Italy: Icon of Aemilianus (207/213-253), 39th Roman emperor, from the book Icones imperatorvm romanorvm (Icons of Roman Emperors), Antwerp, c. 1645

Aemilianus (207/213-253), also known as Aemilian, was commander and governor of the Roman provinces in the Balkans. During the reign of Trebonianus Gallus and his son Volusianus, Aemilian fought a resurgent Goth invasion in the Balkans, and was proclaimed Emperor by his own soldiers for his victories. He immediately marched towards Rome to usurp Gallus and Volusianus, defeating them in battle and ascending to the imperial throne

However, less than three months into his reign, a rival claimant to the throne, Valerian, marched towards Rome. Aemilian's soldiers, not wishing to fight a civil war and fearful of Valerian's larger army, mutinied and assassinated Aemilian, recognising Valerian as the new emperor.

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