Aurelian

Aurelian (fully Lucius DOMITIUS-VALERIANUS AURELIANUS), Roman emperor, was born about A.D. 212, at Sirmium, in Pannonia, or, according to some, in Dacia or Moesia, of very humble parentage. He gradually rose as a soldier under Claudius, whom he succeeded in August 270, by the proclamation of the legions. He reigned until March 275, with great military vigor, subduing. Zenobia and the other Oriental powers. His civil administration, however, was harsh, and he is said to have been a persecutor of the Christians. See Smith, Dict. of Class. Biog. s.v.