AD 270-275
The empire reunited

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The emperor Aurelian comes to power in AD 270 and is immediately faced with an invasion by several Germanic tribes, including the Vandals, some of which advance into northern Italy. Although they are driven back, the fear of future attacks is sufficient to lead the emperor to start work on the Aurelian Wall at Rome – the first time since the Republic that it has been felt necessary to have a defensive wall around the city. In AD 272-273, he crushes the secessionist Syrians in the east, sacking the city of Palmyra, which never recovers its former glory (see Movers and Shakers). In AD 274, he brings to an end the secessionist Gallic empire in the west. The triumph celebrated in Rome that year is said to be the most spectacular ever staged in the city. Aurelian is killed in a plot led by his private secretary in AD 275. Between then and AD 284, Rome is ruled by six emperors: Tacitus, Florianus, Probus, Carus, Numerian and Carinus.

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