He had been summoned to his aid by the late emperor, Gallus; but, arriving
too late for his support, he determined to avenge him. Both AEmilianus and
Valerian recognised the authority of the senate, and professed to act
under that sanction; but it was the soldiery who cut the knot, as usual,
by the sword. AEmilianus was encamped at Spoleto; but as the enemy drew
near, his soldiers, shrinking no doubt from a contest with veteran troops,
made their peace by murdering the new emperor, and Valerian was elected in
his stead. This prince was already an old man at the time of his election;
but he lived long enough to look back upon the day of his inauguration as
the blackest in his life. Memorable were the calamities which fell upon
himself, and upon the empire, during his reign. He began by associating to
himself his son Gallienus; partly, perhaps, for his own relief, partly to
indulge the senate in their steady plan of dividing the imperial
authority. The two emperors undertook the military defence of the empire,
Gallienus proceeding to the German frontier, Valerian to the eastern.
Under Gallienus, the Franks began first to make themselves heard of.
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