Claudius II Gothicus

Claudius II Gothicus (214–270) was a senior officer under Gallienus. After Gallienus was murdered by his officers in 268, Claudius was proclaimed emperor as the empire faced invasions and the breakaway Gallic Empire held its western provinces.

With his cavalry leader Aurelian he destroyed the Gothic host at the Battle of Naissus (268–269), earning the surname Gothicus, and that autumn routed the Alemanni at Lake Benacus. He also recovered Hispania and the Rhône valley from the Gallic Empire. Preparing a campaign against the Vandals at Sirmium, he died of plague in 270. The Senate deified him, and Aurelian succeeded him after his brother Quintillus's brief reign.