# Regalianus

> Roman emperor or usurper (died 260/261)

**Wikidata**: [Q333799](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q333799)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regalian)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/regalianus

## Summary
Regalianus was a Roman emperor or usurper who lived in the 3rd century CE and died around 260/261 CE. He is primarily known for his brief claim to imperial power during a period of political instability in the Roman Empire. His historical significance lies in his role as a figure of rebellion and military ambition during the Crisis of the Third Century.

## Biography
- Born: Approximately 250 CE (place unknown)
- Nationality: Ancient Rome
- Education: Not documented
- Known for: Brief reign or claim to power as a Roman usurper-emperor
- Employer(s): Roman military and political institutions (affiliation)
- Field(s): Politics, military leadership

## Contributions
Regalianus is not known for any lasting intellectual or scientific contributions. His primary historical role was as a claimant to the Roman imperial throne during a period of civil unrest. He participated in or led a short-lived revolt against central Roman authority, aligning himself with regional power struggles that characterized the mid-3rd century Roman Empire.

## FAQs
### What is Regalianus known for?
Regalianus is known as a Roman usurper-emperor who briefly claimed imperial authority around 260 CE. He is associated with the political and military turbulence of the Crisis of the Third Century.

### Was Regalianus a legitimate Roman Emperor?
Regalianus is generally considered a usurper rather than a legitimate emperor. He rose to power during a time of instability and was not recognized by the central Roman administration.

### When did Regalianus live and die?
He was born around 250 CE and died in approximately 260 or 261 CE.

### What role did Regalianus play in Roman history?
He played a minor but symbolic role in the chaotic period of Roman history known as the Crisis of the Third Century, during which numerous individuals claimed the imperial title in rapid succession.

### Are there any surviving records of Regalianus's reign?
There are limited historical records, mostly from numismatic evidence and later historical reconstructions. Some sources refer to him under variant names such as Regillianus or Religilianus.

## Why They Matter
Regalianus represents a microcosm of the broader instability that plagued the Roman Empire during the third century. His brief appearance in the historical record underscores the fragmentation of imperial authority and the rise of competing claimants. Though his individual impact was limited, his story contributes to the understanding of how decentralized power and military opportunism shaped the empire during its most turbulent era.

## Notable For
- Claiming the title of Roman Emperor during a period of political instability
- Being associated with the broader historical context of the Crisis of the Third Century
- Historical mention in numismatic and late antique literary sources
- Use of variant names such as Regillianus and Religilianus in different historical traditions

## Body

### Early Life and Origins
Regalianus was born around 250 CE, though the exact location of his birth is unknown. He emerged during the reign of Emperor Gallienus, a period marked by civil wars, barbarian invasions, and rapid turnover of imperial leadership. His early life is not well-documented, but he likely came from a background connected to the Roman military or senatorial class, given his later political aspirations.

### Political Ascent and Usurpation
Regalianus rose to prominence during the Crisis of the Third Century, a period in which the Roman Empire faced constant internal and external threats. He claimed the imperial title around 260 CE, likely in opposition to the central authority of Gallienus. His rise was part of a broader trend of military leaders and provincial governors asserting independence during times of weakened central control.

He is sometimes referred to by variant names such as Regillianus or Religilianus, indicating discrepancies in ancient sources and numismatic evidence. These names suggest that he was recognized in multiple traditions, though inconsistently chronicled.

### Death and Historical Context
Regalianus died around 260 or 261 CE, likely as a result of political or military conflict. His death marked the end of his brief claim to power. He was part of a succession of short-lived emperors and usurpers during the third century, a period in which the Roman state faced near-constant fragmentation.

### Legacy and Historical References
While Regalianus did not author works or establish long-standing institutions, his actions contributed to the historical narrative of a fractured empire. Numismatic evidence, such as the coin "Regalianus Antoninianus," provides some of the clearest material links to his brief reign. His story is preserved in part through these artifacts and in later Byzantine and Renaissance-era historical reconstructions.

Regalianus’s life and death illustrate the volatility of leadership during the mid-third century and the ease with which military commanders could assert imperial claims. Though his rule was not long-lasting, his participation in the era's political instability contributes to the broader understanding of Roman imperial collapse.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. CERL Thesaurus