Carausius

Related Category: Ancient History, Rome: Biographies

(kərôsh´ēəs), d. 293, Gallo-Roman military commander. He was stationed in Gaul, but Emperor Maximian suspected him of conspiring with the Germans and condemned him to death. Carausius fled to Britain and established his rule there, defying attempts to conquer him. Diocletian and Maximian finally recognized (c.289) him as coemperor, and he established his rule in NE Gaul as well as in Britain. In 293, however, Constantius (later Constantius I) defeated him, and he was murdered by one of his own men.