Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi
Encyclopedia
Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi (died 261) was a Roman usurper
, whose existence is questionable, as based only on the unreliable Historia Augusta.
His name was Piso, and is said to be descendant of the gens Calpurnia
and that he received the title Frugi for his severe virtues; he also possibly received the title Thessalicus.
After the death of Valerian
at the hands of the Persians, his successor, Emperor Gallienus
, sent Valens
to suppress the rebellion of the Macriani
in the east. According to the Historia Augusta, Piso was sent by Macrianus (whether he was the elder or younger is not clear) to Achaea
in Greece
to kill Valens. Instead, Piso withdrew to Thessaly
, where he proclaimed himself emperor and was eventually killed by soldiers of Valens.
Roman usurper
Usurpers are individuals or groups of individuals who obtain and maintain the power or rights of another by force and without legal authority. Usurpation was endemic during roman imperial era, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule.The...
, whose existence is questionable, as based only on the unreliable Historia Augusta.
His name was Piso, and is said to be descendant of the gens Calpurnia
Gens Calpurnia
The gens Calpurnia was a plebeian family at Rome, which appears in history during the 3rd century BC. The first of the gens to obtain the consulship was Gaius Calpurnius Piso in 180 BC, but from this time their consulships were very frequent, and the family of the Pisones became one of the most...
and that he received the title Frugi for his severe virtues; he also possibly received the title Thessalicus.
After the death of Valerian
Valerian (emperor)
Valerian , also known as Valerian the Elder, was Roman Emperor from 253 to 260. He was taken captive by Persian king Shapur I after the Battle of Edessa, becoming the only Roman Emperor who was captured as a prisoner of war, resulting in wide-ranging instability across the Empire.-Origins and rise...
at the hands of the Persians, his successor, Emperor Gallienus
Gallienus
Gallienus was Roman Emperor with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, and alone from 260 to 268. He took control of the Empire at a time when it was undergoing great crisis...
, sent Valens
Valens Junior (usurper)
Valens Thessalonicus was a Roman usurper against Roman Emperor Gallienus.Valens was the proconsul of Achaea under Gallienus. When Macrianus rebelled to Gallienus, he met the opposition of Valens, so he sent Piso to put him to death....
to suppress the rebellion of the Macriani
Macriani
Macriani is the name of three Roman usurpers who tried to gain the Roman throne from Emperor Gallienus. They were:*Macrianus Major, the father*Macrianus Minor, first son*Quietus, second son...
in the east. According to the Historia Augusta, Piso was sent by Macrianus (whether he was the elder or younger is not clear) to Achaea
Achaea
Achaea is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of West Greece. It is situated in the northwestern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. The capital is Patras. The population exceeds 300,000 since 2001.-Geography:...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
to kill Valens. Instead, Piso withdrew to Thessaly
Thessaly
Thessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey....
, where he proclaimed himself emperor and was eventually killed by soldiers of Valens.