#volusianus

Volusianus,co-emperor (251-253) with Trebonianus Gallus

When Hostilian became junior emperor Gallus elevated his own son Volusianus to caesar. There were also marriage arrangements between the families since the two men were brother-in-laws. As mentioned earlier Hostilian died in November 251 and consequently Volusianus was raised to augustus and co-emperor with his father. Both were killed by their own soldiers after an unssuccesful battle against usurper Aemilianus.

When Hostilian died, Trebonianus Gallus replaced him as co-emperor with his own son, Volusianus. Nice and simple.

Gallus only had time to do two things, really. First, he set about taking care of the plague. He couldn't much about the disease itself, but he did what he could to take care of its victims, including the dead--he made sure everyone maintained their right to their preferred burial practices, instead of corpses just collecting on street corners or whatever. 

The second thing he did was give Aemilius Aemilianus command of the army to fight the Goths. It was a good idea, insofar as Aemelianus won. It was a bad idea insofar as the army immediately decided Aemelianus should be emperor. 

My favorite thing about Trebonianus Gallus is hardly a distinction, but--like things weren't bad enough already in terms of security of office, Gallus and Volusianus didn't even get a chance to defeat or succumb to Aemilianus's uprising. Their own soldiers murdered them instead.