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The rise and demise of Marcus Annius Florianus (d. 276 AD) epitomizes the Roman Empire’s political and military turmoil in 3rd century AD. History would have eschewed Florian except for the surprise 275 AD ascension of his elderly half brother, Tacitus, and his own appointment to the post of Praetorian Prefect. Tacitus and Florian took over an Empire with promising future prospects, thanks to the prodigious military efforts of former Augustus Aurelian. However, Tacitus and Florian also inherited a major problem. Aurelian died before be could carry out his grandiose plans to invade Persia, leaving a massive army of Gothic recruits in waiting. The bored and unemployed Goths decided to raid Pontus, Cappadocia, and Cilicia. Florian was still fighting the Goths in the summer of 276 AD (only several months later) when news arrived that Tacitus died, under uncertain circumstances. Not surprisingly, the eastern troops decided Florian deserved the purple.
Subsequently, most of the provinces agreed. Back in Rome, the Senate also approved Florian’s appointment, and, once again, it was time for the Roman mints to strike coins advertising a new Emperor. This antoninianus, produced in Rome’s 4th officina sometime between July - August 276 AD, provides an example. The obverse depicts a radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Florian, and the reverse portrays the popular motif of Salus, the Roman goddess of safety, wellbeing, and other related concepts. (Given the formulaic style and rapid response, it is amusing to wonder if weary engravers kept dies in reserve, nearly finished except for the Emperor’s visage, to be completed when they received a physiognomic model of their next imperial leader.)
Although Florian gained the support of Rome and many provinces, the troops in Egypt and Syria preferred their own general, namely Probus, to lead the Empire. Florian had no choice but to address his northward approaching contender. Turning aside from the Goths for the moment, Florian led his forces through the Cilician Gates into Tarsus, where he awaited Probus’ advancing army.
It was still summer, and Tarsus’ heat and humidity proved excruciating. Florian’s troops, unlike those serving under Probus, were unaccustomed to such extreme conditions. The shrewd Probus, after an initial skirmish, decided to – literally - let his enemies sweat it out. Although Florian held the numerical advantage, over time his sweltering forces were convinced to avoid another bloody civil war, and took matters into their own hands. Florian’s troops, only three months after embracing their general as Augustus, now willingly murdered him.
Coin Details: ROMAN EMPIRE, Florian, AD 276, Antoninianus (22mm, 3.07 g, 12h), Rome mint, 4th officina, 1st emission, July-August AD 276, NGC Grade: Ch XF, Strike: 4/5, Surface: 5/5, Obverse: Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right,IMP C FLORIANVS AVG, Reverse: Salus standing left, holding scepter and feeding from patera a serpent rising from altar to left, SALVS AVG, XXIΔ in exergue, References: RIC V 40; BN 1901-3.