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exist between the two, the apparent differences in sources rendered them both unique. A record of the
earliest period of Rome was found in Origo gentis romanae (Origin of the Roman Nation) and the era of
the Kings and the Republic was treated in his De viris illustribus (On Famous Men), using as its sources
Hyginus and Livy.
¤ AUREOLUS, MANIUS ACILIUS (d. 268 A.D.) A cavalry commander under Gallienus (253-268
A.D.). From Dacia, he came to the attention of the emperor sometime during 257, when Gallienus was
searching for a commander for his new central cavalry corps. Aureolus was given the post and a force of
horsemen stationed in Mediolanum (Milan) for use as a flying detachment for the frontiers. In 258, the
baptism of fire for this unit came in the campaigns against the Alamanni, who threatened Italy itself,
invading through Raetia. Just outside of Mediolanum the barbarians were routed.
In 260, two usurpers were crushed, Ingenius in Pannonia and then Regalianus in Upper Pannonia.
Aureolus now received considerable liberty in his command, for a subordinate, Domitianus, was
dispatched to crush the family of the quartermaster in Thrace, Macrianus, who were in revolt. In 268,
while Gallienus was away on campaign, Aureolus rebelled while in charge of the Italian defenses.
Gallienus marched back to face him, laid siege to Mediolanum, but then was assassinated. Aureolus
surrendered to one of the assassins, M. Aurelius Claudius, but was executed immediately.
¤ AUREUS Imperial coin of Rome; its standard issue gold currency from the time of Julius Caesar to the
reign of Constantine the Great. Caesar introduced the coin around
49 B.C., and it developed a value approximately equal to 25 denarii and 100 sestertii. After Constantine the
Great, the aureus declined in worth as a gold piece and was replaced by the solidus.
¤ AUSONIUS, DECIMUS MAGNUS (fl. 4th century A.D.) Poet, consul and governor of Gaul (see
GALLIA). Ausonius grew up in Burdigala (Bordeaux), receiving his education in rhetoric and grammar
while studying in his native area and Tolosa (Toulouse). His teaching became renowned, and Emperor
Valentinian I sought his aid in tutoring his son and heir, Gratian. Ausonius became a powerful advisor, and
in 375, when Gratian succeeded to the throne, he was given a Praetorian prefectship with control of Gaul,
followed in 379 by a consulship. Ausonius remained a fixture at court but was eventually
challenged for imperial attention by St. Ambrose. With Gratian's murder in 383, Ausonius retired to
Bordeaux and to his poetry and correspondence. He was a prolific poet and writer. There were poems,
often collected (Ephemeris and Parentalia) or individual (Mosella). His other notable works included the
Ordo Nobilium Urbium, a collection of articles on great cities.
¤ AUXILIARIES See LEGIONS.
¤ AVARICUM, SIEGE OF Bloody event in 52 B.C., during Julius Caesar's GALLIC WARS, that was
a temporary inconvenience to the Romans in the conquest of Gaul. During an uprising in unpacified
Gaul, led by the chieftain Vercingetorix, Caesar moved quickly to crush all opposition. One of his targets
was the Biturigan city of Avaricum. The local tribes decided to resist openly and prepared the city for a
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