Did Roman Britain have its own emperor?

 

 

Carausius coin with his face on one side and lion on the reverse | © Panairjdde

History Extra

 

Roman Emperors spent centuries trying to get a foothold in Britain, and keep hold of it, but one man tried a different approach to gain power.

In AD 286, Rome issued orders for the execution of one of their naval commanders, a man called Carausius who had been tasked with clearing the Channel of pirates but who was suspected of collaborating with them in order to line his own pockets.
Carausius got wind of this and responded by declaring himself Emperor of Britain and northern Gaul (France).
To pay his forces and promote his rule Carausius minted thousands of coins. Many of these have been uncovered in archaeological excavations and depict a thick-set bruiser of a man with a beard and a double chin.
Many of what we now call the ‘Forts of the Saxon Shore’ – Roman forts like Pevensey or Portchester - may have been built or at least strengthened by Carausius, not to keep out Saxon raiders but to defend his independent empire.
In AD 293, Carausius was assassinated by Allectus, his finance minister. Allectus ruled for three years until Rome mounted an invasion, defeated and killed him and Britain’s brief independent empire came to an end.
Answered by one of our Q&A experts, Julian Humphrys. For more fascinating questions by Julian, and the rest of our panel, pick up a copy of History Revealed! Available in print and for digital devices.