The Tumultuous Transition of Power
The death of Emperor Probus in 282 CE marked a turning point in Roman imperial succession. Unlike previous coups driven by military discontent, Probus’ assassination was the act of a small faction—later executed—rather than a widespread revolt. This left the empire in urgent need of leadership. In a decisive military council at Sirmium, high-ranking officers bypassed the Senate entirely, appointing Probus’ trusted Praetorian Prefect, Carus, as the new emperor.
Carus, then training recruits near Cologne, swiftly traveled to Sirmium to assume the throne. Adopting the name Marcus Aurelius Carus, he sought to align himself with his predecessor’s legacy (Probus’ full name was Marcus Aurelius Probus). Yet this symbolic gesture masked deeper tensions: the military elite were already questioning Probus’ policies, particularly his emphasis on agrarian labor for soldiers over active campaigning.
The Persian Campaign: A War of Prestige and Revenge
Carus inherited Probus’ unfinished plans for a Persian expedition, driven by three key motives:
1. Strategic Continuity: Probus had laid the groundwork for the invasion.
2. Avenging Humiliation: The capture of Emperor Valerian by Persia in 260 CE remained a festering wound.
3. Perceived Weakness: The Sassanid Empire, once formidable under rulers like Shapur I, was now weakened by internal strife.
Roman soldiers welcomed the campaign, eager to escape manual labor and lured by the wealth of the East. In late 282, Carus divided imperial authority: his elder son, Carinus, guarded the Western provinces, while his younger son, Numerian, joined the eastern offensive.
Lightning Victory and Sudden Collapse
The 283 CE campaign was startlingly successful. Roman forces crossed the Euphrates, reclaimed northern Mesopotamia, and seized the Sassanid capital, Ctesiphon, with minimal resistance—a testament to Persia’s decline. Yet triumph turned to tragedy during the advance into the Iranian plateau.
### The Death of Carus: An Act of God?
During a summer storm, a lightning strike obliterated the imperial tent, killing Carus instantly. The army, now leaderless, placed Numerian in command, but the inexperienced emperor proved unfit. During the retreat, Numerian was found dead in his carriage, sparking suspicions of foul play.
### The Rise of Diocletian
The investigation into Numerian’s death implicated his father-in-law, Aper—until a guardsman named Diocles (later Diocletian) killed Aper, declaring himself emperor. Facing a potential civil war with Carinus, Diocles marched west. Fortune favored him: Carinus was assassinated by his own troops in 284, leaving Diocletian as sole ruler. His reign would reshape the empire.
Legacy: From Chaos to Reform
The brief era of Carus and his sons underscored the volatility of the 3rd-century crisis:
– Military Autocracy: The Senate’s role in succession evaporated, cementing the army’s dominance.
– Fragile Victories: Persia’s weakness allowed rapid conquests, but without lasting gains.
– Diocletian’s Revolution: The new emperor’s 21-year reign introduced the Tetrarchy, stabilizing—and bureaucratizing—the empire.
Though the deaths of Carus and Numerian remain shrouded in mystery, their downfall paved the way for Rome’s late imperial transformation. The lightning bolt that killed Carus was more than a freak accident—it was a catalyst for history.