Personal Reflections: Why I Chose Gallienus’ Era
When I tell people I write novels set in the 3rd century AD, I often get puzzled looks. Why not Julius Caesar? Why not Augustus, or Constantine, or the fall of Rome in the 5th century? Those [...]
Gallienus as Sole Emperor
When Emperor Valerian was captured by the Persians in AD 260, Rome was left stunned. Never before had a reigning emperor been taken alive by a foreign enemy. In that moment of crisis, his son [...]
Writing About Rome’s Enemies
When we think of Rome’s enemies, we often picture barbarians storming the frontiers or Persians marching with exotic banners. In the 3rd century AD, those enemies weren’t just at the gates — they [...]
The Barbarian Invasions of the 3rd Century
When most people think of Rome’s enemies, they picture the final fall in the 5th century — Vandals in North Africa, Goths at the gates of Rome. But the 3rd century AD was already a testing ground [...]
The Military Reforms of Emperor Gallienus
If Rome in the 3rd century was a ship taking on water, then Emperor Gallienus was the captain improvising repairs while steering through a storm. He’s often dismissed in ancient sources as a [...]
