Roman Empire, Salonina wife of Gallienus, mother of Saloninus and Valerian II (253-268 CE)

The fate of an emperor’s spouse was ultimately tied to the fortunes of her husband, father-in-law and sons. With the capture of her father-in-law, Valerian, by the Persians, the army rebelled against her husband Gallienus on the Rhine and killed her son Saloninus. Earlier around c.258 CE, her other young son Valerian II died in suspicious circumstances in Illyria where he was representing the dynasty. Finally, on the death of her husband, following his defeat in battle, she was also murdered on the orders of the Senate, as they sought to cleanse the throne for the next emperor.

Ancient & Historical, Loose Roman

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