Carausian Empire

Origins

Carausius, a Menapian from the Low Countries, commanded the Roman fleet charged with clearing Frankish and Saxon pirates from the Channel. Accused of keeping captured plunder for himself and sentenced to death by Maximian, he declared himself emperor in 286, taking control of Britain and part of northern Gaul with his fleet.

Rule and society

Carausius ruled from London and Boulogne, presenting himself as a legitimate colleague of Diocletian and Maximian. His coins, minted at London and another British mint, carried slogans such as RESTITVTOR BRITANNIAE and EXPECTATE VENI, quoting Virgil. He kept a strong fleet, repelled Maximian's attempted invasion in 289 and may have begun forts of the Saxon Shore.

Decline and legacy

In 293 Constantius Chlorus captured Boulogne, and Carausius was murdered by his finance minister Allectus, who took power. In 296 Constantius invaded; his prefect Asclepiodotus defeated and killed Allectus, and Constantius entered London, as the Arras medallion celebrates. Britain returned to Roman Britain.