Proculus

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Proculus was a Roman usurper, who took the purple against Emperor Probus in 280.

Probably Proculus had family connection with the Franks, to whom he turned in vain when his bid for imperial power was failing. He lived in Albingaunum. His ancestors had been brigands and were the source of his vast wealth. He was able to arm 2000 slaves of his own latifundia after seizing imperial office in the West. He was married to Samso and he had at least one son (his name was Herennianus).

Proculus was an ambitious soldier and when in 280 he was asked by the people of Lugdunum (Lyon) who had started a rebellion against Emperor Probus to take the purple, he accepted, proclaiming himself joint emperor with Bonosus.

On his return from fighting the Sassanids in Syria, Probus forced Proculus to retreat north. After failing to find support among the Franks, he was betrayed by them and handed over to Probus. Probus had Proculus killed (ca. 281), but spared his family " with his accustomed moderation, and spared the fortunes as well as the lives of their innocent families." (Gibbon, I.12)

There exists a letter by Proculus that was cited by Gibbon and that is probably fictitious but nevertheless interesting:

Proculus Maeciano adfini salutum dicit. centum ex Sarmatia virgines cep, ex his una nocte decem inivi; omnes tamen, quod in me erat, mulieres intra dies quindecim reddidi.

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