VALERIA'NUS, P. LiorNms, Ronian emperor, was descended from an ancient and noble family, and after distinguishing himself in the various posts which he was selected to fill by masters who appreciated his talents and virtues, was chosen for his integrity and accomplishments to the office of censor. Faithful in his allegiance to Gallus, he went to summon the legions of Gaul and Germany to aid the feeble emperor against the usurper ./Emilianus, but arrived too late to save his master. The usurper's troops, awed by the superior numbers of Valerianus's army, and the stern sanctity of their leader's Character, murdered their own chief, and united with their late antagonists in proclaim ing Valerianus emperor, 253 A..n. Valerianus was then about 60 years of age, and feel ing his inability to sustain, unaided, the cares of empire, assumed as colleague his eldest son, Gallienus (q.v.). Valeriamis showed abundant proof during his short reign of most ardent zeal for the prosperity of the empire; but the times required a ruler of more energy and ability; as the grave disturbances which arose throughout the empire, the irresistible irruption of the Franks into Gaul, despite the utmost efforts of Aurelian (q.v.), the devastation of Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, and the archipelago by the Goths,
the advance of the Alemanni to Milan, and the conquest of Syria and Armenia by Shaper, amply testified. The troubles in the c. appearing most threatening, Valerianus went thither in person, and for some time fortune favored his standard; but pursuing his opponents too rashly, he was suddenly attacked by superior numbers at Edessa, completely defeated, and himself, with the remnant of his army, forced to surrender, 260 A.D. The statements regarding the indignities heaped upon the unfortunate captive by his haughty conqueror, are probably false, or, at least, much exaggerated; butof one thing we are assured, that Valerianus languished till death in hopeless captivity; and after his death, his skin was flayed off, stuffed, preserved as a proud trophy of victory, which was invariably exhibited to the ambassadors from Rome to the Sassanide court.