PRO'BUS, MAtters ArmaJts, Roman Emper or A.D. 276-282. He was born at Sirmium. in Pannonia. Probns early entered the army, and had the good fortune to attract the favorable notice of the Emperor. Valerian, who elevated him before the legal period to the rank of tribune. He distinguished himself against the Sarmatians on the Danube, and subsequently in Africa, Egypt, Asia, Germany, and Gaul, winning golden opin ions from Valerian's successors, Gallienus, Clau dius 11., Aurelian, and Tacitus. Br the last named Emperor he was appointed governor of the whole of Home's Asiatic posses:ions. and de clared to be the chief mainstay of the Roman power; and such was the zealous attachment evinced for him by his soldiers, whose respect and love be had won equally by his firm disci pline, by his care in providing for their wants and comforts, and by his liberality in the dis tribution of plunder, that, on the death of Taci tus. they forced him to assume the purple; and his rival, Florianns, having been removed, Probus was enthusiastically hailed Emperor by all classes (A.D. 276). His brief reign was signalized by brilliant and important successes; the Germans. who, since Aurelian's time, bad made Gaul almost a part of Germany, were driven out with enor mous slaughter, pursued into the heart of their own country, compelled to restore their plunder, and to furnish a contingent to the Roman armies.
Pursuing his victorious career, Probus swept the barbarians from the Rlitian, Pannonian, and Thracian frontiers, and forced Persia to agree to a humiliating peace. On his return to Rome, Probus celebrated his achievements by a tri mnph, and then, the external security of the Empire being established, devoted himself to the development of its internal resources. The senate was confirmed in its privileges; liberal encouragement was given to agriculture; numer ous colonies of barbarians were established in thinly peopled spots, that they might adopt a civilized mode of life; and all branches of indus try were protected and promoted. But Probus, as the Romans had now no enemies, employed the ,iadiers as laborers in executing various ex tensive and important works of public utility. Such occupations, considered as degrading by the soldiers, excited among them the utmost irrita tion and discontent, and a body of troops mur dered him October. A.D. 2S2.