VALERIAN (Punuus LICTNILTS VALERIAN Roman Emperor A.D. 253-260. He was de scended frem an ancient and noble family, and 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 _EndHalms, but arrived too late to save his master. The usurper's troops murdered their own chief, and united with their late antag onists in proclaiming Valerian Emperor, August, A.D. 253. He was then about 60 years old, and took as colleague his eldest son, Gallienus (q.v.). Valerian 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 irruption of the Franks into Gaul, despite the efforts of Aureli an, 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 the Persian King Sapor (Sha pur), testified. The troubles in the East appear
ing most threatening, Valerian went thither in person, and was for a time successful, but was surprised by superior numbers at Erlessa, was defeated, and with the remnant of his army forced to surrender (A.D. 260). Valerian remained in captivity till his death. The statements regarding the indignities heaped upon the unfortunate captive by his haughty conqueror are probably false, or at least much exagge rated. After his death his skin was flayed off, stuffed, and preserved as a proud trophy of vic tory. which was invariably exhibited to the am bassadors from Rome to the Sassanid. Court.