Macrianus Major

Who was Macrianus Major?

Fulvius Macrianus, also called Macrianus Major, was a Roman usurper. He was one of Valerian's fiscal officers. More precisely, sources refer to him as being in charge of the whole state accounts or, in the language of a later age, as Count of the Treasury and the person in charge of markets and provisions. It seems almost certain that he was an Equestrian. The Historia Augusta claims that he was the foremost of Valerian's generals, but that is a gross exaggeration, if not entirely fictitious.

He followed Valerian during his ultimately catastrophic campaign against the Persians in 259 or 260; however, he remained at Samosata during the fatal battle of Edessa and his role in the events before and after the battle is questionable. After Valerian's capture by Sassanid Emperor Shapur I, Valerian's son Gallienus became sole emperor, but was occupied with his own problems in the West. Macrianus grabbed the opportunity. With the support of Callistus, Valerian's officer, and with the influence that possession of the treasury of Valerian brought, Macrianus managed to have his two sons Macrianus and Quietus elevated to the throne. He himself was not able to assume the purple because he was deformed in one of his legs.