Galliēnus Publius Lucinius

, a son of the emperor Valerian. He reigned conjointly with his father for seven years, and ascended the throne as sole emperor, A.D. 260. In his youth he showed his activity and military character, in an expedition against the Germans and Sarmatæ; but when he came to the purple, he delivered himself up to pleasure and indolence. His time was spent in the greatest debauchery; and he indulged himself in the gro est and most lascivious manner, and his palace displayed a scene, at once of effeminacy and shame, voluptuousne and immorality. He often appeared with his hair powdered with golden dust; and enjoyed tranquillity at home, while his provinces abroad were torn by civil quarrels and seditions. He heard of the lo of a rich province, and of the execution of a malefactor, with the same indifference; and when he was apprised that Egypt had revolted, he only observed, that he could live without the produce of Egypt. He was of a disposition naturally inclined to raillery and the ridicule of others. When his wife had been deceived by a jeweller, Gallienus ordered the malefactor to be placed in the circus, in expectation of being exposed to the ferocity of a lion. While the wretch trembled at the expectation of instant death, the executioner, by order of the emperor, let loose a capon upon him. An uncommon laugh was raised upon this, and the emperor observed, that he who had deceived others should expect to be deceived himself. In the midst of these ridiculous diversions, Gallienus was alarmed by the revolt of two of his officers, who had a umed the imperial purple. This intelligence roused him from his lethargy; he marched against his antagonists, and put all the rebels to the sword, without showing the least favour either to rank, sex, or age. These cruelties irritated the people and the army; emperors were elected, and no le than 30 tyrants aspired to the imperial purple. Gallienus resolved boldly to oppose his adversaries; but in the midst of his preparations he was a a inated at Milan by some of his officers, in the 50th year of his age, A.D. 268.