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Procopius (c. 325 - May 27, 366), was the cousin on his mother's side of Julian the Apostate, and offered himself as Roman Emperor. According to Ammianus Marcellinus, he was a native of Cilicia. He took part in the emperor Julian's campaign against the Persian Empire in 363. At the time of Julian's death, there were rumors that he had intended Procopius to be his successor, but when Jovian was elected emperor by the Roman army, Procopius went into hiding to preserve his life. The ancient historians differ on the exact details of Procopius' life in hiding, but agree that he returned to public knowledge at Chalcedon before the house of the senator Strategius suffering from starvation and ignorant of current affairs.
By that time, Jovinus was dead, and Valentinian I shared the purple with his brother Valens. Procopius immediately moved to declare himself emperor. He bribed two legions that were resting at Constantinople to support his efforts, and took control of the imperial city. Shortly after this he proclaimed himself Emperor on September 28September 28 is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years). There are 94 days remaining. Events 480 BC The battle of Salamis is fought between the Persian and Greek navies exact date uncertain 48 BC Pompey the Great is assassinated on orders of King, 365Events Emperor Fei succeeds Emperor Ai as emperor of China. Roman Emperor Valens exiles Athanasius from Alexandria. Basil of Caesarea becomes presbyter of Caesarea. An earthquake devastates Cyrene, Libya. Procopius proclaims himself emperor and takes cont, and quickly took control of the provinces of ThraceThrace is a historical and geographic area in south-east Europe spread over southern Bulgaria, north-eastern Greece, and European Turkey. Thrace borders on three seas: the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Sea of Marmara. History The indigenous population, and later BithyniaBithynia was an ancient province in the northwest of Asia Minor, adjoining the Propontis, the Thracian Bosporus and the Black Sea ( Euxine). According to Strabo it was bounded on the east by the river Sangarius, but the more commonly received division ext.
Valens was left with the task of dealing with this rebel, and over the next months struggled with both cities and units that wavered in their allegiance. Eventually their armies met at Thyatria , and Procopius' forces were defeated. He fled the battlefield, but was betrayed to Valens by two of his remaining followers. Valens had all three executed May 27, 366.
Ancient Romans
