Aurelian, properly Lucius Domitius Aurelianus c.215-275AD
Roman emperor

He was born of humble origins in Dacia or Pannonia. He rose through the army and on the death of Claudius II (AD270), was elected emperor by the army, with whom he was very popular. He repulsed the Alemanni and Marcomanni, and erected new walls around Rome. He resigned Dacia to the Goths, and made the Danube the frontier of the empire. He defeated Zenobia, Regent of Palmyra, and destroyed the city (273). He quelled a rebellion in Egypt, and recovered Gaul from Tetricus, his rival emperor. By restoring good discipline in the army, order in domestic affairs, and political unity to the Roman dominions, he was entitled Restitutor Orbis - 'Restorer of the World'. Although a harsh disciplinarian, he increased the distribution of free food in Rome. He was assassinated by his own officers near Byzantium during a campaign against the Persians.