Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor, was born at Sirmium in Pannonia, and entered the army at a very early age. His rise to eminence was brilliant and rapid. While he was still a mere boy, the Emperor Valerian made him a military tribune, and placed him on the ladder of promotion. As he rose in fortune, he increased in ability. His considerate bearing and judicious discipline won the hearts of his subordinates, and his upright character and professional skill secured the esteem of his superiors. There was not a military duty which this admirable youth did not perform in a manner which demanded the greatest rewards and challenged the highest praise. His personal valour on the field gained bracelets, spears, the mural and civic crowns, and other badges of soldierly merit. His campaigns in Africa, Egypt, Arabia, Scythia, Persia, Germany, and Gaul, raised him high in the estimation of several successive emperors. In the reign of Tacitus especially he was greatly in favour, and was appointed commander-in-chief of all the eastern provinces. At length, on the death of that emperor in 276, he was brought forward as a candidate for the purple; his rival, Florianus, soon fell before him, and he was declared emperor with the united consent of the army, the people, and the Senate.

An arduous task now lay before Probus. He set himself with all his characteristic energy and rapidity to reform and consolidate the empire, which was distracted by discordant elements from within, and impaired by hostile agencies from without. His first measure was to establish peace throughout his dominions. Placing himself at the head of a mighty army, and advancing eastward from the coasts of Gaul, he began to overwhelm all opposition with one sweeping campaign. No foe could resist his impetuous onward march. The barbarian invaders of the Gallic province were cut to pieces before his terrific onslaught, and fled across the borders, leaving 400,000 slain. The enemies beyond the Rhine, catching the rumours of his triumphs as he advanced across the continent, became paralysed with fear. Nine of the most powerful German princes threw themselves down at his feet, and submitted to be hemmed in within their own territories by a line of posts. The power of the vagrant Sarmatians was shattered before him; the Goths upon the Thracian borders were awed into submission; and no hostile tribe was left unsubdued in the whole of Europe. No sooner had that campaign been completed than he hastened to Asia Minor to storm the robber Isaurians in their mountain fastnesses. A long time had not elapsed before he was in Ethiopia, suppressing the rebellion of the savage Blemmayes. He then repaired to Alexandria, and checked the revolt of his own general Saturninus. At length he brought his wars to a conclusion in 280, by quelling the mutiny of his two officers Bonosus and Proculus in Gaul. After Probus had thus effected peace, his next design was to strengthen it by promoting industry. Accordingly a vigorous system of policy was set on foot to encourage honest labour. Predatory tribes were removed into the heart of strange countries, where circumstances might compel them to lay aside their warlike habits, and to have recourse to peaceful pursuits. Lands, cattle, and implements were also given to those Probusians who were inclined to follow husbandry. Nor were these measures tried upon civilians alone. The soldiers likewise were subjected to toll, in order that they might preserve their hardihood and discipline. The whole empire in fact seemed to be acquiring internal prosperity when an event occurred which removed the originator and administrator of this peaceful policy. It happened on a broiling August day of 282, that Probus stood urging on the soldiers while they were engaged in the unhealthy and toilsome task of draining the marshes of Sirium. The drudgery of the work and his severe exactions threw the sweating troops into a ferment of discontent and indignation. All at once they flung down their ignoble tools, seized their warlike weapons, and rose in one wild mass of confusion and mutiny. It was no purpose that the emperor took refuge in a strong tower. The fury of his soldiers was irresistible; the tower was forced, and a thousand swords were plunged into his body.