Marinianus, successeur désigné de Gallien ?

Abstract

The issue of the legitimacy and continuity of the imperial power was a serious issue after 260. After Valerianus was captured and Saloninus killed, the imperial college, which had encompassed three generations, came to be restricted to Gallienus and the empress. However, the reverse of a Gallienus medallion depicts a quadriga moving to the right with a man standing, putting his hand on the shoulder of the child standing in front of him. Each of them is crowned by a Victory. The legend is defaced and difficult to read, but does, however, mention a character by the name of Marinianus, who must have been a consul in 268. The correct identification of the child represented and the correct interpretation of the depicted scene would make Marinianus not the third child of Gallienus, but very likely a cousin or nephew of the princeps. Thus, he is to be seen as the princeps' chosen successor, who guarantees dynastic continuity.