Felicissimus
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Felicissimus (d. 271?) was a Ancient Roman public officer, under the reign of Emperor Aurelian. He is famous because he led an uprise of mint workers against the emperor, but was defeated and killed, possibly in 274, but more probably in 271.
Felicissimus was a rationalis, chief of state treasury. One of the responsibilities of the rationalis was to administer the imperial mints. The workers of the mint in Rome had misappropriated bullion for the coinage and Felicissimus was held responsible. He started an uprising on the Caelian Hill, where he was defeated and killed with the greatest difficulty, with 7,000 soldiers were killed during this revolt (Aurelius Victor xxxv 6; Historia Augusta, Aurelianus, xxxviii 2-4). It is possible that this uprise was somehow connected with the senatorial and equestrian classes, as Aurelian executed several senators.
The fact that the mint of Rome was inactive for a short time before the monetary reform of 274 could be a consequence of this revolt.
References
- "Felicissimus", s.v. ["Aurelian"], De Imperatoribus Romanis site.
Sources
- Aurelius Victor, De Caesaribus, 35,6;
- Eutropius, Breviarium historiae Romanae, ix,14;
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