Codomannus

Codomannus was a Roman usurper who briefly declared himself Emperor of Rome in the late 1st century AD. Born likely in Judea or the East, little is known of his origins. He is known to have risen to power through the army and gained sufficient influence to challenge the legitimate Emperor, who was Domitian at the time.

Codomannus launched a brief revolt against Domitian in 87 or 88 AD. He issued coins bearing his image with the title of 'Augustus' and gathered an army. While some historians have speculated that Codomannus had an accomplice or additional support within the Roman Empire, no definitive conclusions can be drawn.

The details surrounding Codomannus' revolt are sketchy and come primarily from coins and the works of the historians Suetonius and Dio Cassius. Despite his potential power, the ambition of Codomannus was ultimately unsuccessful, and he falls within a line of failed pretenders to the Roman throne. The success of Domitian's response to the rebellion, which may have involved a public declaration of war followed by suppression, likely contributed to the immediate failure of Codomannus' power grab.

Codomannus' ultimate fate remains unknown. Tradition suggests that he may have bought his way free from the Empire or simply faded back into obscurity. Ultimately, however, he fell into the history books as an important example of the power breakdowns that threatened the Roman Empire during periods of imperial instability in the 1st century AD.