The Revolt of Julius Sabinus (69 CE): A Failed Bid for the Throne of Gaul

During the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors (69 CE), Julius Sabinus, a Gallic nobleman, sought to exploit Rome’s instability by declaring himself Emperor of Gaul. His rebellion in Gallia Belgica was inspired by the ongoing Batavian Revolt on the Rhine, but it was poorly organized and quickly crushed.

Sabinus’ Claim to Power and the Revolt

• Sabinus claimed descent from Julius Caesar, hoping this would legitimize his rule over Gaul.
• He declared himself Emperor, attempting to rally Gallic support for independence from Rome.
• However, his forces were badly organized and lacked military strength.
• The Sequani, a tribe still loyal to Rome, easily defeated his rebellion before it gained momentum.

Sabinus' Faked Death and Escape

• Facing certain execution, Sabinus devised an elaborate escape plan.
• He told his servants he would commit suicide, then burned down the villa he was staying in to make it appear he had perished.
• Instead of dying, he hid in a cellar, known only to his wife, Epponina, and a few loyal servants.
• This ruse allowed him to evade Roman authorities, but his time in hiding was not permanent.

Aftermath and Legacy

• Julius Sabinus’ rebellion failed to inspire wider support, unlike the Batavian Revolt led by Julius Civilis.
• His story, however, became legendary, particularly because of the devotion of his wife, Epponina, who remained by his side.
• Eventually, after nine years in hiding, Sabinus was discovered, captured, and executed by Emperor Vespasian.
• Epponina’s loyalty to her husband became a romanticized tale of devotion in later Roman accounts.

The failed uprising of Julius Sabinus demonstrated that not all revolts against Rome found widespread backing, especially when local tribal elites still favored Roman rule. His dramatic escape and tragic end, however, ensured that his name would be remembered in Roman history.

The Fate of Julius Sabinus and Epponina: A Tragic End (78 CE)

Following the failure of the Lingones' revolt, their territory was detached from Belgic Gaul and placed under the direct military control of the Roman army on the Rhine. This reorganization led to its incorporation into the province of Germania Superior, ensuring that any future rebellious tendencies were carefully monitored by Roman forces.

Epponina’s Double Life and the Hidden Sabinus

• Epponina, the devoted wife of Julius Sabinus, lived a double life for many years, publicly mourning her "deceased" husband while secretly hiding him.
• Sabinus, having faked his own death after his failed rebellion, remained in hiding for nearly a decade, aided by Epponina and a handful of loyal supporters.
• Incredibly, Epponina traveled to Rome at one point, with Sabinus disguised as her slave, demonstrating her boldness and commitment to the deception.
• She even gave birth to two sons by Sabinus, raising a family in secrecy.

Their Arrest and Trial Before Vespasian (78 CE)

• Eventually, their deception was uncovered, and both Sabinus and Epponina were arrested and brought before Emperor Vespasian in Rome.

• Epponina pleaded for her husband’s life, but her appeals were ignored.

• When her pleas failed, she openly berated Vespasian, so much so that the emperor, angered by her defiance, ordered her execution alongside Sabinus.

• This act was widely condemned, even among Roman historians. Plutarch later wrote:

  "In the whole of his reign no darker deed than this, none more odious in the sight of heaven, was committed."
  (Plutarch, On Lovers)

The Fate of Their Sons

• After the execution of their parents, their two sons were separated as a form of punishment and control:
  • One was sent to Delphi (Greece).
  • The other was sent to Egypt, a common practice for the relocation of politically dangerous figures.

Legacy of Epponina and Julius Sabinus

• Epponina’s loyalty and sacrifice became legendary, symbolizing devotion, resistance, and tragedy in the face of Rome’s merciless rule.
• Their story was remembered as one of the most dramatic and heartbreaking examples of Roman political retribution.
• Even in death, Epponina and Sabinus' tale lived on, showing the personal cost of rebellion and the unforgiving nature of the empire toward its enemies.

Despite their tragic end, their story remains one of the most powerful examples of love and resistance in Roman history.

Constantius Chlorus’ Campaigns Against the Franks, Saxons, and Alamanni (Late 3rd Century CE)

Constantius Chlorus, a highly capable military commander, took decisive action to secure the western provinces of the Roman Empire, eliminating Frankish and Saxon piracy and defeating the Alamanni in key battles in 298 CE. His victories helped to restore stability to Gaul and reinforce the Rhine frontier, securing his reputation as one of Rome’s greatest generals of the Tetrarchic era.

1. Suppressing Frankish and Saxon Piracy

• The Franks and Saxons, taking advantage of the Crisis of the Third Century, had become notorious for their raids along the coasts of Gaul and Britannia.
• Constantius launched naval and military campaigns to eliminate their bases and prevent further attacks.
• His efforts secured Roman trade routes in the North Sea and the English Channel, stabilizing maritime commerce.

2. Victories Over the Alamanni (298 CE)

• The Alamanni, a powerful Germanic confederation, had been raiding and threatening Roman Gaul.

• In 298 CE, Constantius defeated them in two key battles:

  • Longones (near modern Langres, France) – A strategic victory that expelled Alamannic forces from central Gaul.
  • Vindonissa (modern Windisch, Switzerland) – A major confrontation that further weakened the Alamanni, securing the Rhine frontier.

• These victories reaffirmed Roman dominance in northern and eastern Gaul, reducing the threat of Germanic incursions.

3. Strengthening Rome’s Rhine Defenses

• Following his victories, Constantius focused on fortifying the Rhine frontier, building:

  • New fortresses and military outposts to deter future invasions.
  • Stronger defensive positions along key river crossings and trade routes.

• His military successes secured Gaul for the Roman Empire, preventing major Germanic invasions for decades.

Conclusion: A Master of Defensive Warfare

• Constantius Chlorus' successes against the Franks, Saxons, and Alamanni solidified Rome’s control over the West.
• His ability to eliminate piracy, crush invasions, and reinforce key borders made him a critical figure in stabilizing the empire after the Crisis of the Third Century.
• His military reputation ensured that after Diocletian’s abdication in 305 CE, he was recognized as Augustus of the West, setting the stage for the rise of his son, Constantine the Great.

Constantius Chlorus’ campaigns in Gaul and along the Rhine frontier played a key role in restoring Roman strength, allowing the empire to survive and adapt in the centuries to come.

Cardinal de Givry, a patron of architecture, also commissions tapestries on the subject of Mammes of Caesarea who is venerated in Langres.

Jean Cousin père receives a commission from the cardinal in 1543, for tapestries depicting the life of St. Hammes for the Cathedral of Langres.

These display the Mannerist influence of the School of Fontainebleau.