A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

the brother of the emperor M. Aurelius Claudius Gothicus, was elevated to the throne by the troops whom he commanded at Aquileia, in A. D. 270. But as the army at Sirmium, where Claudius died, had proclaimed Aurelian emperor, Quintillus put an end to his own life, seeing himself deserted by his own soldiers, to whom the rigour of his discipline had given offence. Most of the ancient writers say that he reigned only seventeen days; but since we find a great number of his coins, it is probable that he enjoyed the imperial dignity for a few months, as Zosimus states. He had two children. His character is said to have been unblemished, and his praises are sounded in the same lofty strain as those of his brother. [See Vol. I. p. 777.] (Trebell. Poll. Claud. 10, 12, 13; Eutrop. 9.12; Vict. Epit. 34; Zosim. 1.47; Eckhel, vol. vii. pp. 477, 478.)