A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

a native of Gaul, whose biography has been written by Vopiscus, distinguished himself so highly by military achievements in his native country, in Spain and Africa, that he was regarded as one of the most able officers in the empire, and was appointed by Aurelian commander of the Eastern frontier, with express orders that he should never visit Egypt, for it was feared that the presence of an active and ambitious Gaul among a population notorious for turbulence and violence might lead to disorder or insurrection. The far-seeing sagacity of this injunction was fully proved, for when, at a later period, during the reign of Probus, Saturninus entered Alexandria, the crowd at once saluted him as Augustus. Flying from such a dangerous compliment, he returned to Syria; but concluding, upon reflection, that his safety was already compromised, with great reluctance he permitted himself to be invested with a purple robe stripped from a statue of Venus, and in that attire, surrounded by his troops, received the adoration of the crowd. He was eventually slain by the soldiers of Probus, although the emperor would willingly have spared his life. (Vopiscus, Saturn.)

[W.R]