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Quintillus was the younger brother of Claudius II Gothicus. He was placed in command of a unit of cavalry whose duty it was to protect Northern Italy from attack by the Goths. After Claudius II died of plague, the Senate elevated Quintillus to the imperial throne. He kept his headquarters at Aquileia and consecrated his brother, declaring him a god.
In the meantime, a very popular general named Aurelian revolted and, with the support of his troops, claimed the throne. Aurelian marched on Aquileia, intending to depose Quintillus. Quintillus defended his throne courageously but was defeated by Aureilan’s much larger force. Rather than face capture, humiliation, and execution., Quintillius chose to commit suicide.
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