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Carus
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Carus
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Overlooking the Roman Forum with Temple of Saturn in Rome, Italy
The Roman Empire
Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon in Coronation Robes or Napoleon I Emperor of France, 1804 by Baron Francois Gerard or Baron Francois-Pascal-Simon Gerard, from the Musee National, Chateau de Versailles.
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Quick Facts
In full:
Marcus Aurelius Carus
Died:
283
Title / Office:
emperor (282-283), Roman Empire
Notable Family Members:
son Carinus
son Numerian
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Carus
Carus Carus, portrait on a coin.

Carus

Roman emperor
Also known as: Marcus Aurelius Carus
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
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History

Carus (died 283) was a Roman emperor from 282 to 283.

Carus was probably from either Gaul or Illyricum and had served as prefect of the guard to the emperor Probus (276–282), whom he succeeded. Like his predecessors, Carus adopted the name Marcus Aurelius as a part of his imperial title. After a brief Danube campaign he led his troops against the Sāsānians, penetrating beyond the Tigris, where he died suddenly and mysteriously, allegedly struck by lightning. His sons Numerian and Carinus succeeded him.

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