Silvered Antoninianus, A.D. 260-268, Antioch, 21.8mm, 3.64g, 0°, RIC Vi 667.
Obv: GALLIENVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VIRTVS AVG. Virtus, helmeted, standing left resting hand on shield and holding spear.
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Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus, commonly known as Gallienus, was Roman Emperor with his father Valerian from 253 to 260, and alone from 260 to 268. He took control of the empire at a time when it was undergoing great crisis and revolt. His record in dealing with those crises is mixed, as he won a number of military victories but was unable to keep much of his realm from seceding. Gallienus has not been dealt with well by ancient historians, partly due to the secession of Gaul and his inability to get it back. Some modern scholars, however, now see him in a more positive light.

Gallienus was the father of some useful reforms. His contribution to military history was the first commissioning of a cavalry only unit which could be dispatched anywhere within the empire within short order. The biographer Aurelius Victor also reports that Gallienus forbade senators from becoming military commanders. This policy undermined senatorial power, as more reliable equestrian commanders rose to prominence. In portraying himself with the attributes of the gods on his coinage, Gallienus began the final separation of the Emperor from his subjects. One of the last rulers of Rome to be theoretically called "Princeps" or First Citizen, Gallienus' shrewd self-promotion assisted in paving the way for those who would be addressed with the words "Dominus et Deus" (Lord and God).

In 268, Gallienus' authority was challenged by Aureolus, commander of the cavalry stationed in Mediolanum (Milan). Aureolus was clearly defeated and driven back to Milan. Then Gallienus laid siege to the city, but he was murdered during the siege. There are different accounts of the murder but the sources agree on the fact that most of Gallienus' officials wanted him dead. Reportedly, on hearing the news of Gallienus death, the Senate at Rome ordered the execution of his family and their supporters, just before receiving a message from Claudius to spare their lives and deify his predecessor.