Marcellus (usurper)

Marcellus was a Roman military commander and usurper during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantius II. He likely held the rank of magister officiorum (Master of Offices), a high-ranking official in the late Roman Empire responsible for the administration of the imperial court and the conduct of official correspondence.

In 351 AD, amidst the civil war between Constantius II and the usurper Magnentius, Marcellus launched his own bid for imperial power. Our knowledge of his revolt is fragmented and largely derived from the writings of the historian Ammianus Marcellinus.

Marcellus’s motivations are not entirely clear, but discontent with Constantius II's rule and the ongoing instability within the Empire likely played a role. His rebellion was centered in Roman Gaul, likely exploiting anti-Roman sentiment or taking advantage of the preoccupation of Constantius with Magnentius.

The revolt was short-lived. Constantius II dispatched forces to suppress the rebellion, and Marcellus was captured and executed. The speed with which the revolt was quelled suggests it lacked widespread support or a strong power base. Marcellus's failed attempt to seize power is a relatively minor episode in the turbulent history of the late Roman Empire, overshadowed by the larger conflict between Constantius and Magnentius. His uprising, though unsuccessful, highlights the instability and political maneuvering that characterized the era.