Nigrinian

Nigrinian (Marcus Aurelius Nigrinianus) was a very short-lived Roman emperor, likely a usurper, during the reign of Emperor Carinus (283-285 AD). Information regarding Nigrinian is extremely limited and primarily derived from unreliable sources like the Historia Augusta, which often contains fabricated details and dubious information.

The Historia Augusta claims that Nigrinian was either a son or grandson of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. This lineage is considered highly improbable by most historians, as no other sources corroborate this claim and it contradicts established genealogical information.

It is believed that Nigrinian's brief reign, if it occurred at all, was centered in the Balkan region. The circumstances of his rise and fall are unknown. Some accounts suggest he was proclaimed emperor by his troops, while others hint at a more spontaneous uprising. Regardless of the exact details, his challenge to Carinus was quickly suppressed, and Nigrinian was killed.

Due to the lack of reliable evidence and the reliance on questionable sources, much about Nigrinian remains uncertain. His existence itself is debated by some scholars, although the limited numismatic evidence (coins bearing his name and image) provides some support for his historical reality. In conclusion, Nigrinian represents a shadowy figure in the late Roman Empire, a fleeting glimpse of potential instability and usurpation during a period of crisis. The historical record surrounding him is fragmentary and unreliable, making a definitive assessment of his life and reign virtually impossible.