In the mid-3rd century AD, the regional fleet of Roman Britain, the Classis Britannica, disappeared never to return. Soon, the North Sea and the English Channel were overrun by Germanic pirates who plundered the eastern and southern coasts of Britain, as well as the continental coast up to the Rhine Delta. The western emperor (senior emperor) Maximian turned to an experienced naval leader, Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius, to restore order. Carausius was so successful that Maximian accused him of holding back for himself the wealth he had recaptured and ordered his execution. However, the clever Carausius moved first and in 286 seized imperial power, creating an empire in the North Sea in northern France and Britain, which lasted until 296. Known as the king of pirates, he initially thrived, repelling Maximian's early attempts to defeat him. However, in the early 290s, Maximian appointed his new Caesar (junior emperor), Constantius Chlorus (father of Constantine the Great), to defeat Carausius. The experienced commander, Constantius Chlorus, soon restored northern France to imperial control, leaving Carausius controlling only Britain. Carausius was murdered and replaced by Allectus, his treasurer. Allectus, in turn, was defeated by Constantius Chlorus in 296 AD in the fourth Roman invasion of Britain, arriving just in time to prevent the capture of London by Allectus's Frankish mercenaries. Once again, Britain became part of the Roman Empire.

Pages: 208, Dimensions: 15.6x15.6cm