About Bonosus
Bonosus was a Roman military personnel.
Bonosus (died AD 280) was a late 3rd-century Roman usurper. He was born in Hispania (Roman Spain) to a British father and Gallic mother. His father—a rhetorician and "teacher of letters"—died when Bonosus was still young but the boy's mother gave him a decent education. He had a distinguished military career with an excellent service record. He rose successively through the ranks and tribuneships but, while he was stationed in charge of the Rhenish fleet , the Germans managed to set it on fire. Fearful of the consequences, he proclaimed himself Roman emperor at Colonia Agrippina (Cologne) jointly with Proculus. After a protracted struggle, he was defeated by Marcus Aurelius Probus and hanged himself rather than face capture.
Bonosus left behind a wife and two sons who were treated with honor by Probus.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bonosus?
Usurper of the Roman Empire (died 280)
When was Bonosus born?
Bonosus was born in Hispania.
What was Bonosus's occupation?
Bonosus was a military personnel.
What nationality was Bonosus?
Bonosus was Roman.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bonosus. https://biography.guide/bonosus/
MLA: "Bonosus." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bonosus/.
Chicago: "Bonosus." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bonosus/.
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