Page "Gallienus" Paragraph 26

Cecropius, commander of the Dalmatians, spread the word that Aureolus was leaving the city, and Gallienus left his tent without his bodyguard, only to be struck down by Cecropius.

One version has Claudius selected as Emperor by the conspirators, another chosen by Gallienus on his death bed ; the Historia Augusta was concerned to substantiate the descent of the Constantinian dynasty from Claudius, and this may explain its accounts which do not involve Claudius in the murder.

The other sources ( Zosimus i. 40 and Zonaras xii. 25 ), report that the conspiracy was organized by Heraclianus, Claudius and Aurelian.