Page "Gallienus" Paragraph 29

Gallienus has not been dealt with well by ancient historians, partly due to the secession of Gaul and Palmyra and his inability to get them back.

According to the modern scholar Pat Southern, however, some historians now see him in a more positive light.

Gallienus was the father of some useful reforms.

His contribution to military history was the first commissioning of a cavalry only unit which could be dispatched anywhere within the Empire within short order.

This reform arguably created a precedent for the future emperors Diocletian and Constantine I.