Carausius was a Roman officer of Belgian origin who proclaimed himself emperor in Britain around AD 286. Formerly commander of the fleet tasked with combating pirates, he seized power after being accused of treason. He established an independent realm encompassing Britain and part of northern Gaul. Carausius struck his own coinage and sought to legitimize his rule by imitating Roman imperial propaganda. He was eventually assassinated in 293 by his minister Allectus, who succeeded him.
