The story of Macrianus is intimately connected with that of his brother Quietus. The two were sons of Macrianus Sr. who was one of Valerian's highest-ranked generals. After Valerian was kidnapped by a Persian king whom he was seeing on business of discussing war settlements the elder Macrianus chased the Persians away and the soldiers offered him the post of Augustus. He, in turn, declined and bestowed the titles jointly upon Macrianus Jr. and Quietus. It was decided that Macrianus would now lead an expedition to depose Gallienus back in Rome while Quietus would stay in the east to secure the region against any Persian reprisals. Macrianus's army suffered a defeat and the troops loyal to Gallienus gave chase to a fleeing Quietus who was eventually captured and executed. All coins from eastern mints, imperial issues only from Antioch.
RIC 8, Cohen 6 AR Antoninianus Obv: IMPCFVLMACRIANVSPFAVG; Radiate, cuirassed bust right.
Rev: INDVLGENTIAEAVG; Indulgentia seated left, holding patera and scepter.
SNG V.A. 733, BMC 157 AE26 (Bithynia, Nicaea) Obv: Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: City walls.
