M. Firmus
one of the " minusculi tyranni" who sprung up during the reign of Aurelian.
According to Vopiscus, he was a native of Seleuceia, the friend and ally of Zenobia, and appears to have followed the profession of a merchant, carrying on a most extensive and lucrative trade. When Zenobia took up arms against the Romans, Firmus, in order to make a diversion in her favour, seized upon Alexandria; but the rebellion was promptly crushed by the vigour and good fortune of the emperor. The Augustan historian has chronicled a number of particulars with regard to the personal appearance, bodily strength, athletic and convivial exploits, wealth and magnificence of this petty usurper, some of which are curious in an antiquarian point of view. We are expressly told that he issued a coinage, and a medal is contained in the Pembroke collection bearing the legend
ΑΥΤ. Μ. ΦΙΡΜΙΟΣ ΕΥΓΞ
which some writers suppose to belong to him (Vopisc.
Firm.; Eckhel, vol. vii. p. 496.)
[
W.R]
