Definition: Claudius II Gothicus (Marcus Aurelius Valerius Claudius), born c. 214 A.D., was emperor of Rome from 268-270. Claudius was a military commander who may have been a military tribune under Decius and commander of Balkan legions under Valerian. Claudius II may have instigated the murder of his predecessor, Gallienus, but was, at any rate, proclaimed emperor afterwards. Claudius II put to death the rebellious Aureolus whom Gallienus had attempted to suppress in Milan.

Claudius earned his title Gothicus Maximus when he routed the Goths at the Battle of Naissus. Claudius II died in 270 of the plague.

Source: Diana Rowder's Who Was Who in the Roman World.