Maeonius

Who is Maeonius?

Maeonius, or Maconius, was a short-lived Roman usurper. He is also known with the names of Odaenathus and Rufinus.

He was the nephew or the cousin of Odaenathus, who had taken control of the Eastern provinces after the defeat and capture of Emperor Valerian by Shapur I of the Sassanid Empire.

According to Historia Augusta, Maeonius killed Odaenathus and his son Hairan during a celebration, because of a conspiracy organized by Zenobia, wife of Odaenathus, who wanted her sons to succeed her husband instead of Hairan; According to Gibbon, the murder was revenge for a short confinement imposed by Odaenathus to Maeonius for being unrespectful.

Zonaras tells that Maeonius was killed immediately after the murder of Odaenathus, while Historia has Maeonius proclaiming himself emperor, with Zenobia having had him soon killed, in order to take the power for herself.