The ancient Sibylline prophecies had foretold that the Roman empire would last for 1000 years. As the time for the dissolution approached in the middle of the 3rd Century AD, the empire was lapsing into chaos with seemingly interminable civil wars over the imperial succession. The western empire had seceded under a rebel emperor and the eastern empire was controlled by another usurper. Barbarians took advantage of the anarchy to kill and plunder all over the provinces. Yet within the space of just five years, the general/emperor Aurelian (270-275 AD) had expelled all the barbarians from within the Roman frontiers, had re-united the entire empire and had inaugurated major reforms of the currency, pagan religion and civil administration. His accomplishments have been hailed by classical scholars as those of a 'superman', yet Aurelian himself is scarcely known to a wider audience. His achievements enabled the Roman empire to survive for another two centuries, ensuring a lasting legacy of Roman civilization for the successor European states. Without Aurelian, the 'Dark Ages' would probably have lasted centuries longer. Restorer of the World: The Roman Emperor Aurelian describes these extraordinary times (the title Restorer of the World was awarded to Aurelian by the Roman Senate). The book provides all the necessary background for the interested reader, including a very brief history o Rome from its foundation, and also examines the consequences of Aurelian achievements and what happened afterwards. There is additionally a substantial section describing the little-known 3rd Century Roman army.