Aurelian was an ambitious soldier who was made commander of the cavalry by Claudius II. Aided by a sympathetic army he revolted against the accession of one Quintillus and thus a civil war was avoided, where upon the latter committed suicide following the growing popularity of his rival. Aurelian was hailed as emperor by the Senate and the rest of the legions. First his goal was to strengthen the army by the introduction of the strict reforms and discipline, along with quelling the various uprisings that had broken out over the last couple of decades. He was killed five years later by his own Praetorian Guard at the height of his glory. Aurelian's personal secretary, after being reprimanded by the emperor for attempted extortion, though an execution would follow. To guard against this possibility, he made up a story about Aurelian intending to execute his personal guard and then went to share with them this made up evidence. Afraid for their lives, they entered the emperor's quarters and effected a preemptive strike. Afterwards it was found out that the beloved emperor had no such motives and his secretary himself was executed.