Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was considered the father of the Gallic Empire. Postumus was a provincial general in the region of Gaul, which encompassed France, parts of Belgium, western Germany and northern Italy. He led the western Roman army which was still allegiant to the emperor Gallienus. In 260 AD, Postumus successfully separated from the Roman empire and effectively ruled the Gallic Empire as a separate state from Rome. The Gallic Empire naturally included Gaul, but also was aligned with Germania, Britannia and Hispania. When Postumus was murdered by his troops in 268 AD the Empire started to crumble and lose territory. After a string of rulers and usurpers it finally was reinserted into the Roman Empire under Aurelian.