Manius Acilius Aureolus (died 268) is a Roman military commander and would-be usurper.

He is one of the so-called Thirty Tyrants who populate the reign of the Emperor Gallienus.

Of humble Thraco-Roman origins, he is 'made' by the Emperor Gallienus and proves himself to be one of the most brilliant and innovative soldiers of the age.

However, he later turns against his benefactor, and is destroyed in the political turmoil that surrounds the Emperor's assassination in a conspiracy orchestrated by his senior officers.

The ancient sources which refer to Aureolus are limited and the information they do provide is often contradictory.

They include the Historia Augusta, Zonaras' epitome and Zosimus' Historia Nova.

His career is most recently summarized in John Bray's biography of Gallienus.

(Bray, John (1997).

Gallienus: A study in reformist and sexual politics.

Adelaide: Wakefield Press.)

The analysis of Aureolus's career given here, especially his final rebellion, is largely based on Bray.