 However, it does seem to be the case that Gallienus was the originator of the particular body of men, the "Protectores Augusti Nostri", with which this page is concerned.It seems that, when it was first bestowed, this title signified an honour conferred on rather than a function carried out by the recipient.It seems to have been granted to officers who had distinguished themselves serving directly under Gallienus in his wars against barbarian invaders of the Balkan and German provinces and Italy and would-be usurpers in those regions such as Ingenuus and were marked out for accelerated promotion under his patronage.