But when the governor of Africa, the unpopular count Romanus, disputed Firmus' claim, the latter used his influence, and the effects of the public outrage at Romanus' maladministration, to raise the province into open revolt, and only the swift response of the Imperial court and the energetic conduct of the general Theodosius prevented the province from becoming an independent monarchy of Firmus. The tyrant was captured, and the rebellion suppressed (373–374 AD); but the province remained unhappy.
When the governor of Africa, the unpopular count Romanus, challenged Firmus' claim, the latter leveraged his influence and the public anger at Romanus' poor leadership to incite a rebellion in the province. Only the swift action of the Imperial court and General Theodosius prevented the province from becoming an independent kingdom under Firmus. The tyrant was captured, and the uprising quelled (373–374 AD); however, the province remained dissatisfied.