Numerian (-284) was the son of Emperor Carus and younger brother to Carinus, who he would be joint emperor with in later life. Carus immediately elevated both Carinus and Numerian to Caesars after his ascension to the throne, taking Numerian east with him to wage war against the Sassanid Empire while Carinus was left in charge of the West. Carus soon died after becoming emperor, making Numerian and Carinus the new emperors.