If Aurelian had lived longer, he would without a doubt be classified as one of the greatest roman emperors ever imo. He still outclasses Trajan in my book. I mean the guy was the restorer of worlds (resitutor orbis). When Aurelian set his mind to something, it got done. Just ask those living in the Gallic and Palmyrene Empires. I have a feeling he would have been successful against the Persians had he not been assassinated (oddly enough, it was based off a false report that he was going to kill most of his officers, spread by a man who screwed up and was fearing punishment, that got him assassinated. Needless to say, when everyone else found out, that one guy didn't live much longer).