The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE)

Stereotypical “good emperor”

Where things begin to go wrong: His incompetent son, Commodus (180-192),(featured in the recent film Gladiator)

Another of the “bad” emperors: Carcalla (211-217 CE)

Damnatio Memoriae:  Carcalla "erases" his brother Geta

Maximinus Thrax (235-238)First of the "Soldier Emperors" (235-284)

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

1. Persians in the East

2. Germans in the north & west

The Persian King Shapur captures the Roman Emperor Valerian, without even unsheathing his sword (260 AD):

Emperor Valerian (253-260), captured and bowing before the Persian king, Shapur I

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

1. Persians in the East

2. Germans in the north & west

Decius, 249-251

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

1. Persians in the East

2. Germans in the north & west

C. Growth of the Army

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

1. Persians in the East

2. Germans in the north & west

C. Growth of the Army

D. Economic Plight: Debasement of the Coinage

Silver Denarii: TRAJANUS DECIUS 249–251 AD

Reverse: Dacia standing left holding staff with head of ass

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

1. Persians in the East

2. Germans in the north & west

C. Growth of the Army

D. Economic Plight: Debasement of the Coinage

II. Crisis or Transition?

Roman Assimilation:Syrian Romans

Egyptian Romans

Jewish Romans

The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?

I. Interrelated Crises

A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy

B. Constant Warfare

1. Persians in the East

2. Germans in the north & west

C. Growth of the Army

D. Economic Plight: Debasement of the Coinage

II. Crisis or Transition?