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The Third Century: Crisis or Transition?. The Third Century: Crisis or Transition? Interrelated Crises. The Third Century: Crisis or Transition? Interrelated Crises A. Imperial Turnover: From military monarchy to military anarchy. Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE) Stereotypical “good emperor”.
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The Third Century: Crisis or Transition? • Interrelated Crises
The Third Century: Crisis or Transition? • 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)
Maximinus Thrax (235-238) First of the "Soldier Emperors" (235-284)
The Third Century: Crisis or Transition • Interrelated Crises • Imperial Turnover: • From military monarchy to military anarchy • B. Constant Warfare
The Third Century: Crisis or Transition • 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? • 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 Third Century: Crisis or Transition? • 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? • 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? • 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 • Crisis or Transition?
Roman Assimilation: Syrian Romans
The Third Century: Crisis or Transition? • 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 • Crisis or Transition?