3rd Century Crisis

Question 1

Reasons for the Crisis of the Third Century? (4)

Answer 1

-Fall of the Severan dynasty
—-None of the Severi had the gravitas to unite the many
interests like Severus Alexander had.
-Internal tensions
—-Senate’s interests undermined unity of the empire
—-Regional rivalries resulted in mutinies
-Pressure on the frontiers
—-As Rome expanded, more territory to defend
—-Especially true when Rome had to fight on both fronts
——–In West, this was new tribes. In East, this was
Sassanids
-Manpower shortages
—-As borders grew, so did the army. The population
couldn’t keep up with 30 legions
—-In addition, plague depleted manpower rapidly
———This forced Rome to draw from the production
center of the economy, which made military
upkeep even more difficult

Question 2

Gallienus
He ruled from:
Problems at start of reign (3):
Accomplishments (4):
Reforms (2):

Answer 2

Emperor from 253-268

• Problems
• —Persians invading in East
• —Tribes invading in West
• —Sea overcome by pirates
• Solutions
• —By 254, fighting German tribes with success
• —Odenathus stabilized the East against Persians
• —Allowed the Rebel Postumus to stabilize the West
• —In 268, defeated largest Gothic invasion yet
• Reforms
• —Administrative
• ——-Prevented Senate from controlling armies
• —Military
• ——-More cavalry units to make armies more mobile
• ——-Focused on defending the core of the empire

Question 3

Aurelian
Ruled from:
Accomplishments (4):

Answer 3

Emperor from 270-275

With start of stability under Gallienus, Aurelian was able to expand.

Accomplishments

• —Aurelian wall
• —pulled out of Dacia
• —Conquered Zenobia and other Eastern pretenders
• —274, reconquested Gaul

Question 4

Post-Aurelian

developments (5)

Answer 4

Aurelian assassinated in 275, 9 more years instability
—-Tribal invasions once again increased
—-Continued conflict with Sassanids
—-Probus took power from 276-282
——–Brought some stability back by settling/defeating
tribesmen
——–Was assassinated in 282
—-Carus family took power from 282-285
——–they were assassinated, and commander of
bodyguard, Diocletian, was selected to rule, ending
the crisis

Question 5

Beginning of 3rd century crisis, 235-253. (6)

Answer 5

-Multiple emperors from 235-243
-Sassanids began invading in the East
-Philip the Arab 244-249
—-made costly peace with Sassanids
—-Went to fight in West, but assassinated b/c ‘lowly’
-Huge Gothic invasions around 250
—-Romans made costly peace
-Seeing Gothic attacking in West, Sassanid strike in East in
252
-Gallienus took power in 253