Barracks Emperors Flashcards
How long did the span of the Barrack Emperors last?
235-284 A.D.
What is a common trend with the Barrack Emperors?
There were plenty, there were short reigns
Who was the first Barrack Emperor?
Maximinus Thrax
How long did Maximinus Thrax reign for?
235-238 A.D.
When did Maximinus Thrax begin his reign?
235 A.D.
How many emperors were there in the year 238 A.D.?
6
Who was Maximinus Thrax?
Thracian peasant/soldier who succeeded Alexander Severus, was one of the “6 emperors” of 238 A.D.
As a reward for getting him the role of emperor, what did Maximinus Thrax do for his soldiers?
Doubled the pay of his soldiers
Who did Maximinus Thrax bribe in order to become emperor?
His soldiers
What made Maximinus Thrax unpopular with the people?
passed taxes to pay troops and finance a German campaign
What sect was particularly angered by Maximinus Thrax?
wealthy African landowners who had gained power in the senate since time of Septimius Severus
What city did Maximinus Thrax fail to take?
strategic city of Aquileia,
Who killed Maximinus Thrax?
His soldiers
When did Maximinius Thrax end his reign?
238 A.D.
Gordian I & Gordian II were emperors co-ruling from where in 238 A.D.?
North Africa
How old was Gordian the First?
Gordian I was 80 years old, perhaps the oldest person ever named Augustus
Gordian I & Gordian II were defeated by whom?
Troops loyal to Maximinus Thrax
What set of emperors were essentially appointed co-rulers by the Senate in 238 A.D.?
Pupienus & Balbinus
Who killed Pupienus & Balbinus?
The Praetorian Guard
How long did Gordian III rule for?
238-244 A.D.
Gordian III was the grandson of whom?
Grandson of Gordian I
How old was Gordian III when he became emperor?
13
Who was the victor of the year 238 A.D.?
Gordian III
Who looked after Gordian III?
praetorian prefect Timesitheus (died in 243 B.C.,
replaced by Philip)
What Praetorian Prefect was the guardian of Gordian III?
Timesitheus (died in 243 B.C.,
replaced by Philip)
When did Gordian III end his reign?
244 A.D.
How long did Philip the Arab rule for?
244-249 A.D.
In what year did Philip the Arab begin his reign?
244 A.D.
Who celebrated Rome’s 1000th anniversary?
Philip the Arab
Who defeated Philip the Arab?
Decius at Verona
Where was Philip the Arab defeated by Decius?
Verona in 249 A.D.
When did Decius begin his reign?
249 A.D.
How long did Decius reign for?
249-251 A.D.
Decius is known for his harsh prosecution of what religious group?
Christians
Decius was the first emperor to be killed in battle. What battle was Decius killed in?
battle at Abrittus against the Goths under Kniva
What enemy of Rome was Decius killed by?
Goths under Kniva
In what year did Decius die?
251 A.D.
Who ruled from 251-253 A.D.?
Trebonianus Gallus
Trebonianus Gallus made peace with what adversary?
Kniva and the Goths
Where was Trebonianus Gallus defeated?
Interamna in 253 A.D.?
How long did Valerian reign for?
253-260 A.D.
Who captured Valerian?
Captured by The Persians under Shapur I
Where was Valerian captured by the Persians and Shapur I?
Edessa (Carrhae)
How did Valerian die in 260 A.D.?
died in captivity
Who was the son of Valerian?
Gallienus
How long did Gallienus reign for as emperor?
253-268 A.D.
Who did Gallienus fight against?
the Alemanni and several other tribes and revolters
Impostors who claimed the throne under Gallienus were known as?
“Thirty Tyrants”
During Gallienus’s reign what empire was formed?
The Gallic Empire was established by Postumus (260 A.D.) (independent of the Roman Empire)
In what year was the Gallic Empire founded?
260 A.D.
Who founded the Gallic Empire?
Postumus
At its greatest extent the Gallic Empire stretched out how far?
at its height, it contained Germania, Gaul,
Britannia, and Hispania
Gallienus abandoned his war with the Goths to defeat whom in Italy?
M’. Acilius Aureolus at
a battle near Mediolanum (Milan)
Where did Gallienus defeat M’. Acilius Aureolus?
a battle near Mediolanum (Milan)
Gallienus had trusted whom before he turned out to be one of the “thirty tyrants”?
M’. Acilius Aureolus
Following the defeat of M’. Acilius Aureolus, what Illyrian officers assassinated Gallienus
Illyrian officers (including Claudius II and Aurelian)
In what year did Gallienus die?
268 A.D.
Gallienus the ended prosecution of what religious group, creating a 40 year peace?
Christians
How long did Claudius II (Gothicus) rule for?
268-270 A.D
What was Claudius II nickname?
Gothicus
In what battle does emperor Emperor Claudius the Second defeat the Alamanni?
Battle of Lake Benacus (268)
In what year does the Battle of Lake Benacus occur?
268 A.D.
In what battle did Claudius the Second and Aurelian command the Romans in the defeat of the Goths?
Battle of Naissus (268/269, disputed date)
When did the Battle of Naissus occur?
(269 A.D.) (According to Ward, Naissus may have occurred under Gallienus in 268 A.D.)
What was the bloodiest battle in the third century A.D.?
Battle of Naissus
How did Claudius the Second die?
of the plague
In what year did Claudius the Second die?
270 A.D.
Who was the brother of Claudius the Second, and may have ruled for mere days before Aurelian?
Quintillus
Who was Claudius Gothicus’s magister equitum?
Aurelian
How long did Aurelian reign for?
270-275 A.D.
What nickname of Aurelian replicates his harsh discipline?
Manus ad Ferrum (Hand on Steel)
What Palmyrene ruler did Aurelian defeat?
Zenobia
What empire did Aurelian restore after the defeat of Zenobia?
Palmyrene Empire
Who was made king and Augustus of the Palmyrene Empire in 271 A.D.?
Zenobia’s son Vabalathus
In what year was Zenobia’s son, Vabalathus, made king of the Palmyrene Empire?
271 A.D.
Who was Zenobia’s husband?
Odaenathus, an ally of Rome
When did Zenobia’s husband die, leaving her to rule the Palmyrene Empire and challenge Roman authority?
267 A.D.
When Zenobia was defeated, where did she live out the rest of her life?
Zenobia lived her days out in dignity, living at a villa in Tibur (Tivoli), married to a Roman senator
What title is given to Aurelian for his success?
Restitutor Orbis (Restorer of the World)
What success did Aurelian win against the Gallic Empire?
defeat of Tetricus of the Gallic Empire at Chalons-Sur-Marne (French city)
Who did Aurelian defeat at Chalons-Sur-Marne?
Tetricus of the Gallic Empire
For his success in the East, what title did Aurelian receive?
Restitutor Orientis (Restorer of the East)
What city did Aurelian sack after they rebelled a second time?
Palmyra
Similar to Elagabulus, what sun god did Aurelian worship?
Sun God (Sol Invictus)
What defensive structure did Aurelian start building in 271 A.D.?
a brick wall around Rome that was 12 miles long, 20
feet high, and 12 feet thick, with 18 gates
Aurelian stopped mint making for Roman coinage, instigating a revolt among the workers
led by whom?
Felicissimus
Aurelian abandoned what province?
Dacia
How did Aurelian die?
He was murdered in Thrace
When did Aurelian die?
275 A.D., six months
How long did Tacitus reign for?
275–276 A.D.
How did Tacitus become emperor?
Chosen by the Senate
How did Tacitus die?
Assassinated by his own troops
Who finished construction on Aurelian’s Wall around Rome?
Emperor Probus
What emperor sacked Ctesiphon in 283 A.D.?
Carus
How is emperor Carus proclaimed to have died in 283 A.D.?
he was struck by lightning or killed by the praetorian
prefect Ape
What emperors were the sons of emperor Carus?
Carinus (283-285 A.D.) in the West and Numerian (283-284 A.D.) in the East
What son of Carus ruled the west?
Carinus (283-285 A.D.)
What son of Carus ruled the east?
Numerian (283-284 A.D.)
Where was Carinus defeated by Diocletian?
at the Battle of the River Margus (285 A.D.)
In what year was Carinus defeated by Diocletian?
285 A.D.
Numerian may have been killed by what Praetorian Prefect in 84 A.D.?
praetorian prefect L. Flavius Aper
Who, believing praetorian prefect L. Flavius Aper had killed Numerian, slew praetorian prefect L. Flavius Aper?
Diocletian
In what year did the Barrack Emperors Era end?
284 A.D.
How tall was Maximinus Thrax?
8’6”
What emperor of Rome was 8 feet, 6 inches tall?
Maximinius Thrax
Who was the first barbarian emperor of Rome?
Maximinus Thrax
What emperor of Rome ironically never set foot in the city?
Maximinus Thrax
Maximinus Thrax ironically never set foot in what city, the center of the empire he controlled?
Rome
Name the father-in-law of Gordian III, who was also his Praetorian Prefect
Gaius Furius Timesitheus
Timesitheus was the father-in-law of what Roman emperor?
Gordian III
What Roman emperor made peace with the Persians, namely Shapur I by reaching a settlement with him?
Philip the Arab
Philip the Arab made peace with what king, of what people, by reaching a settlement with him?
Shapur I of Persia
Name the son of Decius, who co-ruled with him
Herenius Etruscus
Herenius Etruscus co-ruled with what Roman emperor, also his father?
Decius
Who was the first emperor to die in battle?
Decius
Decius was the first emperor to die in what manner?
In battle (against Kniva at Abrittus; 251 AD)
What Roman emperor made a disadvantageous treaty with the Goths, namely allowing them high-ranking prisoners?
Trebonianus Gallus
Trebonianus Gallus made a disadvantageous treaty with what people, allowing them high-ranking prisoners?
Goths
Name the most important clause of the treaty that Trebonianus Gallus made with the Goths
Allowing the Goths high-ranking prisoners
Name the son of Trebonianus Gallus, who co-ruled with him
Volusianus
Volusianus co-ruled with what Roman emperor, who also was his father?
Trebonianus Gallus
Name the king of Armenia deposed by Shapur I in 256 AD
Chosroes (of Armenia, NOT Parthia)
Chosroes (of Armenia) was deposed by what Persian king in 256 AD?
Shapur I
When was Chosroes of Armenia deposed by Shapur I?
256 AD
When was the battle of Barbalissos?
256 AD
What battle was in 256 AD?
Barbalissos
What king of Persia defeats Rome at Barbalissos in 256 AD?
Shapur I
At what battle did Shapur I defeat Rome after deposing Chosores of Armenia, in 256 AD?
Battle of Barbalissos
What object did Valerian act as under Shapur I?
A stepping-stool
What Roman emperor was forced to be a stepping-stool for Shapur I?
Valerian
What general of legions on the Rhine mutinied against Rome with his troops in 259 AD?
Postumus
Postumus was general of legions on what river when he mutinied against Rome in 259 AD?
Rhine
When did Postumus mutiny against Rome with his legions on the Rhine?
259 AD
What ruler of Palmyra was rewarded by Gallienus for defeating Shapur I?
Odenathus
Odenathus was rewarded by what Roman emperor for defeating Shapur I?
Gallienus
Odenathus was rewarded by Gallienus for defeating what Persian king?
Shapur I
What Roman emperor introduced new cavalry corp, including Moorish javalin men, Dalmatian horseman, and cataphracts?
Gallienus
Gallienus introduced new corp to what part of the Roman army?
Cavalry
What Gothic tribe captured Byzantium in 267 AD, during the reign of Gallienus?
Heruli
The Heruli tribe captured what city in 267 AD?
Byzantium
When did the Heruli tribe capture Byzantium?
267 AD
From what source is Claudius Gothicus said to have learned that he would die of the plague?
Sibylline Books
What Roman emperor is said to have learned from the Sibylline Books that he would die of the plague?
Claudius Gothicus
What Roman emperor styled himself as the vice-regent of the god Sol Invictus, building an enormous temple to him in Rome?
Aurelian
Aurelian built an enormous temple to what god in Rome?
Sol Invictus
Aurelian styled himself as the vice-regent of what god?
Sol Invictus
Name the main advisor of Zenobia, a famous Greek rhetorician, polymath, and philosopher
Cassius Longinus
Cassius Longinus was the main advisor of what ruler of Palmyra?
Zenobia
Name the magister equitum of Aurelian
Probus
Probus was magister equitum of what Roman emperor?
Aurelian
Probus held what position in relation to Aurelian?
Magister Equitum
Battles in 272 AD were fought aginst what ruler of Palmyra?
Zenobia
At what two major locations did Aurelian defeat Zenobia in 272 AD?
Antioch, Emessa
What Roman emperor was victorious at Antioch and Emessa, defeating Zenobia in 272 AD?
Aurelian
What kingdom did Zenobia attempt to escape to before finally surrendering to the forces of Aurelian?
Persia
Who was sent to a villa at Tivoli, living as the wife of a Roman senator despite her fighting against Aurelian in 272 AD?
Zenobia
Where was Zenobia sent to live as the wife of a Roman senator after her surrendering to Rome?
Tivoli / Tibur
What was the eventual fate of Zenobia after her surrendering to Rome?
To live as the wife of a Roman senator in Tivoli
What advisor of Zenobia is executed by Aurelian?
Cassius Longinus
Cassius Longinus, the advisor of Zenobia, was executed by what Roman emperor?
Aurelian
What Roman Barracks emperor suppressed a rebellion in Alexandria?
Aurelian
Aurelian suppressed a rebellion in what Egyptian city?
Alexandria
At what city was Aurelian killed?
Coenofrurium
What Roman emperor was killed at Coenofrurium in 275 AD?
Aurelian
What Roman emperor was assasinated by his own soldiers in 276 AD, despite being victorious against the Goths and Alans?
Tacitus
What people murdered the emperor Tacitus?
His own soldiers
Against what two tribes did Tacitus win victories against during his reign as emperor of Rome?
Goths, Alans
Who was the Gallic emperor during the reign of Cluadius Gothicus?
Marcus Piavonius Victorinus
What Gallic emperor was aided by Claudius Gothicus when the town of Augustodunum revolted?
Marcus Piavonius Victorinus
What Roman emperor aided Victorinus when the town of Augustodunum revolted?
Claudius Gothicus
What eastern province became the first to declare for Maximinus Thrax in 234 AD?
Pannonia
Pannonia was the first province to declare what Roman as emperor in 234 AD?
Maximinus Thrax
Who proclaimed himself Restitutor Galliarum because he founded the Gallic Empire?
Marcus Cassianus Latinius Postumus
What title did Postumus proclaim for himself, because he founded the Gallic Empire?
Restitutor Galliarum
What magister equitum of Galilenus initially led the attack against Postumus in 265 AD, but was demoted due to his defeat?
Aureolus
Aureolus held what position in relation to Gallienus before his revolt?
Magister Equitum
Aureolus was the Magister Equitum of what Roman emperor, before revolting against him?
Gallienus
Aureolus led the attack against what Restitutor Galliarum in 265 AD, but failed?
Marcus Cassianus Latinius Postumus
Where did Timesitheus die?
Ctesiphon
What Praetorian Prefect died at Ctesiphon, before being replaced by Philip the Arab?
Timesitheus
Name the half-brother of Tacitus who breifly ruled after him
Florianus
Florianus was the half-brother of what Roman emperor?
Tacitus
At what city was Florianus killed in a mutiny?
Tarsus
What Roman emperor was killed in a mutiny at Tarsus, the half-brother of Tacitus?
Florianus
