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