Long Twilight Struggle

Rome and the Crises of the 3rd Century

By: Matthew G. Marsh, M. A.Sul Ross State University

Roman Empire: End of the Pax

Romana

Constructing the Past

Sources of the Past

Sources of History Primary Sources

Written Word

Inscriptions

Coins

Archaeology

Prime Sources for 3rd

Century Primary Sources stretch from 3rd to 13th Century.

Sources current with events.

Crises of the 3rd Century

Period traditionally lasts from 235 A. D. to 285A. D.

Not one, but many.

Overlap and feed on other

Roughly Five Stages of the Period

Crisis or Crises?

Roman Empire circa 235A. D.

Political

Instability Rapid Turnover

Dynastic Failure

Established Elites andArmed Forces

Military Invasions of the 3rd Century

Military

Challenges Civil Wars

Sassanian Persia

“Barbarian Tribes”

Invasions

Economic Downturn

Money supply

Debasement of Coinage

Economic Effects of Warfare

Roman Empire 263A. D. – 274A. D.

Fracturing the

Empire Beginning in the 260’s Empire begins to fracture.

Gallic Empire

Palmyrene Empire

Roman Empire circa 285A. D.

Restitutor Orbis

Restoring the Empire

Illyrian Emperors

Economic Efforts

Administration

Roman Provinces 193A. D. and 305 A. D.

Bereznay, Andras. The Roman Empire to AD 180, 2007. Jones, A. H. M. “The Severan Provinces and the

Dioceses and Provinces of the Verona List” In The Later Roman Empire: A Social Economic and and Administrative Survey. Vol. II. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, 1964. (1070-1071)

Map Credits