CLAS/HIST 4091/5091 The Roman Empire

Lecture 21. The Crisis of the Third Century

I. The Thirteenth Sybilline Oracle

Chaos; Invasions; Regionalism

“The Crisis of the Third Century” (235-284): 26 legitimate emperors; regional empires; inflation; invasions

II. Narrative

-Maximinus Thrax (235-238): “Barbarian”; Senatorial revolt

-Gordian III (239-244): grandson of Gordian I; Shapur sacks Antioch; G. invades Persia

-Philip the Arab (244-249): kills Gordian III; shameful peace with Persia; 1,000 birthday of Rome

-Decius (249-251): Illyrian soldier; Christian persecution 250; Gothic chief Kniva kills at Abrittus

-Valerian (253-260) / Gallienus (253-268):

-Gallic Empire of Postumus (259ff)

- Shapur sacks Antioch (again), Dura Europos; Val. invades Persia and is captured, enslaved, flayed (Naqsh e-Rustam)

-Dynasty of Palmyra: Odenathus (261-267?); Corrector totius orientis (governor of all the East) and “King of Kings”

-Claudius Gothicus (268-270): Drives back Goths; dies of plague

-Aurelian (270-275): Illyrian soldier = “Hand on steel”; Walls of Rome; Destoys Palmyra 272-3 (Zenobia the woman warrior); Destroys Gallic Empire (274)

III. Trends

A. Shift in leadership

Lack of strong leaders; Provincialization; Militarization (Illyrian soldiers)

B. Militarization

1. Army Pay (25 legions under Aug >> 39 under Probus; 225 denarii under Aug >> 750 under Caracalla)

2. Administrative changes: Gallienus’ mobile cavalry elects emperors

E. Monetary Crisis

1. Expenditure: Constant military campaigns

2. Inflation: Devaluation (Denarius >> Antonianus); Debasement (Antoninianus = 50% silver under Caracalla >> 2.5% under Claudius Gothicus)

C. Barbarians

1. Rhine: Alamanni, Franks; Danube: Sarmatians, Goths; East: Sasanians

2. Local Militias: Dexippus and the defense of Athens (267/8)