Lecture 2 - The Crisis of the Third Century and the Diocletian Reforms 235-284 AD
-Problems in the Roman Empire during this time: -Sheer size of empire -Rome was decreasing in relevance as the imperial capital. -Problems with succession of emperors -Rivalries, power struggles, usurpers, etc. -Emperors kept on being killed either in battle, via revolt/mutiny, assassination, etc. -Power struggles between Senate elites and provincial generals (NOT elite citizens, however) -Cities were a drain on the countryside -Romans incorporated barbarians into the empire -East was more prosperous than the west -Invasions -Sassanid dynasty begins to expand into into various states that acted as a buffer between the Sassanids and the Romans (in the modern-day Middle East). -Captured Emperor Valerian in 260 AD, killed him. ...