The Crisis of the 3rd Century was marked by a period of anarchy, civil wars, barbarian invasions and political instability which brought about a near-collapse of the empire. It was only upon the ascension of Emperor Diocletian that the crisis was truly over. Knowing that the administrative difficulties in maintaining a large empire were impractical and difficult. In 286 AD, the Empire was divided into a western and an eastern. Rome would govern the Western Roman Empire while the Eastern Roman Empire would be governed from Byzantium.
Crises of Third Century – Class 11 Notes
Causes Of Crises of Third Century
The Roman Empire faced big problems around 235 CE. His soldiers killed Emperor Alexander Severus after losing to Germanic tribes. After he died, Roman army leaders fought each other for control instead of protecting the empire from enemies. This led to lots of attacks on different parts of the empire. By 268 CE, the empire split into three parts including the Gallic Empire, the Palmyrene Empire, and the main Roman Empire centered in Italy. One big consequence of this time, called the Crisis of the Third Century, was that trade within the empire got messed up. Here are the major causes as mentioned below.
Problem of Succession and Civil War
- In the early Roman Empire, there were no clear rules for succession.
- Becoming emperor relied on support from the Senate, the people, and the Praetorian Guard.
- Sometimes there was disagreement between the Senate’s choice and the army’s preference.
- Over time, the Senate’s power declined, and generals from different parts of the empire became influential.
- Uncertain successions often led to powerful generals attempting to seize power, causing civil wars.
- The Year of the Five Emperors is a famous example of such turmoil.
- Rome was often ruled by military leaders who gained power through civil conflicts, causing harm to the empire.
Natural Disasters
- The first major natural disaster during the Third Century for the Roman Empire was a plague.
- The Antonine Plague before the Crisis of the Third Century weakened Roman armies and harmed the economy.
- From 249 to 262, the Plague of Cyprian devastated the Roman Empire, causing some cities like Alexandria to lose 62% of their population.
- These plagues made it difficult for the Roman Empire to defend against attacks by barbarian tribes and caused famines as many farms were left empty and unproductive.
- Another significant disaster during the third century was unpredictable weather patterns.
- Drier summers resulted in lower agricultural output, and extreme weather events destabilized farming.
- This climate instability may have contributed to increased pressure from barbarian tribes on Roman borders as they searched for more fertile lands.
Foreign Invasions
- After internal conflicts, so many diseases, and barbarian attacks started happening.
- Changes in weather made different barbarian groups move into lands controlled by Rome.
- Some groups of barbarians teamed up to become stronger, like the Alamanni and Franks.
- Other tribes were pushed out by more dangerous groups such as the Sarmatians.
- The Illyrian Emperors eventually made the borders stable, but barbarian movements continued.
- At first, migrants were closely watched and made to blend in, but later, large groups entered without caring about Roman rules.
- While Rome fought battles on the Danube since the 230s, the Sassanid Persia was a bigger threat in the East.
- The Sassanids had defeated the Parthian Arsacids and invaded Roman lands under King Ardashir I.
- Important cities like Nisibis and Carrhae were likely taken by the Persians during Severus Alexander’s rule.
Timeline of Crises of Third Century
Here are the major timeline Of Crises of Third Century as mentioned below.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 235 CE | Emperor Alexander Severus murdered by his troops after defeat by Germanic tribes. |
| 249-262 CE | Plague of Cyprian devastates Roman Empire, causing significant population decline. |
| 230s CE | Defensive battles on the Danube against barbarian incursions. |
| 224-226 CE | Sassanid Persia overthrows Parthian Arsacids, posing a threat to Rome. |
| 235/236 CE | Persian King Ardashir I penetrates into Roman territory, capturing key cities. |
| 268 CE | Roman Empire splits into competing states: Gallic Empire, Palmyrene Empire, and independent Roman Empire. |
| 3rd century CE | Rome ruled by series of generals after overthrow of Severan dynasty. |
Impact of Crises of Third Century
Here are the major impacts as mentioned below.
- The Crisis of the Third Century disrupted Rome’s extensive trade network, crucial for its economy since the Pax Romana.
- Civil unrest during the crisis made travel unsafe for merchants and the currency crisis made trade difficult.
- Large landowners shifted to producing goods locally due to the breakdown of long-distance trade.
- This led to the rise of a self-sufficient “house economy” and increased ruralization as city dwellers moved to the countryside.
- Many former city dwellers and small farmers became coloni, a semi-free class tied to the land, in exchange for protection from large landowners.
- The coloni system served as an early model for serfdom, laying the groundwork for medieval feudal society.
Also Read:
Ancient Rome: History, Timeline, Art & Facts
FAQs – Crises of Third Century
What caused Crisis of the Third Century?
The Crisis of the Third Century, also known as Military Anarchy or the Imperial Crisis, (235-284 CE) was a period in which the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressures of invasion, civil war, plague, and economic depression.
What happened in 3rd century?
The Crisis of the Third Century was a turbulent period characterized by military, economic, and political challenges that brought the Roman Empire to the brink of collapse. The so-called Crisis of the Third Century was a period of chaos, anarchy and economic instability in the Roman Empire.
What was the Crisis of the Third Century legionary?
By the mid 3rd Century, the Augustan system had broken down. Barbarian tribes penetrated the Empire at many points. Legions and their commanders became more interested in “emperor-making” than in “empire-defending”. In these power struggles few emperors died a natural death.
Who ended the third century crisis?
These became independent of the Italian Roman Empire proper, which stood between them. The crisis ended with the ascension of Diocletian in 284. The crisis resulted in many changes to the Empire’s institutions, society, economic life and, eventually, religion.
How did Diocletian end the crisis of the 3rd century?
Diocletian’s reign stabilized the empire, and marked the end of the Crisis of the Third Century. He appointed fellow officer, Maximian, as Augustus, co-emperor, in 286. Diocletian delegated further in 293, appointing Galerius and Constantius as caesars, junior co-emperors.
How bad was the Crisis of the Third Century?
The Crisis of the Third Century was characterized by a severe economic downturn, which was marked by hyperinflation, a decline in trade and agriculture, and fiscal problems.