"A shift in the paradigm of leadership following the assassination of the emperor Alexander Severus in 235 by his own troops Increased participation by the military in politics Lack of adherence to a clear policy of succession for emperors Inflation and economic depression caused by a devaluation of currency under the Severan dynasty Increased pressure on the Roman emperor to defend the provinces from invading tribes The plague, which heightened fears and destabilized communities"
"After the assassination of Alexander Severus (reign 222-235), the empire would see over 20 emperors rise and fall in the almost 50 years between 235 and 284, as compared with the 26 emperors who reigned from the time of Augustus (reign 27 BCE to 14 CE) to Severus, a period of over 250 years. The empire was restored through the efforts of Emperor Aurelian (reign 270-275), whose initiatives were developed further by Diocletian (reign 284-305)"
"Septimus Severus (reign 193-211), who founded the Severan dynasty, began the policy of placating the military and buying their loyalty through increased pay and other measures. Septimus Severus raised a soldier's pay from 300 to 500 denarii annually, which was long overdue, but at the same time enlarged the armed forces in order to meet the challenges from beyond the borders, which Rome now faced. In order to pay his soldiers, he debased the currency by adding less precious metal"
The Crisis of the Third Century (235–284) fragmented the Roman Empire into the Gallic, Roman, and Palmyrene entities. Military influence over politics, assassinations, and unclear imperial succession produced rapid turnover of emperors. Economic decline followed currency debasement and inflation under the Severan dynasty. External invasions and expanded frontier defenses strained manpower and resources, while the plague destabilized communities and labor. The crisis peaked with multiple short-lived rulers and regional breakaways. Recovery began under Aurelian, who reunited large parts of the empire, and was consolidated by Diocletian through reforms that stabilized imperial administration and finance.
#crisis-of-the-third-century #roman-political-instability #severan-economic-policies #military-influence
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