History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Volume 1 - Chapter VII Part 2

In which the brief reigns of the emperors Balbinus and Maximus are marked by a fragile accord and the restless discontent of soldiers and populace alike, culminating in their violent demise amid the turbulence of Roman politics. The subsequent elevation of the youthful Gordian and the rise of the pragmatic Philip illustrate the precarious balance between military force and senatorial authority within an empire vulnerable to internal strife and external threats.