The Crisis of the Third Century: Rome's Empire on the Brink

In the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the weight of plague, civil war, and barbarian invasion. This episode explores the Crisis of the Third Century (235–284 AD), a period of unprecedented turmoil when emperors rose and fell with dizzying speed, the economy spiraled into hyperinflation, and breakaway empires in Gaul and Palmyra carved off huge territories. We focus on the key figures and events: the assassination of Severus Alexander, the rise of barracks emperors like Maximinus Thrax, the Gothic invasions that shattered the Danube frontier, the plague that killed thousands daily in Rome, and the remarkable recovery under Aurelian and Diocletian. Along the way, we discuss the rise of the Sassanian Empire under Shapur I, the humiliating capture of Emperor Valerian, and the building of the Aurelian Walls. It's a story of near-total collapse and painful rebirth that shaped the later Roman Empire. #CrisisOfTheThirdCentury #RomanEmpire #Aurelian #Diocletian #MaximinusThrax #Valerian #ShapurI #SassanianEmpire #GothicInvasions #BarracksEmperors #AurelianWalls #PalmyreneEmpire #GallicEmpire #PlagueOfCyprian #ThirdCentury #RomanHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo