Crisis of the Third Century
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The Crisis of the Third Century, also known as the Military Anarchy or the Imperial Crisis, was a period in Roman history during which the Roman Empire nearly collapsed under the combined pressure of
Gothic raids in the 3rd century
Emperor Diocletian. With his rise to power in 284, the Crisis of the Third Century ended and gave rise to the Tetrarchy
Capitolini Massimino Trace 2
Aureus of Maximinus I
Diocletian
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Diocletian, nicknamed Jovius, was Roman emperor from 284 until his abdication in 305. He was born Diocles to a family of low status in the Roman province of Dalmatia. As with other Illyrian soldiers o
Crisis of the Third Century
…Roman state split into three distinct and competing polities. The period is usually dated between the death of Severus Alexander (235) and accession of Diocletian (284). The crisis resulted in such profound changes that it marks the transition between the historical periods of classical antiquity and late antiquity…
Head of Diocletian wearing a corona civica, on display at Istanbul Archaeology Museums.
Panorama of amphitheatre in Salona.
Head of Carinus at the Centrale Montemartini.
Aureus of Diocletian minted c. 284, legend: imp c c val diocletianus p f aug.