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The Crisis of the Third Century
Summary
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External military threats and internal social weakness interacted in a vicious circle. Commodus came to power in 180 C.E., not because of any particular talent but because he was Marcus Aurelius' son. When he was assassinated in 192 C.E. civil war again erupted; several emperors reigned briefly, until military strongman Septimius Severus emerged victorious. To attract more soldiers, Severus raised military pay and debased qualifications, status, and professionalism. In the third century C.E., the Sassanians in Persia, the Goths beyond the Danube, and the Germanic Franks and Alemanni invaded the outskirts of the empire. Repelling these challenges required more resources than the society could spare; labor shortages, inflation, and neglect of infrastructure such as roads weakened Rome's economy. Social stratification increased. Invasions and anarchy characterized the middle of the third century C.E. Just when the empire appeared ready to collapse, Gothicus and Aurelius inaugurated a string of emperors who reorganized defense by concentrating on important cities and creating, in effect, a mercenary army.
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