 Era of the Soldier Emperors 235 - 284 AD
Created by: * Favonius Cornelius, 2005-05-21 00:04:29
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From the end of the Severian Dynasty to the reign and reformations of Diocletian, one emperor after another was successively declared by the legions then eventually assassinated or killed in battle. This was a time of constant warfare, increasing troubles on the borders and an internal erosion of culture and economy of the empire.
Philip the Arab (1 posts)
Son of an Arabian, Philip took the throne from Gordian while on the eastern campaign. Philip was a decent emperor, his reign marked by sanity and military accomplishment, but this being a tumultuous time, he was soon beset upon my rivals to the throne: Pacantius, Iotapianus, Silbannacus, and then was finally defeated by Decius his own appointee to Pannonia. 244 - 249 AD
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Gordian III (2 posts)
Balbinus and Pupienus defeated Maximnus, were themselves killed soon after by the Praetorian Guard to raise Gordion III, grandson of Gordian I to the purple. He reigned long enough to launch a campaign against the Persians in the east, but in the process his new Praetorian Prefect Philip the Arab rebelled. 238 - 244 AD
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Maximinus Thrax (5 posts)
A huge brute of Gothic and Alan origin, Maximinus was a fitting general-emperor to mark the beginning of the years of civil war. After Serverus Alexander was killed, he was proclaimed emperor by his Rhine legions. His short reign is marked by constant wars with the barbarians and fellow claimants: Gordian I and Gordian II, then Pupienus and Balbinus. Both pairs were supported by the senate in this its last attempt in history to direct the fate of the empire. 235 - 238 AD
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General Topics (2 posts)
Aurelian (- posts)
Aurelian assumed the purple after Quintillus was pushed aside. One of the few great heroes of this time period, his tireless campaigns led to stability on all the empire's borders. He was about to teach the Persians a lesson when he fell to assassination. Truly he earned the title 'Restitutor Orbis.' Also: Domitianus et Septimius. 270 - 275 AD
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Claudius II Gothicus (- posts)
After Gallienus' murder Claudius was elevated, and in his short reign he was able to defeat the Goths in a number of battles. Eventually the plague did him in, leaving the empire still fractured and on the brink. Said to have founded the house of Constantine. His brother Quintillus ruled for a few months after him but was killed. 268 - 270 AD
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Gallienus (- posts)
He had already been promoted to co-emperor status before his father Valerian was captured by the Persians. He was a decent administrator who faced colossal problems across the empire. The capture of Valerian triggered the most rebellions ever in the empire's history: Ingenuus, Regalianus, Macrianus Major et Macrianus Minor, Quietus, Mussius Aemilianus and Aureolus. Add to this constant barbarian troubles and it is no surprise he was eventually assassinated. 260 - 268 AD
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Valerian I (- posts)
When Valerian's Rhine legions marched on Rome, Aemilianus was murdered just like Trebonianus Gallus. A respite from civil war followed, undoubtedly from the realization that terrible menaces across the borders threatened the very existence of the empire. Following a policy of Christian persecution at home he marched against the Goths and Persians, only to be defeated, captured and humiliated by the Persian prince. They say he was stuffed and put on display at the eastern court. These were bad times indeed. 253 - 260 AD
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Gordian III (* Publius Fabius Scipio, Sep 20, 2004 - 14:35 )
