The Gallic Empire: Rome’s Fragmented West
When we think of the Roman Empire, we imagine a monolithic power stretching from Britain to Egypt. But in the 3rd century AD, Rome fractured. One of the most remarkable breakaway states was the [...]
The Military Reforms of Emperor Gallienus
If Rome in the 3rd century was a ship taking on water, then Emperor Gallienus was the captain improvising repairs while steering through a storm. He’s often dismissed in ancient sources as a [...]
King Shapur hunts lions, part 2
It took Shapur a few moments to regain his breath. He wiggled his fingers around the hilt of his sword—wet and sticky, but he could feel them. Shapur tried to push the lioness off of him. She [...]
The Plagues of Antonine and of Cyprian and Their Impact
When we talk about the Crisis of the Third Century, we think of emperors assassinated, provinces breaking away, and barbarian invasions. But lurking behind those political storms was an invisible [...]
Time, Distance, Travel
The entire Mediterranean Sea was within Rome’s borders during the third century. It controlled much of what is now Europe, Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, all of Spain and Portugal, and Africa [...]
Status and Influence, Moving Up the Social Ladder
Cursus Honorum Roman society was very concerned with status and social positions within society. A system of assignments of increasing importance was developed known as the Cursus Honorum. [...]
Defending Rome’s Vast Border
The Roman Empire’s northern borders in the third century extended from Britain, along the Rhine and Danube Rivers, to the Black Sea. Along the south it included northern Africa, Egypt, [...]
