Commodus was killed by a conspiracy involving Quintus
Aemilius Laetusand his wife Marcia in late 192 AD. The following year is
known as theYear
of the Five Emperors. Pertinax, Didius
Julianus, Pescennius
Niger,Clodius
Albinus and Septimius
Severus fought for the imperial
dignity. After many battles against the other generals, Severus established
himself as the new emperor. He and his successors governed with the legions'
support – and they paid money for this support. The changes on coinage and
military expenditures were the root of the financial crisis that marked the Crisis
of the 3rd century.
Septimius SeverusSeverus was enthroned after invading Rome and having Didius Julianuskilled. His two other rivals,Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, were both were hailed as Imperator. Severus quickly subdued Niger inByzantium and promised to Albinus the title of Caesar (which meant he would be a co-emperor).[113] However, Severus betrayed Albinus by blaming him on a plot against his life. Severus marched to Gaul and defeated Albinus. For these acts, Machiavellisaid that Severus was "a ferocious lion and a clever fox"[114] Severus attempted to revive totalitarianism and in an address to people and the Senate, he praised the severity and cruelty of Marius and Sulla, which worried the senators.[115] When Parthia invaded Roman territory, Severus waged war against that country. He seized the cities of Nisibis, Babylon andSeleucia. Reaching Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital, he ordered a great plunder and his army slew and captured many people. Albeit this military success, he failed in invading Hatra, a rich Arabian city. Severus killed his legate, for the latter was gaining respect from the legions; and his soldiers were hit by famine. After this disastrous campaign, he withdrew.[116] Severus also intended to vanquish the whole of Britain. In order to achieve this, he waged war against the Caledonians. After many casualties in the army due to the terrain and the barbarians' ambushes, Severus went himself to the field. However, he became ill and died in 211 AD.From Caracalla to Alexander SeverusUpon the death of Severus, his sons Caracalla and Geta were made emperors. Caracalla got rid of his brother in that same year. Like his father, Caracalla was a warlike man. He continued Severus' policy, and gained respect from the legions. Caracalla was a cruel man, and ordered several slayings during his reign. He ordered the death of people of his own circle, like his tutor, Cilo, and a friend of his father,Papinian. Knowing that the citizens of Alexandria disliked him and were speaking ill of his character, he slew almost the entire population of the city. Arriving there, he served a banquet for the notable citizens. After that, his soldiers killed all the guests, and he marched into the city with the army, slaying most of Alexandria's people.[117][118] In 212, he issued the Edict of Caracalla, giving full Roman citizenship to all free men living in the Empire. Caracalla was murdered by one of his soldiers during a campaign in Parthia, in 217 AD. The Praetorian prefect Macrinus, who ordered Caracalla's murder, assumed power. His brief reign ended in 218, when the youngsterElagabalus, a relative of the Severi, gained support from the legionaries and fought against Macrinus. Elagabalus was an incompetent and lascivious ruler,[119] who was well known for extreme extravagance.Cassius Dio, Herodian and the Historia Augusta have many accounts about his extravagance. Elagabalus was succeeded by his cousin Alexander Severus. Alexander waged war against many foes, like the revitalized Persia and German peoples who invaded Gaul. His losses made the soldiers dissatisfied with the emperor, and some of them killed him during his German campaign, in 235 AD.[120] |
About us|Jobs|Help|Disclaimer|Advertising services|Contact us|Sign in|Website map|Search|
GMT+8, 2015-9-11 20:58 , Processed in 0.131252 second(s), 16 queries .
