Rome’s Crisis of the Third Century

How the empire nearly collapsed under plagues, invasions, inflation, and 50 emperors in 50 years.

INTRO — THE 50-YEAR COLLAPSE

The Roman Empire did not collapse suddenly in 476 AD.
The real collapse almost happened two centuries earlier, in the 3rd century.

Between 235 and 284 AD, Rome suffered:

• 50+ emperors (most murdered)

• constant civil wars

• barbarian invasions on every frontier

• a mega-plague that killed millions

• hyperinflation so severe coins were nearly worthless

• defeats in the East

• the empire literally breaking into three pieces

• economic implosion

• state bankruptcy

This was not a crisis.

This was Rome’s nervous breakdown.

And yet… Rome survived.

How?

Let’s go into the madness.

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