The Crisis of the Third Century: A Pivotal Era of Ancient Rome

Q: What were the three empires of the Crisis of the Third Century?

The three empires of the Crisis of the Third Century were the Roman Empire, the Gallic Empire, and the Palmyrene Empire.

Q: Who resolved the Crisis of the Third Century?

The Crisis of the Third Century was first resolved by Aurelian, who put down the rebellions, and, finally, by Diocletian.

Q: What caused the Crisis of the Third Century?

The Crisis of the Third Century had many causes, including a shift in the model of leadership, economic depression, the plague, and a decrease in the agricultural labor force.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

The Crisis of the Third Century (also known as the Imperial Crisis, 235-284) was the period in the history of the Roman Empire during which it splintered into three separate political entities: the Gallic Empire, the Roman Empire, and the Palmyrene Empire. These breakaway empires, as well as the social turmoil and chaos which characterized the period, resulted from a number of factors:

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Timeline

235 CE - 284 CE
The Crisis of the Third Century in Rome; period of the barracks emperors.
260 CE
Postumus founds the "breakaway" Gallic Empire, seceding from Roman Empire.
c. 270 CE
Zenobia breaks away from Roman Empire to found Palmyrene Empire.
272 CE
The Battle of Immae between the Roman forces under Aurelian and the Palmyrenes under Zenobia in which Rome triumphed.
272 CE
Aurelian defeats Zenobia at the Battle of Emesa; Palmyrene Empire falls to Rome.
274 CE
Aurelian defeats the forces of Tetricus I at the Battle of Chalons; Gallic Empire falls to Rome.
284 CE - 275 CE
Crisis of the Third Century resolved during the reign of Diocletian.

The Crisis of the Third Century

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Definition

Timeline