Emperor Alexander Severus
Life: AD 208 – 235 Marcus Julius Gessius Alexianus, known as Alexander Severus was born in AD 208 in Caesarea (sub-Libano) in Phoenicia. He was the son of Gessius Marcianus …
Search Results for: Alexander Severus
Why didn’t Alexander the Great conquer Rome?
During the 4th century BC, Greece was a patchwork of city-states and kingdoms tangled in rivalries. Philip II of Macedon took advantage of this to expand significantly, gaining influence over …
Emperor Severus
Life: AD 145 – 211 Early Life Lucius Septimius Severus was born on 1 April AD 145 at Lepcis Magna in Tripolitania. His family was of African descent. His paternal …
Cassius Dio: The Senator Who Chronicled the Rise and Fall of Rome
Introduction: The Voice of an Empire Among the many historians of ancient Rome, Cassius Dio holds a special place. He wasn’t a writer who read and worked with old records—he …
Why Rome’s Golden Age Ended? – The Turmoil Between 180-235 AD
After the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD, Rome entered a time of major change. The long rule of stable and wise emperors ended. Instead, unrest, economic problems, and …
Crisis of the Third Century of the Roman Empire
For centuries, the Roman Empire experienced both moments of stability and times of crisis. Its early strength came from strong leadership, military power, and territorial growth, which helped the empire …
How did Rome Almost Collapse 2 Centuries Earlier? – The Crisis of the Third Century
During the tumultuous Third Century, the Roman Empire faced a period of crisis that brought it to the brink of collapse. With a deluge of invading tribes, economic difficulties, and …
Emperor Valerian
Life: AD c. 195 – 260 Early Life Valerian, a descendant of a distinguished family from Etruria, was born in about AD 195. He served as consul in the 230s …
Emperor Maximinus Thrax
Life: AD c.173 – 238 Traditionally the birth of Maximinus Thrax is stated as having been either in AD 172 or 173, as was believed by the ancient historians. Today …
Emperor Elagabalus
Life: AD 204 – 222 Early Life of Elagabalus Elagabalus was born Varius Avitus Bassianus in AD 203 or 204 at Emesa in Syria. He was the son of the …
Emperor Caracalla
Life: AD 188 – 217 Early Life Caracalla was born on 4 April AD 188 in Lugdunum (Lyons), being named Lucius Septimius Bassianus. His last name was given to him …
The Decline of the Roman Empire
Period: AD 193 – 337 Second Crisis of the EmpireAD 193 – 194 Publius Helvius Pertinax – “Pertinax” Reign: AD 193 Whatever the nature of the conspiracy against Commodus, it …
How did the Eastern Romans try to Retake their former Empire?
During the third century, the Roman Empire faced growing instability and division, eventually splitting into distinct eastern and western halves. While the Western Roman Empire faded, the Eastern part, later …