Early medieval notes 2
Crisis of Third Century
Diocletian
Was awesome
Saved the Roman empire
Problems
Problem of succession – how next one chosen
Size
Urban and rural
Cities draining country
East west imbalance
Armies – staffed by barbarians
Problems of replacing generations
Disease
Death childbirth
Infant mortality
Problems in 3rd century
Invasions – Persian
Back as far as Heroditus
First western historian
370BC
Persia on till 7th century
Valerian captured by Persians
Danube and Rhine – bulwarks against Barbarians
Decius died 251 fighting goths
235 to 280 30 emperors
Some lasting months
Assassinated by own troops – most
How choose
Sometimes family
2nd – choose
Other – military leaders
Rome becoming less and less relevant
Rome 271 Aurelian walled the city
Third century
Ruled by succession of generals
Not rich
Hold senate in contempt
Not well educated
Donative – reward from new emperor
Plotinus – flourished in third century
New Platonist
Big inflation problems
Romans didn’t have debt financing
Debase coinage – don’t put in as much silver or gold
Go to buy stuff – price 50% up as coins not good
Local elites – ruined
Sardis
People not interested who move in
Interested in religions that cross borders
Diocletian abdicated 305
Son of ex-slave
From Dalmatia
Under severe guidance empire reformed
Empire militarised
Changed in taxes
Change and grow army
Nearly doubled
200,000 to 400,000
No income tax as is based more on land than on salary
Admin values land, estates
Each 15 years change estimate
Diocletian improve mail system
Also more punishment for tax avoidance
Establishment of tetrarchy
Divided empire in west and east
Gets co-emperor in west he in east
And each has helper
Augusti – boss
Caesar – helpers
Emperor distant glimpsed
Not appear in public
He’s a god
Throw yourself at his feet
Don’t look at him till he says so
285 Diocletian
Maximian
306 brings down
Son of Augusti not appointed
Rebels
Fixed prices on goods – trying to deal with inflation
Gresham’s law? Coinage
Fixed price
Legal price stuff is rubbish
Better stuff is more expensive on black market
Diocletian’s policies failed
Tetrarchy
Fixed prices
Christianity
Liver told Diocletian Christians were responsible
Successful
Saved Roman Empire for 100 years
And east for 1200 years
People at time felt saved from disaster
Mosaic – a world restored
On whole things good in fourth century
Prosperous
Barbarians back
Persians back
Trier great in Germany
Milan