Transformations in Roman Europe in Late Antiquity By the time of Hadrian, the Roman Empire was a very stable melting pot. So much so that many emperors were “provincial”: e.g., Septimius Severus was from Libya and his wife, Julia Domna from Syria. But problems would arise: • Increasing conflict amongst Roman leaders that would lead to civil war, ca. AD 217-284 and an East-West rift in Empire (4th-5th c. AD); • Increasing movement amongst free native Europeans and pressure from outside groups, such as the Huns; • Natives’ increasing knowledge of the Empire – benefits of civilization, social and military organization, law, economy; • Part of East/West rift involved Christianity – East more strongly Christian, viewed West as still largely “pagan” – therefore sometimes let barbarians in the back door (perhaps with view that East could claim West).
Overview of urban developments in Rome during late Roman Empire
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Transformations in Roman Europe in Late Antiquity
By the time of Hadrian, the Roman Empire was a very stable melting pot. So much
so that many emperors were “provincial”: e.g., Septimius Severus was from Libya
and his wife, Julia Domna from Syria. But problems would arise:
• Increasing conflict amongst Roman leaders that would lead to civil war,
ca. AD 217-284 and an East-West rift in Empire (4th-5th c. AD);
• Increasing movement amongst free native Europeans and pressure from outside
groups, such as the Huns;
• Natives’ increasing knowledge of the Empire – benefits of civilization, social and
military organization, law, economy;
• Part of East/West rift involved Christianity – East more strongly Christian, viewed
West as still largely “pagan” – therefore sometimes let barbarians in the back door
(perhaps with view that East could claim West).
Third century AD crisis
Factors:
Breakdown in dynastic system and rise of usurpers with personal ambitions;
Strength of army and Praetorian Guard coupled with weakening of the Senate;
Pressure from “barbarian” groups.
Intellectual challenges – what did “Roman” mean? Augustus lay 250 years in the
past.
Senate and People of Rome
Sacred in Republic and Early Empire, although disregarded by certain emperors
such as Caligula and Nero.
The more “Rome” meant the Empire, rather than city, SPQR were less effective.
Still yearly elections; also aristocracy increasinging non Italian – spread
throughout Empire; thus inability to convene in a serious manner. People more
frequently seeking election for power and wealth rather than to serve the State.
Nevertheless, solid through early Severan period.
Government was increasingly bureaucratic – Empire thrived well, but not so
many strong and ambitious leaders amongst the political ranks.
Army and Praetorian Guard
Army, at first, highly mobile – troops not maintained in same place for very long
and Auxiliary troops mixed (Tower of Babel theory – if soliders do not develop
strong ties to each other, they cannot pose an internal threat.
With relative peace, soldiers often in given location for long time and cohorts
based in frontier zones for generations. Psychologically – this leads to greater
sense of power. Strong ties to governors who are seeing to their upkeep and
pay.
Praetorian Guard (10,000 men) =
Emperor’s body guard and elite military
unit. Praetorian Prefect was leader.
Already at time of Tiberius, there was a
conspiracy vs. the Emperor. Few
Emperors were killed, though, but
increased violence and plots in late 2rd
and early 3rd century until the Crisis.
Dissolved by Constantine.
With the exception of the Marcomannic-Sarmatian wars under Marcus
Aurelius, the frontier zone was quite stable for much of Imperial period.