Maximinus Thrax 235–238 CE

1. Maximinus Thrax (235–238 CE) ●​ Seized power after the assassination of Severus Alexander near Mainz. ●​ Maintained power through military campaigns against the Germans and Sarmatians. ●​ “Maximinus did not follow the usual practice of successful usurpers by moving to Rome, but chose to continue the German campaign” (p. 30). ●​ His reign was marked by brutal taxation and military rule, leading to revolts. ●​ The Senate opposed him, declaring support for Gordian I and II in Africa. ●​ Maximinus was killed by his own troops ○​ Siege of Aquileia 238 2. The Year of the Six Emperors (238 CE) ●​ Gordian I and II (Proclaimed in Africa) ○​ “Resistance by the rich to the exactions of an over-zealous imperial procurator led to this official’s murder” (p. 31). ○​ Quickly defeated by Numidian governor Capelianus. ●​ Pupienus and Balbinus (Appointed by the Senate) ○​ Faced immediate opposition from the Praetorian Guard and Roman mob. ●​ Gordian III (238–244 CE) ○​ The 13-year-old grandson of Gordian I was proclaimed emperor ■​ This was under Senate pressure. ■​ This was to have senate to have easier control over the government ○​ “Pupienus and Balbinus were both leading senators... their appointment was a makeshift” (p. 32). ○​ Balbinus and Pupienus were assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in August 238, leaving Gordian III as sole ruler. 3. Gordian III and Persian Wars (238–244 CE) ●​ Initially controlled by Senate-backed officials. ●​ “To point up the contrast between him and the ‘rude’ Maximinus, Gordian III was projected as the cultured philhellene” (p. 34). ●​ Led a campaign against the Sassanid Persian King Shapur I but was either killed in battle or assassinated by his troops. ●​ Philip the Arab negotiated a costly peace and became emperor. 4. Philip the Arab (244–249 CE) ●​ Celebrated Rome’s 1000th anniversary in 248. ●​ “Philip needed to leave Persia with all speed... he commanded a defeated army for whose failure he could be held at least partially responsible” (p. 36). ●​ Increased military expenditures and taxation led to his downfall. ●​ Overthrown and killed by Decius in 249. 5. Decius (249–251 CE) ●​ Led campaigns against Gothic invasions. ●​ “Persecution of Christianity began close to the beginning of his reign and was by the spring of 251 causing great tension in Rome” (p. 39). ●​ Killed at the Battle of Abrittus (251) against the Goths, ●​ First Roman emperor to die in battle with enemy. 6. Trebonianus Gallus (251–253 CE) ●​ Signed a humiliating treaty with the Goths, agreeing to pay them annual subsidies. ●​ Allowed the plague to devastate Rome without effective response. ●​ Overthrown by his own troops in favor of Aemilian. 7. Aemilian (253 CE) ●​ Ruled for only three months, killed by his own troops in favor of Valerian. 8. Valerian and Gallienus (253–260 CE) ●​ Valerian took the East, while his son Gallienus ruled the West. ●​ Valerian was captured by the Persians in 260 CE, the first Roman emperor to be taken prisoner. ○​ “After capturing Valerian, Shapur took Carrhae and perhaps Edessa” (p. 42). ●​ Gallienus faced multiple threats: ○​ Breakaway empires: Postumus created the Gallic Empire (260–274 CE). ○​ Alamanni and Gothic invasions weakened the empire. ○​ Strengthened Rome’s cavalry forces and excluded senators from military command. 9. Gallienus (260–268 CE) and the Gothic Raids ●​ Developed a mobile cavalry army to combat frontier threats. ●​ Suppressed multiple rebellions and breakaway states. ●​ “Gallienus had stabilized a very dangerous situation and, with the taxation of only the central provinces to draw on, may have been inhibited from more ambitious action by financial constraints” (p. 46). ●​ Massive Gothic invasions in 267–268 CE threatened Greece and the Balkans. ●​ Gallienus was assassinated in 268 by his own officers, leading to the rise of Claudius II.