The Year of the Six Emperors

In 235, Maximinus Thrax rose from humble origins as a lowly soldier to the position of emperor, but the reign of this military strongman accelerated pushed Rome to the limit, placing immense strain on the empire's economy, fiscal health and military readiness. His status as an outsider to the senatorial elite, and an aggressive tax policy soon led to revolt and disorder When civil war inevitably broke out in 238, the Senate opted to safeguard against future tyranny by dividing power and appointing two Emperors. Their unpopular decision provoked riots in Rome, but rather than igniting the roman masses to push for change, all they revealed was the slow death of the Roman political imagination This history documentary looks at how this pivotal moment in the Roman Empire mirrors past civil discord, explaining how the evolution of politics in Rome from the Republic to the Empire failed to address the key fault lines that were dividing Rome. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @tribunatespqr   Related Content: The Crisis of the Third Century -    • The Crisis of the Third Century   Debunking the Pax Romana:    • Debunking the Pax Romana: War, Rebellion, ...   The Collapse of Legitimacy and Rome's 3rd Century Crisis -    • The Collapse of Legitimacy and Rome's 3rd ...   Gordian III: The Paradox of Power -    • Gordian III: The Paradox of Power   Support us on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/tribunate... Ancient Sources The Life of Gaius Gracchus - Plutarch Historia Augusta Roman History - Herodian Modern Sources The Roman Empire at Bay - David S. Potter Aurelian and the Third Century - Alaric Watson Imperial Rome AD 193 to 284: The Critical Century - Clifford Ando The Fate of Rome - Kyle Harper How Rome Fell - Adrian Goldsworthy Roman Power: A Thousand Years of Empire - William Harris Branding and design by Kate Hillstead: katehillstead.com Host sculpture portraits by Daisydewdles: instagram.com/daisydewdles #spqr #history #ancienthistory #rome