The vastness of the Roman empire challenged the very best of the emperors such as Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius. The accession of Commodus in 193 AD signalled the end of the Pax Romana. Civil war, frequent assassinations of emperors and the growing power of the army as the basis of government created a great deal of instability. Despite the reforms of Diocletian 284-311 AD and later Constantine 306-337 AD, the western empire could not withstand the series of invasions by Germanic Goths and the western empire collapsed throughout the 5th century AD.
- Goldsworthy, Adrian, Pax Romana, War, Peace and Consequences, 2016, Yale Uni Press, ISBN 13 :9780300178821
- Grant, Michael, The Collapse and Recovery of the Roman Empire, 2012, Routledge, ISBN : 0415642299
- Roman Empire in 193 AD and the end of Pax Romana
- Severan Dynasty 193-235 AD, increasing violence and reliance on the army for basis of power
- Enemies of the Roman Empire and failure to keep the border safe
- Close to anarchy 235-310 AD, frequent assassinations, civil wars and invasions by the Goths across the Rhine border
- Reforms of Diocletian 284-311 AD and their ultimate failure to preserve the Pax Romana
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Gain an appreciation of the factors which led to the gradual disintegration of the vast Roman Empire in the 3rd century AD
- Discuss the shorter term and longer term consequences for Rome and for Western and Eastern Europe of the collapse in the 5th century AD
- Identify the key figures in the period and their failed attempts to save the empire
