Roman History 22 - Alexander To Decius 222-251 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 106 Barbarian at the Rome episode 106 Barbarian at the Rome episode 106 Barbarian at the [Music] [Music] [Music] gate the first8 years of Alexander sas's gate the first8 years of Alexander sas's gate the first8 years of Alexander sas's Reign proved to be a relatively quiet Reign proved to be a relatively quiet Reign proved to be a relatively quiet and prosperous time for the Empire the and prosperous time for the Empire the and prosperous time for the Empire the period was not totally without problems period was not totally without problems period was not totally without problems as evidenced by the periodic mutinies in as evidenced by the periodic mutinies in as evidenced by the periodic mutinies in the Army but compared to what had come the Army but compared to what had come the Army but compared to what had come before and what was going to come after before and what was going to come after before and what was going to come after the mid to late 220s ad was pretty much the mid to late 220s ad was pretty much the mid to late 220s ad was pretty much heaven on Earth taxes were low the heaven on Earth taxes were low the heaven on Earth taxes were low the Frontiers were quiet and the Imperial Frontiers were quiet and the Imperial Frontiers were quiet and the Imperial regime was regime was regime was stable that period of relative calm stable that period of relative calm stable that period of relative calm however is about to come to an abrupt however is about to come to an abrupt however is about to come to an abrupt end in 230 ad the new saned king artier end in 230 ad the new saned king artier end in 230 ad the new saned king artier who we introduced last week made the who we introduced last week made the who we introduced last week made the Bold decision to begin attacking the Bold decision to begin attacking the Bold decision to begin attacking the Roman Empire he was an aggressive and Roman Empire he was an aggressive and Roman Empire he was an aggressive and ambitious leader and it is reported that ambitious leader and it is reported that ambitious leader and it is reported that his ultimate objective may have been to his ultimate objective may have been to his ultimate objective may have been to completely dislodge the Romans from the completely dislodge the Romans from the completely dislodge the Romans from the East which was an aggressive and East which was an aggressive and East which was an aggressive and ambitious goal to say the ambitious goal to say the ambitious goal to say the least he amassed an Army on the banks of least he amassed an Army on the banks of least he amassed an Army on the banks of the Tigress river which at the time had the Tigress river which at the time had the Tigress river which at the time had been serving as the de facto Roman been serving as the de facto Roman been serving as the de facto Roman parthan border and began raiding the parthan border and began raiding the parthan border and began raiding the Roman positions in Roman positions in Roman positions in Mesopotamia at the very least artier Mesopotamia at the very least artier Mesopotamia at the very least artier planned to reclaim this critical region planned to reclaim this critical region planned to reclaim this critical region which had again Fallen under Roman which had again Fallen under Roman which had again Fallen under Roman control during the reign of control during the reign of control during the reign of kakawa arir raids sent alarm bells kakawa arir raids sent alarm bells kakawa arir raids sent alarm bells ringing across the Empire as observers ringing across the Empire as observers ringing across the Empire as observers of Eastern politics knew that artier and of Eastern politics knew that artier and of Eastern politics knew that artier and the cids were a dangerous new power

the cids were a dangerous new power the cids were a dangerous new power looking to make their mark on the looking to make their mark on the looking to make their mark on the world despite calls for him to world despite calls for him to world despite calls for him to immediately order a Counterattack immediately order a Counterattack immediately order a Counterattack Alexander responded not unreasonably by Alexander responded not unreasonably by Alexander responded not unreasonably by sending envoys to artier to figure out sending envoys to artier to figure out sending envoys to artier to figure out what was going what was going what was going on he was castigated for this timid on he was castigated for this timid on he was castigated for this timid response by many in the legions who response by many in the legions who response by many in the legions who accused Alexander of being a decadent accused Alexander of being a decadent accused Alexander of being a decadent coward afraid of fighting but Alexander coward afraid of fighting but Alexander coward afraid of fighting but Alexander wanted to be sure this wasn't all some wanted to be sure this wasn't all some wanted to be sure this wasn't all some misunderstanding before he started a war misunderstanding before he started a war misunderstanding before he started a war trying to end conflicts with words trying to end conflicts with words trying to end conflicts with words rather than swords is not a terrible rather than swords is not a terrible rather than swords is not a terrible policy as the offsitedatasync undoing the envoys met with artier and undoing the envoys met with artier and reminded the king of all applicable reminded the king of all applicable reminded the king of all applicable treaties and territorial claims and then treaties and territorial claims and then treaties and territorial claims and then informed the saned in no uncertain terms informed the saned in no uncertain terms informed the saned in no uncertain terms that they were encroaching on Roman land that they were encroaching on Roman land that they were encroaching on Roman land and thus risking War they went on to say and thus risking War they went on to say and thus risking War they went on to say that the emperor was more than happy to that the emperor was more than happy to that the emperor was more than happy to forget the whole thing as arure was new forget the whole thing as arure was new forget the whole thing as arure was new to the job and maybe didn't realize what to the job and maybe didn't realize what to the job and maybe didn't realize what he was doing but he had to stop his he was doing but he had to stop his he was doing but he had to stop his activities right now and stay on the activities right now and stay on the activities right now and stay on the East Bank of The East Bank of The East Bank of The Tigress artier thanked them for their Tigress artier thanked them for their Tigress artier thanked them for their message and told them that he knew message and told them that he knew message and told them that he knew exactly what he was doing that he was exactly what he was doing that he was exactly what he was doing that he was going to keep doing what he was doing going to keep doing what he was doing going to keep doing what he was doing and what are the Romans going to do and what are the Romans going to do and what are the Romans going to do about it if they're so

about it if they're so about it if they're so tough the envoys hastily sent word to tough the envoys hastily sent word to tough the envoys hastily sent word to Alexander that the CED King had refused Alexander that the CED King had refused Alexander that the CED King had refused to yield and so Alexander out of to yield and so Alexander out of to yield and so Alexander out of political and moral necessity mustered political and moral necessity mustered political and moral necessity mustered an army and prepared to March East unlike luus vus who had taken his East unlike luus vus who had taken his sweet time traveling to Antioch the last sweet time traveling to Antioch the last sweet time traveling to Antioch the last time the Eastern provinces had been time the Eastern provinces had been time the Eastern provinces had been under attack Alexander marched under attack Alexander marched under attack Alexander marched quickly on his way through Alyria he quickly on his way through Alyria he quickly on his way through Alyria he drafted a chunk of the danu legions into drafted a chunk of the danu legions into drafted a chunk of the danu legions into his expeditionary force and with an his expeditionary force and with an his expeditionary force and with an impressive Army at his back he arrived impressive Army at his back he arrived impressive Army at his back he arrived in Antioch in 231 ready to begin in Antioch in 231 ready to begin in Antioch in 231 ready to begin drilling for the expected drilling for the expected drilling for the expected campaign as his army prepared for war campaign as his army prepared for war campaign as his army prepared for war Alexander once again tried for Alexander once again tried for Alexander once again tried for peace with the Eastern Legion strongly peace with the Eastern Legion strongly peace with the Eastern Legion strongly reinforced and the emperor himself reinforced and the emperor himself reinforced and the emperor himself present on the scene Alexander hoped present on the scene Alexander hoped present on the scene Alexander hoped artier would see the error of his ways artier would see the error of his ways artier would see the error of his ways and back down from the and back down from the and back down from the confrontation but again though it was confrontation but again though it was confrontation but again though it was probably a prudent Overture the probably a prudent Overture the probably a prudent Overture the allegiance were disgusted with Alexander allegiance were disgusted with Alexander allegiance were disgusted with Alexander for continuing to jaw jaw when he should for continuing to jaw jaw when he should for continuing to jaw jaw when he should be making war be making war be making war war they accused the Emperor of being war they accused the Emperor of being war they accused the Emperor of being too addicted to the Comforts of Rome to too addicted to the Comforts of Rome to too addicted to the Comforts of Rome to defend the Empire defend the Empire defend the Empire honorably I'm willing to give Alexander honorably I'm willing to give Alexander honorably I'm willing to give Alexander the benefit of the doubt as to his the benefit of the doubt as to his the benefit of the doubt as to his motivations but given his later conduct motivations but given his later conduct motivations but given his later conduct it's not exactly implausible that the it's not exactly implausible that the it's not exactly implausible that the young Emperor really was just trying to young Emperor really was just trying to young Emperor really was just trying to get out of having to endure the get out of having to endure the get out of having to endure the hardships of a military

campaign while he waited for arar's campaign while he waited for arar's reply the emperor and his lieutenants reply the emperor and his lieutenants reply the emperor and his lieutenants struggled to hold the assembled Legions struggled to hold the assembled Legions struggled to hold the assembled Legions together discontentment with Alexander's together discontentment with Alexander's together discontentment with Alexander's leadership had become second nature to leadership had become second nature to leadership had become second nature to the soldiers who were annoyed not just the soldiers who were annoyed not just the soldiers who were annoyed not just with the constant peace offerings with the constant peace offerings with the constant peace offerings but also with the fact that Julia Mia but also with the fact that Julia Mia but also with the fact that Julia Mia was right there with her son in his tent was right there with her son in his tent was right there with her son in his tent controlling him and by extension controlling him and by extension controlling him and by extension them Not only was it bothersome that them Not only was it bothersome that them Not only was it bothersome that they were being led by a woman or a boy they were being led by a woman or a boy they were being led by a woman or a boy being controlled by a woman which is being controlled by a woman which is being controlled by a woman which is somehow just a little bit worse but somehow just a little bit worse but somehow just a little bit worse but Julia in particular was not a beloved Julia in particular was not a beloved Julia in particular was not a beloved figure in the figure in the figure in the Army as I hinted at last week Julia's Army as I hinted at last week Julia's Army as I hinted at last week Julia's conduct eventually became a liability conduct eventually became a liability conduct eventually became a liability for Alexander and it was during the for Alexander and it was during the for Alexander and it was during the Eastern campaign pain that this became Eastern campaign pain that this became Eastern campaign pain that this became apparent the big problem was that Julia apparent the big problem was that Julia apparent the big problem was that Julia Mia loved money not that things money Mia loved money not that things money Mia loved money not that things money could buy but the money itself she loved could buy but the money itself she loved could buy but the money itself she loved money in the way that Ebenezer Scrooge money in the way that Ebenezer Scrooge money in the way that Ebenezer Scrooge loved money she loved to acquire it and loved money she loved to acquire it and loved money she loved to acquire it and she hated to spend she hated to spend she hated to spend it so while Alexander's regime is often it so while Alexander's regime is often it so while Alexander's regime is often praised for its modesty and that they praised for its modesty and that they praised for its modesty and that they didn't spend exorbitant amounts on food didn't spend exorbitant amounts on food didn't spend exorbitant amounts on food and clothes and parties they often SLI and clothes and parties they often SLI and clothes and parties they often SLI too far the other way and were were too far the other way and were were too far the other way and were were accused of excessive accused of excessive accused of excessive miserliness especially by the miserliness especially by the miserliness especially by the legions they had watched their pay cut legions they had watched their pay cut legions they had watched their pay cut and their donativos away and all the while they donativos away and all the while they had watched juliia Mia carefully collect had watched juliia Mia carefully collect had watched juliia Mia carefully collect and then sit on tax

and then sit on tax and then sit on tax revenue the emperor wasn't too broke to revenue the emperor wasn't too broke to revenue the emperor wasn't too broke to pay the legance what they thought they pay the legance what they thought they pay the legance what they thought they deserved he was just too deserved he was just too deserved he was just too stingy but everyone knew that it wasn't stingy but everyone knew that it wasn't stingy but everyone knew that it wasn't the Emperor who was stingy it was his the Emperor who was stingy it was his the Emperor who was stingy it was his mother that lady in the tent over there mother that lady in the tent over there mother that lady in the tent over there she's the one who keeps our ration she's the one who keeps our ration she's the one who keeps our ration standard and our camps rough and she's standard and our camps rough and she's standard and our camps rough and she's the same lady who's telling her son to the same lady who's telling her son to the same lady who's telling her son to make peace with the sanit rather than make peace with the sanit rather than make peace with the sanit rather than punish them for their punish them for their punish them for their transgressions no it is fair to say that transgressions no it is fair to say that transgressions no it is fair to say that the legions didn't like Julia one bit so Alexander's Eastern Army was bit so Alexander's Eastern Army was plagued by plagued by plagued by Mutiny the soldiers coming out of Egypt Mutiny the soldiers coming out of Egypt Mutiny the soldiers coming out of Egypt seem particularly insubordinate but the seem particularly insubordinate but the seem particularly insubordinate but the men of the danu Le were right behind men of the danu Le were right behind men of the danu Le were right behind them they were unused to the Syrian them they were unused to the Syrian them they were unused to the Syrian climate and disease broke out almost as climate and disease broke out almost as climate and disease broke out almost as soon as they arrived far from home they soon as they arrived far from home they soon as they arrived far from home they began dropping like began dropping like began dropping like flies supposedly they were there to flies supposedly they were there to flies supposedly they were there to fight a war but instead the emperor was fight a war but instead the emperor was fight a war but instead the emperor was futzing around trying to call the whole futzing around trying to call the whole futzing around trying to call the whole thing off which meant that maybe they thing off which meant that maybe they thing off which meant that maybe they had been dragged out to this godforsaken had been dragged out to this godforsaken had been dragged out to this godforsaken desert for no reason and now they were desert for no reason and now they were desert for no reason and now they were maybe dying for no maybe dying for no maybe dying for no reason this as you can imagine was not a reason this as you can imagine was not a reason this as you can imagine was not a recipe for for happy recipe for for happy recipe for for happy soldiers so it was perhaps lucky for soldiers so it was perhaps lucky for soldiers so it was perhaps lucky for Alexander that artier again rebuffed his Alexander that artier again rebuffed his Alexander that artier again rebuffed his advances in reply to Alexander's latest advances in reply to Alexander's latest advances in reply to Alexander's latest peace offering the CED King demanded peace offering the CED King demanded peace offering the CED King demanded that the Romans completely withdraw from that the Romans completely withdraw from that the Romans completely withdraw from their Eastern provinces and Seed all their Eastern provinces and Seed all their Eastern provinces and Seed all territory east of the helispot to the

territory east of the helispot to the territory east of the helispot to the cits so yeah I guess the time had come cits so yeah I guess the time had come cits so yeah I guess the time had come for war war in 232 Alexander and his generals war in 232 Alexander and his generals divided up the legions and set into divided up the legions and set into divided up the legions and set into motion their plan for a three-pronged motion their plan for a three-pronged motion their plan for a three-pronged invasion of parthan territory wait are invasion of parthan territory wait are invasion of parthan territory wait are we still calling it Parthia who is this we still calling it Parthia who is this we still calling it Parthia who is this that we're even fighting these that we're even fighting these that we're even fighting these days one arm was to head north and take days one arm was to head north and take days one arm was to head north and take the route through Armenia to Media the the route through Armenia to Media the the route through Armenia to Media the second arm would circle around the South second arm would circle around the South second arm would circle around the South and then plunge North well east of where and then plunge North well east of where and then plunge North well east of where artier would be expecting an invasion artier would be expecting an invasion artier would be expecting an invasion Force to Force to Force to appear the main Army led by the emperor appear the main Army led by the emperor appear the main Army led by the emperor himself would March through the middle himself would March through the middle himself would March through the middle directly at the heart of the directly at the heart of the directly at the heart of the enemy the point of all this was to enemy the point of all this was to enemy the point of all this was to divide artier attention with attacks on divide artier attention with attacks on divide artier attention with attacks on multiple fronts so that he would split multiple fronts so that he would split multiple fronts so that he would split his forces and all three of the Roman his forces and all three of the Roman his forces and all three of the Roman arms would enjoy a numerical arms would enjoy a numerical arms would enjoy a numerical Advantage it was a great strategy in Advantage it was a great strategy in Advantage it was a great strategy in theory in practice it didn't work out theory in practice it didn't work out theory in practice it didn't work out quite as planned especially since quite as planned especially since quite as planned especially since Alexander never led the key attack on Alexander never led the key attack on Alexander never led the key attack on the middle of SED territory leaving his the middle of SED territory leaving his the middle of SED territory leaving his two Wings exposed to artier forces the whole operation got off to a shaky the whole operation got off to a shaky start anyway though as the northern Tre start anyway though as the northern Tre start anyway though as the northern Tre through the Armenian mountains turned through the Armenian mountains turned through the Armenian mountains turned out to be far more difficult than the out to be far more difficult than the out to be far more difficult than the Romans were Romans were Romans were anticipating but after an arduous anticipating but after an arduous anticipating but after an arduous Journey they emerged from the mountains Journey they emerged from the mountains Journey they emerged from the mountains more or less intact and immediately more or less intact and immediately more or less intact and immediately besieged the key cities of

besieged the key cities of besieged the key cities of media this assault had the intended media this assault had the intended media this assault had the intended effect on artier who was compelled to effect on artier who was compelled to effect on artier who was compelled to peel off a significant portion of his peel off a significant portion of his peel off a significant portion of his troops to deal with this crisis in the troops to deal with this crisis in the troops to deal with this crisis in the North in the south things went much North in the south things went much North in the south things went much better for the invading Legions at least better for the invading Legions at least better for the invading Legions at least at first and just as planned they at first and just as planned they at first and just as planned they marched North from the Confluence of the marched North from the Confluence of the marched North from the Confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and much to Tigris and Euphrates rivers and much to Tigris and Euphrates rivers and much to arir surprise the saned king suddenly arir surprise the saned king suddenly arir surprise the saned king suddenly had to deal with a Roman army deep in had to deal with a Roman army deep in had to deal with a Roman army deep in his own his own his own territory leaving behind what he hoped territory leaving behind what he hoped territory leaving behind what he hoped would be enough men in media artier would be enough men in media artier would be enough men in media artier rushed East with the rest of his troops rushed East with the rest of his troops rushed East with the rest of his troops to deal with the new front the Romans to deal with the new front the Romans to deal with the new front the Romans had opened up so far everything was had opened up so far everything was had opened up so far everything was working out exactly as the r had hoped working out exactly as the r had hoped working out exactly as the r had hoped the CED forces were divided and the CED forces were divided and the CED forces were divided and strategically scrambled all that was strategically scrambled all that was strategically scrambled all that was left was for Alexander to lead the main left was for Alexander to lead the main left was for Alexander to lead the main Roman army across the Tigers and the Roman army across the Tigers and the Roman army across the Tigers and the sanage would be sanage would be sanage would be overwhelmed but this last crucial step overwhelmed but this last crucial step overwhelmed but this last crucial step was not taken it seems that Alexander was not taken it seems that Alexander was not taken it seems that Alexander had come to believe that things were had come to believe that things were had come to believe that things were going so well that his part of the plan going so well that his part of the plan going so well that his part of the plan was now was now was now unnecessary the soldiers under his unnecessary the soldiers under his unnecessary the soldiers under his command eager to get in the fight were command eager to get in the fight were command eager to get in the fight were appalled and now convinced Beyond any appalled and now convinced Beyond any appalled and now convinced Beyond any doubt that their leader was either a doubt that their leader was either a doubt that their leader was either a coward or a weakling dominated by a coward or a weakling dominated by a coward or a weakling dominated by a cowardly mother this decision not to invade would mother this decision not to invade would have disastrous have disastrous have disastrous consequences the force marching up from consequences the force marching up from consequences the force marching up from the south believed that the emperor had the south believed that the emperor had the south believed that the emperor had already invaded and thus that their West already invaded and thus that their West already invaded and thus that their West flank was totally flank was totally flank was totally protected but without Alexander's Army

protected but without Alexander's Army protected but without Alexander's Army getting in the way artier was able to getting in the way artier was able to getting in the way artier was able to take a straight line to the unsuspecting take a straight line to the unsuspecting take a straight line to the unsuspecting Legions and then hit them with a force Legions and then hit them with a force Legions and then hit them with a force far in excess of any anything they had far in excess of any anything they had far in excess of any anything they had prepared prepared prepared for believing themselves safe on the for believing themselves safe on the for believing themselves safe on the left the legions had been sloppy in left the legions had been sloppy in left the legions had been sloppy in their defenses and so when artier their defenses and so when artier their defenses and so when artier appeared on the horizon with a huge CED appeared on the horizon with a huge CED appeared on the horizon with a huge CED Army behind him they were taken totally Army behind him they were taken totally Army behind him they were taken totally by by by surprise surprise is such a coveted surprise surprise is such a coveted surprise surprise is such a coveted element of War because it so often leads element of War because it so often leads element of War because it so often leads directly to Total Victory and in this directly to Total Victory and in this directly to Total Victory and in this case the point was proved case the point was proved case the point was proved decisively after an improvised attempt decisively after an improvised attempt decisively after an improvised attempt to defend themselves failed the prised to defend themselves failed the prised to defend themselves failed the prised Legions were overrun and cut down to the Legions were overrun and cut down to the Legions were overrun and cut down to the last man back in Roman Territory news of the man back in Roman Territory news of the disaster was met with grief and fury by disaster was met with grief and fury by disaster was met with grief and fury by Alexander's Army there was absolutely no Alexander's Army there was absolutely no Alexander's Army there was absolutely no reason why their comrade should have reason why their comrade should have reason why their comrade should have been hung out to dry like that here they been hung out to dry like that here they been hung out to dry like that here they were the largest of the three divisions were the largest of the three divisions were the largest of the three divisions sitting on the sidelines twiddling their sitting on the sidelines twiddling their sitting on the sidelines twiddling their thumbs while out there men were dying thumbs while out there men were dying thumbs while out there men were dying for a lack of for a lack of for a lack of support the Damage Done to Alex ander's support the Damage Done to Alex ander's support the Damage Done to Alex ander's reputation was reputation was reputation was incalculable but what was done was done incalculable but what was done was done incalculable but what was done was done and the emperor realizing that the and the emperor realizing that the and the emperor realizing that the initial Invasion plan was now busted initial Invasion plan was now busted initial Invasion plan was now busted ordered the northern arm back to Antioch ordered the northern arm back to Antioch ordered the northern arm back to Antioch where the Romans would regroup and where the Romans would regroup and where the Romans would regroup and reassess their reassess their reassess their position but this order only exacerbated position but this order only exacerbated position but this order only exacerbated the Roman problems as the March back the Roman problems as the March back the Roman problems as the March back through Armenia during the winter of 232

through Armenia during the winter of 232 through Armenia during the winter of 232 233 was even harder than the march in 233 was even harder than the march in 233 was even harder than the march in had been men died of disease and had been men died of disease and had been men died of disease and exposure and hunger and the army that exposure and hunger and the army that exposure and hunger and the army that finally arrived back in Antioch was a finally arrived back in Antioch was a finally arrived back in Antioch was a broken shell of what it had once been Alexander was spared the painful been Alexander was spared the painful process of trying to figure out how to process of trying to figure out how to process of trying to figure out how to salvage Victory from the humiliation of salvage Victory from the humiliation of salvage Victory from the humiliation of defeat when Scouts arrived with the defeat when Scouts arrived with the defeat when Scouts arrived with the unexpected news that artier had decided unexpected news that artier had decided unexpected news that artier had decided to disband his exhausted to disband his exhausted to disband his exhausted Army like the old armies of the Roman Army like the old armies of the Roman Army like the old armies of the Roman Republic the saned Army was an Republic the saned Army was an Republic the saned Army was an unprofessional force of temporary draf e unprofessional force of temporary draf e unprofessional force of temporary draf e artier running them this way and that artier running them this way and that artier running them this way and that over the course of the last few years over the course of the last few years over the course of the last few years had led to his own internal problems as had led to his own internal problems as had led to his own internal problems as men complained that their farms and men complained that their farms and men complained that their farms and businesses were falling into disrepair businesses were falling into disrepair businesses were falling into disrepair back back back home rather than risk a full Mutiny that home rather than risk a full Mutiny that home rather than risk a full Mutiny that would destroy his so recently won would destroy his so recently won would destroy his so recently won legitimacy artier released them all from legitimacy artier released them all from legitimacy artier released them all from service besides it wouldn't hurt to take service besides it wouldn't hurt to take service besides it wouldn't hurt to take a few years off to recuperate from this a few years off to recuperate from this a few years off to recuperate from this initial encounter with Rome arir was initial encounter with Rome arir was initial encounter with Rome arir was playing for the a long game and was playing for the a long game and was playing for the a long game and was simultaneously emboldened and chasen by simultaneously emboldened and chasen by simultaneously emboldened and chasen by this first this first this first war the next time he took on the Romans war the next time he took on the Romans war the next time he took on the Romans he would be stronger and smarter the sudden disbanding of the smarter the sudden disbanding of the cits was a godsend for Alexander and it cits was a godsend for Alexander and it cits was a godsend for Alexander and it allowed him to extract himself from the allowed him to extract himself from the allowed him to extract himself from the East with his dignity somewhat intact East with his dignity somewhat intact East with his dignity somewhat intact because at the very least he would be

because at the very least he would be because at the very least he would be able to argue that the Romans despite able to argue that the Romans despite able to argue that the Romans despite their setbacks had actually won the war their setbacks had actually won the war their setbacks had actually won the war but though this line worked on the but though this line worked on the but though this line worked on the Senate and the general population the Senate and the general population the Senate and the general population the Army wasn't having it for a Army wasn't having it for a Army wasn't having it for a second they knew what had really second they knew what had really second they knew what had really happened and they were really ticked off happened and they were really ticked off happened and they were really ticked off about it compounding their anger was a about it compounding their anger was a about it compounding their anger was a message from the West that Germanic message from the West that Germanic message from the West that Germanic tribes had taken the opportunity tribes had taken the opportunity tribes had taken the opportunity provided by Alexander's redeployment of provided by Alexander's redeployment of provided by Alexander's redeployment of the danu legions to cross the frontier the danu legions to cross the frontier the danu legions to cross the frontier and raid Roman and raid Roman and raid Roman settlements when the men of the danu settlements when the men of the danu settlements when the men of the danu legions found out what had happened they legions found out what had happened they legions found out what had happened they absolutely absolutely absolutely redlined they had been dragged from redlined they had been dragged from redlined they had been dragged from their homes out to this stupid desert their homes out to this stupid desert their homes out to this stupid desert ravaged by disease and hunger and thirst ravaged by disease and hunger and thirst ravaged by disease and hunger and thirst all in the name of fighting some war all in the name of fighting some war all in the name of fighting some war that they never even got into because that they never even got into because that they never even got into because Alexander had kept them sitting on the Alexander had kept them sitting on the Alexander had kept them sitting on the sidelines those who had gotten to fight sidelines those who had gotten to fight sidelines those who had gotten to fight had been pointlessly marched through had been pointlessly marched through had been pointlessly marched through Armenia and back until they were almost Armenia and back until they were almost Armenia and back until they were almost all dead and now on top of everything all dead and now on top of everything all dead and now on top of everything else the very fact of their absence had else the very fact of their absence had else the very fact of their absence had led their families back home to be led their families back home to be led their families back home to be slaughtered by marauding Germans slaughtered by marauding Germans slaughtered by marauding Germans pissed off does not even begin to pissed off does not even begin to pissed off does not even begin to describe the mood of the danu legions both the head off a full-blown legions both the head off a full-blown Insurrection and because it was the Insurrection and because it was the Insurrection and because it was the right thing to do Alexander quickly right thing to do Alexander quickly right thing to do Alexander quickly picked up the Army he had stationed in picked up the Army he had stationed in picked up the Army he had stationed in Antioch and leaving behind a few Antioch and leaving behind a few Antioch and leaving behind a few garrisons to keep an eye on the cids garrisons to keep an eye on the cids garrisons to keep an eye on the cids marched the rest West to drive back the marched the rest West to drive back the marched the rest West to drive back the Germans and exact a little Germans and exact a little Germans and exact a little Revenge as he marched through moesia and

Revenge as he marched through moesia and Revenge as he marched through moesia and panonia he redeposited some of the panonia he redeposited some of the panonia he redeposited some of the various danu troops back in their home various danu troops back in their home various danu troops back in their home camps and allowed them to clean up the camps and allowed them to clean up the camps and allowed them to clean up the mess that had been made in their mess that had been made in their mess that had been made in their absence the rest of the army kept absence the rest of the army kept absence the rest of the army kept marching with Alexander all the way to marching with Alexander all the way to marching with Alexander all the way to the upper rind where the German incur the upper rind where the German incur the upper rind where the German incur had been had been had been heaviest but once situated in Germany heaviest but once situated in Germany heaviest but once situated in Germany Alexander quickly reminded everyone that Alexander quickly reminded everyone that Alexander quickly reminded everyone that at the end of the day he really really at the end of the day he really really at the end of the day he really really did not want to lead an Army in did not want to lead an Army in did not want to lead an Army in battle after crossing the Great River on battle after crossing the Great River on battle after crossing the Great River on a pontoon bridge in a showy display of a pontoon bridge in a showy display of a pontoon bridge in a showy display of force the emperor sent word to the force the emperor sent word to the force the emperor sent word to the various German Chiefs offering terms of various German Chiefs offering terms of various German Chiefs offering terms of Peace which included payments of cash Peace which included payments of cash Peace which included payments of cash and other considerations in exchange for and other considerations in exchange for and other considerations in exchange for recession of recession of recession of hostilities this was the last hostilities this was the last hostilities this was the last straw the legions Alexander had brought straw the legions Alexander had brought straw the legions Alexander had brought with him from the East described to with him from the East described to with him from the East described to their Western comrades what had happened their Western comrades what had happened their Western comrades what had happened in Syria and they all agreed that in Syria and they all agreed that in Syria and they all agreed that history was repeating history was repeating history was repeating itself the Germans had plundered Roman itself the Germans had plundered Roman itself the Germans had plundered Roman territory and Alexander's response was territory and Alexander's response was territory and Alexander's response was to offer them more treasure to offer them more treasure to offer them more treasure this growing anger didn't even yet take this growing anger didn't even yet take this growing anger didn't even yet take into account the fact that with their into account the fact that with their into account the fact that with their reduced pay the men were clamoring for reduced pay the men were clamoring for reduced pay the men were clamoring for an invasion of Germania so they could do an invasion of Germania so they could do an invasion of Germania so they could do some plundering of their own over the some plundering of their own over the some plundering of their own over the winter of 234 235 the rank and file winter of 234 235 the rank and file winter of 234 235 the rank and file mumbled and grumbled to each other and mumbled and grumbled to each other and mumbled and grumbled to each other and the possibility of rebellion went from the possibility of rebellion went from the possibility of rebellion went from Secret desire to open Secret desire to open Secret desire to open conspiracy the only thing standing conspiracy the only thing standing conspiracy the only thing standing between Alexander and assassination was

between Alexander and assassination was between Alexander and assassination was that the men had no leader willing to that the men had no leader willing to that the men had no leader willing to had their had their had their Revolt in February 235 though that all Revolt in February 235 though that all Revolt in February 235 though that all changed and a general named maximinus changed and a general named maximinus changed and a general named maximinus THX was about to become the first THX was about to become the first THX was about to become the first Barbarian emperor of Rome the career of maximinus is Rome the career of maximinus is fascinating for all kinds of reasons not fascinating for all kinds of reasons not fascinating for all kinds of reasons not the least of which because he is the one the least of which because he is the one the least of which because he is the one character who really stood out to me the character who really stood out to me the character who really stood out to me the first time I read any part of the first time I read any part of the first time I read any part of the decline and fall back when I was a kid decline and fall back when I was a kid decline and fall back when I was a kid the rest of given was just indeci aable the rest of given was just indeci aable the rest of given was just indeci aable gobbly go that I couldn't make heads or gobbly go that I couldn't make heads or gobbly go that I couldn't make heads or tals out of but when he started talking tals out of but when he started talking tals out of but when he started talking about this gigantic Barbarian Who as a about this gigantic Barbarian Who as a about this gigantic Barbarian Who as a teenager easily bested the strongest men teenager easily bested the strongest men teenager easily bested the strongest men in the legions and then rose up the in the legions and then rose up the in the legions and then rose up the ranks to become emperor well that I ranks to become emperor well that I ranks to become emperor well that I understood what I didn't understand at understood what I didn't understand at understood what I didn't understand at the time was what a momentous event his the time was what a momentous event his the time was what a momentous event his claim to the throne represented in the claim to the throne represented in the claim to the throne represented in the broader sweep of Roman history maximinus thrax had been born in history maximinus thrax had been born in the early 170s ad and tradition holds the early 170s ad and tradition holds the early 170s ad and tradition holds that he was the son of a peasant family that he was the son of a peasant family that he was the son of a peasant family in thce hence the thrax which roughly in thce hence the thrax which roughly in thce hence the thrax which roughly makes his name maximinus the makes his name maximinus the makes his name maximinus the thian but it is also possible that he thian but it is also possible that he thian but it is also possible that he was born and raised in was born and raised in was born and raised in moesia as with the exact location of his moesia as with the exact location of his moesia as with the exact location of his birth his Heritage is similarly a matter birth his Heritage is similarly a matter birth his Heritage is similarly a matter of some of some of some debate the Historia Augusta now debate the Historia Augusta now debate the Historia Augusta now beginning to slip into unreliability beginning to slip into unreliability beginning to slip into unreliability claimed that he was born of a Gothic claimed that he was born of a Gothic claimed that he was born of a Gothic father and a sarmatian mother but most

father and a sarmatian mother but most father and a sarmatian mother but most other Roman writers describe him as other Roman writers describe him as other Roman writers describe him as being tho Roman that is a fully settled being tho Roman that is a fully settled being tho Roman that is a fully settled and romanized thian rather than a and romanized thian rather than a and romanized thian rather than a barbarian in the sense that his parents barbarian in the sense that his parents barbarian in the sense that his parents came from communities beyond the frontier he was first noticed during the frontier he was first noticed during the reign of Septimus searis when the reign of Septimus searis when the reign of Septimus searis when the emperor was returning from one of his emperor was returning from one of his emperor was returning from one of his Eastern campaigns probably the first one Eastern campaigns probably the first one Eastern campaigns probably the first one following his victory over Niger in following his victory over Niger in following his victory over Niger in 194 Legend has it that after halting the 194 Legend has it that after halting the 194 Legend has it that after halting the day's March the legions decided to day's March the legions decided to day's March the legions decided to engage in some friendly sport with the engage in some friendly sport with the engage in some friendly sport with the locals young maximinus showed up and locals young maximinus showed up and locals young maximinus showed up and proceeded to toss every Soldier the proceeded to toss every Soldier the proceeded to toss every Soldier the legion threw at him saris was impressed legion threw at him saris was impressed legion threw at him saris was impressed but he was even more impressed the next but he was even more impressed the next but he was even more impressed the next day when the young man jogged alongside day when the young man jogged alongside day when the young man jogged alongside his horse until the emperor agreed to his horse until the emperor agreed to his horse until the emperor agreed to let him join the legance and the emperor let him join the legance and the emperor let him join the legance and the emperor was even more more impressed when after was even more more impressed when after was even more more impressed when after jogging for God knows how many miles jogging for God knows how many miles jogging for God knows how many miles maximinus still bested the dozen or so maximinus still bested the dozen or so maximinus still bested the dozen or so soldiers soaris ordered him to wrest as soldiers soaris ordered him to wrest as soldiers soaris ordered him to wrest as a final a final a final test maximinus made an excellent Soldier test maximinus made an excellent Soldier test maximinus made an excellent Soldier he was after all a head taller than just he was after all a head taller than just he was after all a head taller than just about every other man in the Army he is about every other man in the Army he is about every other man in the Army he is described as being 8 Roman feet tall described as being 8 Roman feet tall described as being 8 Roman feet tall which is basically 8 modern feet tall which is basically 8 modern feet tall which is basically 8 modern feet tall and while I find that very hard to and while I find that very hard to and while I find that very hard to believe I'm willing to believe that he believe I'm willing to believe that he believe I'm willing to believe that he was significantly larger than his was significantly larger than his was significantly larger than his contemporaries not unlike Charlemagne contemporaries not unlike Charlemagne contemporaries not unlike Charlemagne who is also described as being a who is also described as being a who is also described as being a gigantic 8 ft tall gigantic 8 ft tall gigantic 8 ft tall but despite his Excellence as an

but despite his Excellence as an but despite his Excellence as an infantryman he was never slated for infantryman he was never slated for infantryman he was never slated for higher command and for a long time higher command and for a long time higher command and for a long time looked destined for the standard 25 looked destined for the standard 25 looked destined for the standard 25 years service and a gold years service and a gold years service and a gold watch but over time he did rise up the watch but over time he did rise up the watch but over time he did rise up the ranks and when Alexander Seas took over ranks and when Alexander Seas took over ranks and when Alexander Seas took over his governing Council recommended the his governing Council recommended the his governing Council recommended the thran for a slot running the training of thran for a slot running the training of thran for a slot running the training of new recruits in new recruits in new recruits in panonia in this post maximinus thrived panonia in this post maximinus thrived panonia in this post maximinus thrived he was Stern and demanding but he also he was Stern and demanding but he also he was Stern and demanding but he also reveled in leading by example whatever reveled in leading by example whatever reveled in leading by example whatever he expected his men to do he did himself he expected his men to do he did himself he expected his men to do he did himself first he never sat back and ordered his first he never sat back and ordered his first he never sat back and ordered his men around he always got down in the mud men around he always got down in the mud men around he always got down in the mud with them and shared in the hard dirty with them and shared in the hard dirty with them and shared in the hard dirty and exhausting work of learning how to and exhausting work of learning how to and exhausting work of learning how to be a Roman be a Roman be a Roman soldier this teaching style endeared him soldier this teaching style endeared him soldier this teaching style endeared him to each successive wave of recruits and to each successive wave of recruits and to each successive wave of recruits and pretty soon a majority of the men pretty soon a majority of the men pretty soon a majority of the men serving along the danu had been serving along the danu had been serving along the danu had been personally trained by Maxim thra and so personally trained by Maxim thra and so personally trained by Maxim thra and so a majority of of the men serving along a majority of of the men serving along a majority of of the men serving along the danu loved him to death and would the danu loved him to death and would the danu loved him to death and would have followed him to hell and back when the Germans began overrunning back when the Germans began overrunning the Border in 234 maximinus was put in the Border in 234 maximinus was put in the Border in 234 maximinus was put in charge of a legion and he was already charge of a legion and he was already charge of a legion and he was already working hard to counter the German working hard to counter the German working hard to counter the German Menace when Alexander arrived on the Menace when Alexander arrived on the Menace when Alexander arrived on the scene a few months scene a few months scene a few months later we don't really know what his later we don't really know what his later we don't really know what his level of involvement was with the level of involvement was with the level of involvement was with the growing Mutiny prior to February growing Mutiny prior to February growing Mutiny prior to February 235 but we can say for pretty certain 235 but we can say for pretty certain 235 but we can say for pretty certain that maximinus had no love for

that maximinus had no love for that maximinus had no love for Alexander though the young Emperor was Alexander though the young Emperor was Alexander though the young Emperor was the man who had finally given maximinus the man who had finally given maximinus the man who had finally given maximinus a real shot at Power the thran had long a real shot at Power the thran had long a real shot at Power the thran had long ago developed a hatred for the Roman ago developed a hatred for the Roman ago developed a hatred for the Roman aristocracy and soft refined Alexander aristocracy and soft refined Alexander aristocracy and soft refined Alexander was the Undisputed leader of the Roman was the Undisputed leader of the Roman was the Undisputed leader of the Roman aristocracy the rich old men of Rome had aristocracy the rich old men of Rome had aristocracy the rich old men of Rome had never let Maximus forget his humble never let Maximus forget his humble never let Maximus forget his humble Origins nor had their slaves failed to Origins nor had their slaves failed to Origins nor had their slaves failed to treat him as something beneath even treat him as something beneath even treat him as something beneath even their own own lowly their own own lowly their own own lowly station he found the capital to be station he found the capital to be station he found the capital to be nothing but a snake pit of backstabbing nothing but a snake pit of backstabbing nothing but a snake pit of backstabbing weaklings who pretended that they were weaklings who pretended that they were weaklings who pretended that they were better than everyone better than everyone better than everyone else by 235 Max amminus was dedicated to else by 235 Max amminus was dedicated to else by 235 Max amminus was dedicated to his soldiers and they were dedicated to his soldiers and they were dedicated to his soldiers and they were dedicated to him the rest of the Empire politicians him the rest of the Empire politicians him the rest of the Empire politicians civilians whatever were simply in the civilians whatever were simply in the civilians whatever were simply in the way so when Alexander once again tried way so when Alexander once again tried way so when Alexander once again tried to make peace before Rome had made its to make peace before Rome had made its to make peace before Rome had made its point this time offering money to boot point this time offering money to boot point this time offering money to boot it is easy to believe that maximinus did it is easy to believe that maximinus did it is easy to believe that maximinus did not exactly clamp down on seditious not exactly clamp down on seditious not exactly clamp down on seditious activity in his camp but still however he felt we still camp but still however he felt we still don't know whether his troops decision don't know whether his troops decision don't know whether his troops decision to declare him emperor in February 235 to declare him emperor in February 235 to declare him emperor in February 235 was orchestrated in advance or actually was orchestrated in advance or actually was orchestrated in advance or actually came as a came as a came as a surprise whatever the pre-arrangements surprise whatever the pre-arrangements surprise whatever the pre-arrangements had been when maximinus Rose to address had been when maximinus Rose to address had been when maximinus Rose to address his troops one wintry morning the men his troops one wintry morning the men his troops one wintry morning the men spontaneous held him Emperor and spontaneous held him Emperor and spontaneous held him Emperor and demanded that he agree to the

demanded that he agree to the demanded that he agree to the job after the requisite amount of job after the requisite amount of job after the requisite amount of protest maximinus reluctantly agreed and protest maximinus reluctantly agreed and protest maximinus reluctantly agreed and the Rebellion against Alexander Seas was the Rebellion against Alexander Seas was the Rebellion against Alexander Seas was on after doubling everyone's rations and on after doubling everyone's rations and on after doubling everyone's rations and promising a large donative if the promising a large donative if the promising a large donative if the rebellion was successful maximinus rebellion was successful maximinus rebellion was successful maximinus ordered his troops to begin marching on ordered his troops to begin marching on ordered his troops to begin marching on Alexander's Camp just a few miles down Alexander's Camp just a few miles down Alexander's Camp just a few miles down the the the road Messengers from maximus's army road Messengers from maximus's army road Messengers from maximus's army arrived in advance of the main force and arrived in advance of the main force and arrived in advance of the main force and after announcing the Rebellion attempted after announcing the Rebellion attempted after announcing the Rebellion attempted to convince Alexander's soldiers to join to convince Alexander's soldiers to join to convince Alexander's soldiers to join up there are a few versions of what up there are a few versions of what up there are a few versions of what happened next with one stating that happened next with one stating that happened next with one stating that Alexander spoke to his men promised them Alexander spoke to his men promised them Alexander spoke to his men promised them all kinds of bonuses that they stuck all kinds of bonuses that they stuck all kinds of bonuses that they stuck with him and actually had gotten them with him and actually had gotten them with him and actually had gotten them mustered in the field before any mustered in the field before any mustered in the field before any defections took place well another defections took place well another defections took place well another version has the emperor left totally in version has the emperor left totally in version has the emperor left totally in the dark about everything and not the dark about everything and not the dark about everything and not learning of the plot until maximus's learning of the plot until maximus's learning of the plot until maximus's executioners pushed their way into his executioners pushed their way into his executioners pushed their way into his tent whichever way it went as soon as tent whichever way it went as soon as tent whichever way it went as soon as maximinus arrived Alexander's soldiers maximinus arrived Alexander's soldiers maximinus arrived Alexander's soldiers defected and mass and swore their defected and mass and swore their defected and mass and swore their loyalty to the loyalty to the loyalty to the thian not one to beat around the bush thian not one to beat around the bush thian not one to beat around the bush maximinus ordered a Tribune to lead a maximinus ordered a Tribune to lead a maximinus ordered a Tribune to lead a few centurions into Alexander's Camp to few centurions into Alexander's Camp to few centurions into Alexander's Camp to find and kill the find and kill the find and kill the emperor the Assassins found the young emperor the Assassins found the young emperor the Assassins found the young emperor in his tent with his mother and emperor in his tent with his mother and emperor in his tent with his mother and a few loyal advisers by his side and a few loyal advisers by his side and a few loyal advisers by his side and after very little struggle the seans all after very little struggle the seans all after very little struggle the seans all lay bloody on the lay bloody on the lay bloody on the floor Alexander was 26 years old and had

floor Alexander was 26 years old and had floor Alexander was 26 years old and had done his very best over the 13 years he done his very best over the 13 years he done his very best over the 13 years he ruled the Empire the death of Alexander and the Empire the death of Alexander and the rise of maximinus represented a major rise of maximinus represented a major rise of maximinus represented a major turning point for the turning point for the turning point for the Empire over the last 137 years beginning Empire over the last 137 years beginning Empire over the last 137 years beginning with trun and ending with Alexander the with trun and ending with Alexander the with trun and ending with Alexander the average reign of an emperor was just average reign of an emperor was just average reign of an emperor was just over 12 years and that in includes the over 12 years and that in includes the over 12 years and that in includes the short Reigns of perx and didius short Reigns of perx and didius short Reigns of perx and didius julianis for the next 50 years beginning julianis for the next 50 years beginning julianis for the next 50 years beginning with the elevation of maximinus and with the elevation of maximinus and with the elevation of maximinus and ending with the elevation of Diocesan ending with the elevation of Diocesan ending with the elevation of Diocesan that average will plunge to something that average will plunge to something that average will plunge to something like one Emperor for every 2 years like one Emperor for every 2 years like one Emperor for every 2 years depending on how you do the depending on how you do the depending on how you do the math and that doesn't include the fact math and that doesn't include the fact math and that doesn't include the fact that for a while there the empire was that for a while there the empire was that for a while there the empire was split in three as major Breakaway split in three as major Breakaway split in three as major Breakaway Kingdoms in the east and west threatened Kingdoms in the east and west threatened Kingdoms in the east and west threatened to destroy the unity of the Roman Empire to destroy the unity of the Roman Empire to destroy the unity of the Roman Empire forever forever forever no one could have guessed it at the time no one could have guessed it at the time no one could have guessed it at the time but the assassination of Alexander Seas but the assassination of Alexander Seas but the assassination of Alexander Seas marked the beginning of a period where marked the beginning of a period where marked the beginning of a period where the very survival of Rome was very much the very survival of Rome was very much the very survival of Rome was very much in in in doubt foreign Invasion domestic Strife doubt foreign Invasion domestic Strife doubt foreign Invasion domestic Strife plague and famine would all conspire to plague and famine would all conspire to plague and famine would all conspire to bring the Roman Empire to the brink of bring the Roman Empire to the brink of bring the Roman Empire to the brink of Extinction a possibility they had not Extinction a possibility they had not Extinction a possibility they had not faced since Hannibal had come marching faced since Hannibal had come marching faced since Hannibal had come marching out of the Alps four centuries earlier finally remember when I said earlier finally remember when I said last last week that I would be making an last last week that I would be making an last last week that I would be making an official announcement about the history official announcement about the history official announcement about the history of Rome tour pretty soon well here it is

of Rome tour pretty soon well here it is of Rome tour pretty soon well here it is the history of Rome tour is set for May the history of Rome tour is set for May the history of Rome tour is set for May 2011 and I couldn't be more 2011 and I couldn't be more 2011 and I couldn't be more excited we have designed a 10-day trip excited we have designed a 10-day trip excited we have designed a 10-day trip that takes us from Rome to Istanbul and that takes us from Rome to Istanbul and that takes us from Rome to Istanbul and hits as many highlights as we could hits as many highlights as we could hits as many highlights as we could possibly cram in along the way we'll possibly cram in along the way we'll possibly cram in along the way we'll spend a few days in and around Rome spend a few days in and around Rome spend a few days in and around Rome before snaking down through capoa to before snaking down through capoa to before snaking down through capoa to Pompei to tantum and brindy and then Pompei to tantum and brindy and then Pompei to tantum and brindy and then over to the City the Romans called over to the City the Romans called over to the City the Romans called Constantinople the itinerary is too Constantinople the itinerary is too Constantinople the itinerary is too packed for me to just rattle off packed for me to just rattle off packed for me to just rattle off everything right now so for the full everything right now so for the full everything right now so for the full details I'll direct you to the website details I'll direct you to the website details I'll direct you to the website that we've set up historyof Rome that we've set up historyof Rome that we've set up historyof Rome tour.com that again historyof ROM tour.com that again historyof ROM tour.com that again historyof ROM tour.com we have guides and lecturers tour.com we have guides and lecturers tour.com we have guides and lecturers and experts lined up to walk us through and experts lined up to walk us through and experts lined up to walk us through every one of our stops answer our every one of our stops answer our every one of our stops answer our questions and generally make sure that questions and generally make sure that questions and generally make sure that we don't miss a single thing while we're we don't miss a single thing while we're we don't miss a single thing while we're there there there the package also includes hotels the package also includes hotels the package also includes hotels Transportation breakfast some group Transportation breakfast some group Transportation breakfast some group dinners admission to all the museums and dinners admission to all the museums and dinners admission to all the museums and historical sites and even the historical sites and even the historical sites and even the transatlantic airfare if you live in the transatlantic airfare if you live in the transatlantic airfare if you live in the US and need that sort of thing and of US and need that sort of thing and of US and need that sort of thing and of course Mr and Mrs the history of Rome course Mr and Mrs the history of Rome course Mr and Mrs the history of Rome will both be along for the will both be along for the will both be along for the ride Space is limited and we're going to ride Space is limited and we're going to ride Space is limited and we're going to have to run this on a first come first have to run this on a first come first have to run this on a first come first serve basis but I will tell you that serve basis but I will tell you that serve basis but I will tell you that we've discussed what happens if more we've discussed what happens if more we've discussed what happens if more people want to go on the trip than we people want to go on the trip than we people want to go on the trip than we have space for and after agreeing that have space for and after agreeing that have space for and after agreeing that that would be a great problem to have that would be a great problem to have that would be a great problem to have the answer came back a resounding we'll

the answer came back a resounding we'll the answer came back a resounding we'll do multiple do multiple do multiple trips so all the info is at historyof trips so all the info is at historyof trips so all the info is at historyof ROM tour.com the itinerary the costs and ROM tour.com the itinerary the costs and ROM tour.com the itinerary the costs and an FAQ page that will start populating an FAQ page that will start populating an FAQ page that will start populating as soon as we figure out what questions as soon as we figure out what questions as soon as we figure out what questions people are frequently asking I'll also people are frequently asking I'll also people are frequently asking I'll also post a permanent Link at the historyof post a permanent Link at the historyof post a permanent Link at the historyof rome. typepad.com rome. typepad.com rome. typepad.com one one other thing I'll mention is that one one other thing I'll mention is that one one other thing I'll mention is that I'm going to be plugging an announcement I'm going to be plugging an announcement I'm going to be plugging an announcement of the trip onto the back episodes so of the trip onto the back episodes so of the trip onto the back episodes so that people who aren't all the way that people who aren't all the way that people who aren't all the way caught up will know what's going on this caught up will know what's going on this caught up will know what's going on this shouldn't alter any episodes that you've shouldn't alter any episodes that you've shouldn't alter any episodes that you've already downloaded but I just wanted you already downloaded but I just wanted you already downloaded but I just wanted you all to know what I'm up to the history all to know what I'm up to the history all to know what I'm up to the history of Rome tour May of Rome tour May of Rome tour May 2011 sign up right now 2011 sign up right now 2011 sign up right now [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome EP episode 107 the year of the six Rome EP episode 107 the year of the six Rome EP episode 107 the year of the six [Music] [Music] [Music] Emperors as I've mentioned a few times Emperors as I've mentioned a few times Emperors as I've mentioned a few times now the death of Alexander Seas marked

now the death of Alexander Seas marked now the death of Alexander Seas marked the end not just of the severan dynasty the end not just of the severan dynasty the end not just of the severan dynasty but also a whole Epoch of Roman but also a whole Epoch of Roman but also a whole Epoch of Roman history the political economic and history the political economic and history the political economic and social bonds of the Empire had been social bonds of the Empire had been social bonds of the Empire had been degrading for some time and when degrading for some time and when degrading for some time and when Alexander died they seemed to snap Alexander died they seemed to snap Alexander died they seemed to snap completely for the next 50 years the completely for the next 50 years the completely for the next 50 years the Loyalty of the armies turn on a dime Loyalty of the armies turn on a dime Loyalty of the armies turn on a dime powerful Imperial usurpers would pop up powerful Imperial usurpers would pop up powerful Imperial usurpers would pop up with alarming frequency Barbarian hordes with alarming frequency Barbarian hordes with alarming frequency Barbarian hordes would marod across the provinces and the would marod across the provinces and the would marod across the provinces and the civilian population would be trapped in civilian population would be trapped in civilian population would be trapped in the the the middle those not ravaged by War would be middle those not ravaged by War would be middle those not ravaged by War would be ravaged by the disease the famine and ravaged by the disease the famine and ravaged by the disease the famine and the economic depression that would the economic depression that would the economic depression that would accompany the crisis years of 235 to 284 accompany the crisis years of 235 to 284 accompany the crisis years of 235 to 284 ad during this period everything that ad during this period everything that ad during this period everything that had represented the power The Prestige had represented the power The Prestige had represented the power The Prestige the very legitimacy of the Roman Empire the very legitimacy of the Roman Empire the very legitimacy of the Roman Empire was called into was called into was called into question no precedents were too ancient question no precedents were too ancient question no precedents were too ancient to violate no assumptions were too deep to violate no assumptions were too deep to violate no assumptions were too deep to challenge and no nightmares were too to challenge and no nightmares were too to challenge and no nightmares were too scary to come scary to come scary to come true to put it bluntly Rome probably true to put it bluntly Rome probably true to put it bluntly Rome probably should have fallen right then we should should have fallen right then we should should have fallen right then we should be talking about how the assassination be talking about how the assassination be talking about how the assassination of Alexander Seas marked the end of the of Alexander Seas marked the end of the of Alexander Seas marked the end of the Roman Empire that the weight of internal Roman Empire that the weight of internal Roman Empire that the weight of internal division external Invasion and economic division external Invasion and economic division external Invasion and economic catastrophe was simply too much to bear catastrophe was simply too much to bear catastrophe was simply too much to bear there would have been no shame in it the there would have been no shame in it the there would have been no shame in it the Empire had dominated the Mediterranean Empire had dominated the Mediterranean Empire had dominated the Mediterranean world for the last 400 years at least world for the last 400 years at least world for the last 400 years at least was this not a fair time to finally slip

was this not a fair time to finally slip was this not a fair time to finally slip away but that's not what happened away but that's not what happened away but that's not what happened instead of marking the end the crisis of instead of marking the end the crisis of instead of marking the end the crisis of the 3r century simply marked a change the 3r century simply marked a change the 3r century simply marked a change like the Second Punic War or the like the Second Punic War or the like the Second Punic War or the collapse of the Republic before collapse of the Republic before collapse of the Republic before it just as with those periods the Rome it just as with those periods the Rome it just as with those periods the Rome that came out of the crisis was that came out of the crisis was that came out of the crisis was different than the Rome that had gone in different than the Rome that had gone in different than the Rome that had gone in but it was still but it was still but it was still Rome and just as with those earlier Rome and just as with those earlier Rome and just as with those earlier upheavals it was hard for Romans at the upheavals it was hard for Romans at the upheavals it was hard for Romans at the time to recognize what a whirlwind they time to recognize what a whirlwind they time to recognize what a whirlwind they had had had entered when you heard that sigam was entered when you heard that sigam was entered when you heard that sigam was under siege or that an alliance had been under siege or that an alliance had been under siege or that an alliance had been formed between crus pompy and Caesar you formed between crus pompy and Caesar you formed between crus pompy and Caesar you didn't immediately think well it looks didn't immediately think well it looks didn't immediately think well it looks like we're entering a tumultuous period like we're entering a tumultuous period like we're entering a tumultuous period of political economic and social of political economic and social of political economic and social Reformation no you probably thought well Reformation no you probably thought well Reformation no you probably thought well that's kind of an interesting that's kind of an interesting that's kind of an interesting development and went about about your development and went about about your development and went about about your day this too was true of the Romans in day this too was true of the Romans in day this too was true of the Romans in 235 when they heard that maximinus thra 235 when they heard that maximinus thra 235 when they heard that maximinus thra had overthrown had overthrown had overthrown Alexander it was an interesting Alexander it was an interesting Alexander it was an interesting development and probably not a good one development and probably not a good one development and probably not a good one but things will probably go on like but things will probably go on like but things will probably go on like normal right wrong setting the precedent for the next wrong setting the precedent for the next 50 years of military turmoil the very 50 years of military turmoil the very 50 years of military turmoil the very first thing maximinus did after becoming first thing maximinus did after becoming first thing maximinus did after becoming Emperor was double the pay of his Emperor was double the pay of his Emperor was double the pay of his soldiers soldiers soldiers it was an expedient design to ensure it was an expedient design to ensure it was an expedient design to ensure their loyalty but it was a decision that their loyalty but it was a decision that their loyalty but it was a decision that would come back to haunt maximinus as he would come back to haunt maximinus as he would come back to haunt maximinus as he was forced to send out a network of was forced to send out a network of was forced to send out a network of Agents across the Empire to drum up the Agents across the Empire to drum up the Agents across the Empire to drum up the necessary Revenue so he could afford the

necessary Revenue so he could afford the necessary Revenue so he could afford the raise and if there is one thing that raise and if there is one thing that raise and if there is one thing that will get you hated very quickly it's will get you hated very quickly it's will get you hated very quickly it's sending violent Tax Collectors into sending violent Tax Collectors into sending violent Tax Collectors into people's homes to strip out anything people's homes to strip out anything people's homes to strip out anything that looks that looks that looks shiny the second thing he did was shiny the second thing he did was shiny the second thing he did was immediately relaunch the campaign immediately relaunch the campaign immediately relaunch the campaign against the Germans that Alexander had against the Germans that Alexander had against the Germans that Alexander had been so reluctant to get been so reluctant to get been so reluctant to get going it goes without saying then that going it goes without saying then that going it goes without saying then that the very first people negatively the very first people negatively the very first people negatively impacted by the elevation of maximinus impacted by the elevation of maximinus impacted by the elevation of maximinus were the Germans in the spring of 235 were the Germans in the spring of 235 were the Germans in the spring of 235 the provinces had not yet been taxed to the provinces had not yet been taxed to the provinces had not yet been taxed to death and the senate had not yet had death and the senate had not yet had death and the senate had not yet had their ranks thin by maximus's dangerous their ranks thin by maximus's dangerous their ranks thin by maximus's dangerous paranoia so the fact that Rome had a new paranoia so the fact that Rome had a new paranoia so the fact that Rome had a new emperor was for most people not yet a emperor was for most people not yet a emperor was for most people not yet a life altering event but the Germans well life altering event but the Germans well life altering event but the Germans well they had gone to bed for the winter they had gone to bed for the winter they had gone to bed for the winter believing that they were about to be believing that they were about to be believing that they were about to be paid a great deal of money so that the paid a great deal of money so that the paid a great deal of money so that the boy Emperor Alexander would not have to boy Emperor Alexander would not have to boy Emperor Alexander would not have to fight them and when they woke up in the fight them and when they woke up in the fight them and when they woke up in the spring they found out that a giant spring they found out that a giant spring they found out that a giant thracian General had taken control of thracian General had taken control of thracian General had taken control of the legions and rather than offering the legions and rather than offering the legions and rather than offering them immense wealth he was offering them them immense wealth he was offering them them immense wealth he was offering them only Grim only Grim only Grim death that had to have been a bit jarring maximinus led the legions across jarring maximinus led the legions across the rine on a punitive campaign that the rine on a punitive campaign that the rine on a punitive campaign that served two useful purposes first it served two useful purposes first it served two useful purposes first it would remind the that there were still would remind the that there were still would remind the that there were still consequences for raiding Roman territory consequences for raiding Roman territory consequences for raiding Roman territory and second it would provide the and second it would provide the and second it would provide the plundering opportunity his men had been plundering opportunity his men had been plundering opportunity his men had been clamoring clamoring clamoring for maximinus knew that the Senate for maximinus knew that the Senate for maximinus knew that the Senate wasn't going to be happy about his coup

wasn't going to be happy about his coup wasn't going to be happy about his coup and that was all right with him as long and that was all right with him as long and that was all right with him as long as the armies of Rome were with as the armies of Rome were with as the armies of Rome were with him giving the men a chance to work out him giving the men a chance to work out him giving the men a chance to work out some of their aggressive energy in the some of their aggressive energy in the some of their aggressive energy in the pursuit of treasure would bind them even pursuit of treasure would bind them even pursuit of treasure would bind them even closer to maximinus than they had been closer to maximinus than they had been closer to maximinus than they had been before but though the rank and were with before but though the rank and were with before but though the rank and were with him to a man maximinus still had to him to a man maximinus still had to him to a man maximinus still had to worry about his officer core many of worry about his officer core many of worry about his officer core many of whom were either Alexander loyalists or whom were either Alexander loyalists or whom were either Alexander loyalists or aristocratic malc aristocratic malc aristocratic malc contents and maximinus was right about contents and maximinus was right about contents and maximinus was right about one thing the Senate really didn't one thing the Senate really didn't one thing the Senate really didn't approve of the Ascension that they had approve of the Ascension that they had approve of the Ascension that they had just been forced to just been forced to just been forced to approve powerless to deny maximinus the approve powerless to deny maximinus the approve powerless to deny maximinus the prize he had seized they dutifully prize he had seized they dutifully prize he had seized they dutifully ratified his election but I think it's ratified his election but I think it's ratified his election but I think it's fair to say that no one in the Senate fair to say that no one in the Senate fair to say that no one in the Senate even the enemies of the s an wanted to even the enemies of the s an wanted to even the enemies of the s an wanted to see this hulking brute of a peasant see this hulking brute of a peasant see this hulking brute of a peasant Emperor lording over their Noble Emperor lording over their Noble Emperor lording over their Noble Empire so over the course of the Empire so over the course of the Empire so over the course of the campaign in Germany maximinus had to campaign in Germany maximinus had to campaign in Germany maximinus had to thwart at least two murderous thwart at least two murderous thwart at least two murderous conspiracies one of which was organized conspiracies one of which was organized conspiracies one of which was organized by elements in the Senate itself naturally enough these attempts itself naturally enough these attempts made maximinus a bit paranoid and made maximinus a bit paranoid and made maximinus a bit paranoid and coupled with his long simmering hatred coupled with his long simmering hatred coupled with his long simmering hatred for the upper classes he found himself for the upper classes he found himself for the upper classes he found himself quickly on the road to purge City quickly on the road to purge City quickly on the road to purge City from his camps in Germany he started from his camps in Germany he started from his camps in Germany he started marking down suspects senators equites marking down suspects senators equites marking down suspects senators equites and Military Officers who he felt rather and Military Officers who he felt rather and Military Officers who he felt rather too sever in not to attempt some kind of too sever in not to attempt some kind of too sever in not to attempt some kind of Revenge for his murder of Alexander or Revenge for his murder of Alexander or Revenge for his murder of Alexander or too senatorial not to attempt to put the

too senatorial not to attempt to put the too senatorial not to attempt to put the Barbarian Emperor back in his place and Barbarian Emperor back in his place and Barbarian Emperor back in his place and one by one they were fired exiled or one by one they were fired exiled or one by one they were fired exiled or killed whatever their ultimate fate in killed whatever their ultimate fate in killed whatever their ultimate fate in all cases they were reduced to poverty all cases they were reduced to poverty all cases they were reduced to poverty and their wealth transferred into the and their wealth transferred into the and their wealth transferred into the open purses of his open purses of his open purses of his soldiers interestingly one of the soldiers interestingly one of the soldiers interestingly one of the provincial Governors who maximinus provincial Governors who maximinus provincial Governors who maximinus passed over as being neither too seign passed over as being neither too seign passed over as being neither too seign nor too senatorial was The Old Pro nor too senatorial was The Old Pro nor too senatorial was The Old Pro Consul of Africa Marcus Antonius Consul of Africa Marcus Antonius Consul of Africa Marcus Antonius gordanus s pron gordanus s pron gordanus s pron Onis interesting because in a few short Onis interesting because in a few short Onis interesting because in a few short years the man we call gordian the first years the man we call gordian the first years the man we call gordian the first would find himself leading the Rebellion would find himself leading the Rebellion would find himself leading the Rebellion that would eventually topple maximus's that would eventually topple maximus's that would eventually topple maximus's regime but the drawing up a prescription list but the drawing up a prescription list was only a hobby for maximinus and it was only a hobby for maximinus and it was only a hobby for maximinus and it was always done after he was done doing was always done after he was done doing was always done after he was done doing what he did best leading soldiers in what he did best leading soldiers in what he did best leading soldiers in battle he spent all of 235 in the field battle he spent all of 235 in the field battle he spent all of 235 in the field against the Germans and eventually won a against the Germans and eventually won a against the Germans and eventually won a hotly contested battle in the Meer of a hotly contested battle in the Meer of a hotly contested battle in the Meer of a swamp that brought the German resistance swamp that brought the German resistance swamp that brought the German resistance to its to its to its knees it was enough of a victory that knees it was enough of a victory that knees it was enough of a victory that Maximus dawned the lofty title Maximus dawned the lofty title Maximus dawned the lofty title germanicus Maximus and to help celebrate germanicus Maximus and to help celebrate germanicus Maximus and to help celebrate his Triumph he gave his young son the his Triumph he gave his young son the his Triumph he gave his young son the title Caesar and named him heir to the title Caesar and named him heir to the title Caesar and named him heir to the Empire with campaign season coming to an Empire with campaign season coming to an Empire with campaign season coming to an end maximinus headed back to what had end maximinus headed back to what had end maximinus headed back to what had become his adopted home province of become his adopted home province of become his adopted home province of panonia and set up winter panonia and set up winter panonia and set up winter quarters in his three years as Emperor

quarters in his three years as Emperor quarters in his three years as Emperor maximinus never would set foot in Rome maximinus never would set foot in Rome maximinus never would set foot in Rome preferring instead to rule from the preferring instead to rule from the preferring instead to rule from the Frontiers and unlike mcris who Frontiers and unlike mcris who Frontiers and unlike mcris who technically holds the distinction of technically holds the distinction of technically holds the distinction of being the first emperor never to appear being the first emperor never to appear being the first emperor never to appear in Rome maximinus did not snub the in Rome maximinus did not snub the in Rome maximinus did not snub the Capital because he was unavoidably Capital because he was unavoidably Capital because he was unavoidably detained but rather because he openly detained but rather because he openly detained but rather because he openly disdained the capital and everything it disdained the capital and everything it disdained the capital and everything it stood stood stood for the next few years pass with some for the next few years pass with some for the next few years pass with some obscurity in the historical record we obscurity in the historical record we obscurity in the historical record we know that Maxim minia stayed on the know that Maxim minia stayed on the know that Maxim minia stayed on the Frontiers focused on defending the Frontiers focused on defending the Frontiers focused on defending the Empire's northern border while directing Empire's northern border while directing Empire's northern border while directing an extensive network of tax agents to an extensive network of tax agents to an extensive network of tax agents to Canvas the provinces and squeeze As Much Canvas the provinces and squeeze As Much Canvas the provinces and squeeze As Much from the citizens of the Empire as they from the citizens of the Empire as they from the citizens of the Empire as they possibly could by hook crook or possibly could by hook crook or possibly could by hook crook or extortion extortion extortion maximinus took the money they scrunched maximinus took the money they scrunched maximinus took the money they scrunched up and delivered it to his grateful up and delivered it to his grateful up and delivered it to his grateful troops who were glad to see that they troops who were glad to see that they troops who were glad to see that they once again had an Emperor who had his once again had an Emperor who had his once again had an Emperor who had his priority straight enrich the soldiers priority straight enrich the soldiers priority straight enrich the soldiers and Scorn all other and Scorn all other and Scorn all other men in Rome itself and really in all the men in Rome itself and really in all the men in Rome itself and really in all the major Urban centers of power the leading major Urban centers of power the leading major Urban centers of power the leading men of the empire were watched like men of the empire were watched like men of the empire were watched like Hawks for any sign of seditious activity Hawks for any sign of seditious activity Hawks for any sign of seditious activity if that sign appeared well that was when if that sign appeared well that was when if that sign appeared well that was when people disappeared people disappeared people disappeared needless to say maximini th was not the needless to say maximini th was not the needless to say maximini th was not the most popular emperor of all time the most popular emperor of all time the most popular emperor of all time the general population hated him for his general population hated him for his general population hated him for his oppressive tax policies and the elites oppressive tax policies and the elites oppressive tax policies and the elites hated him for constantly picking off hated him for constantly picking off hated him for constantly picking off their friends and their friends and their friends and colleagues all that this growing Powder colleagues all that this growing Powder colleagues all that this growing Powder Keg needed was a spark and the whole

Keg needed was a spark and the whole Keg needed was a spark and the whole thing would blow up in maximus's face in March of 238 the Powder Keg was face in March of 238 the Powder Keg was finally lit in the province of finally lit in the province of finally lit in the province of Africa the the local population rich Africa the the local population rich Africa the the local population rich land owners middleclass businessmen and land owners middleclass businessmen and land owners middleclass businessmen and poor laborers alike had all finally had poor laborers alike had all finally had poor laborers alike had all finally had enough of maximus's enough of maximus's enough of maximus's extortion when they weren't being extortion when they weren't being extortion when they weren't being bullied and threatened by Imperial Tax bullied and threatened by Imperial Tax bullied and threatened by Imperial Tax Collectors they were forced to endure Collectors they were forced to endure Collectors they were forced to endure the summary judgments of a court system the summary judgments of a court system the summary judgments of a court system that had been thoroughly that had been thoroughly that had been thoroughly corrupted basically the naked theft corrupted basically the naked theft corrupted basically the naked theft perpetrated by imperial agents was being perpetrated by imperial agents was being perpetrated by imperial agents was being declared legal and proper by judges paid declared legal and proper by judges paid declared legal and proper by judges paid to always decide in favor of the regime to always decide in favor of the regime to always decide in favor of the regime after a particularly ging judgment was after a particularly ging judgment was after a particularly ging judgment was issued a few victimized land owners issued a few victimized land owners issued a few victimized land owners decided to pursue their grievances by decided to pursue their grievances by decided to pursue their grievances by other means they returned to their other means they returned to their other means they returned to their Estates armed their workers and came Estates armed their workers and came Estates armed their workers and came marching back to the city where they marching back to the city where they marching back to the city where they located and killed the official who had located and killed the official who had located and killed the official who had ruled against ruled against ruled against them the uprising was cheered by them the uprising was cheered by them the uprising was cheered by everyone not in Imperial employ and everyone not in Imperial employ and everyone not in Imperial employ and pretty soon the whole Province was in pretty soon the whole Province was in pretty soon the whole Province was in Revolt meanwhile sitting in the Revolt meanwhile sitting in the Revolt meanwhile sitting in the provincial capital of carth provincial capital of carth provincial capital of carth probably enjoying a nice cup of tea and probably enjoying a nice cup of tea and probably enjoying a nice cup of tea and wondering what book he was going to read wondering what book he was going to read wondering what book he was going to read next was gordian the the 79-year-old next was gordian the the 79-year-old next was gordian the the 79-year-old proc Consul of Africa he had been passed proc Consul of Africa he had been passed proc Consul of Africa he had been passed over by maximus's paranoid eye for good over by maximus's paranoid eye for good over by maximus's paranoid eye for good reason and was as unlikely an imperial reason and was as unlikely an imperial reason and was as unlikely an imperial usurper as the Romans ever

produced he had been born way back in produced he had been born way back in 159 to an equestrian family and had been 159 to an equestrian family and had been 159 to an equestrian family and had been made a senator during the reign of made a senator during the reign of made a senator during the reign of Septimus Septimus Septimus seis he was for his times a unique seis he was for his times a unique seis he was for his times a unique figure disinterested in war and politics figure disinterested in war and politics figure disinterested in war and politics he devoted much of his time to he devoted much of his time to he devoted much of his time to intellectual Pursuits and had written intellectual Pursuits and had written intellectual Pursuits and had written volumes on every subject Under the volumes on every subject Under the volumes on every subject Under the Sun his lone public achievement of note Sun his lone public achievement of note Sun his lone public achievement of note came when he served as edile and he came when he served as edile and he came when he served as edile and he earned the love of the people for earned the love of the people for earned the love of the people for throwing a particularly awesome series throwing a particularly awesome series throwing a particularly awesome series of of of games though he had over the course of games though he had over the course of games though he had over the course of his career commanded a Legion now and his career commanded a Legion now and his career commanded a Legion now and then and had even served as governor of then and had even served as governor of then and had even served as governor of Britannia gordian was a bookworm and a Britannia gordian was a bookworm and a Britannia gordian was a bookworm and a scholar scholar scholar not a soldier or a not a soldier or a not a soldier or a politician which is why when the people politician which is why when the people politician which is why when the people of Africa showed up at his doorstep of Africa showed up at his doorstep of Africa showed up at his doorstep demanding that he become emperor and demanding that he become emperor and demanding that he become emperor and lead them all to Victory against the lead them all to Victory against the lead them all to Victory against the hated maximinus he was likely wondering hated maximinus he was likely wondering hated maximinus he was likely wondering when he was going to wake up from this when he was going to wake up from this when he was going to wake up from this strange strange strange dream but it was no dream and despite dream but it was no dream and despite dream but it was no dream and despite his protests that among other things he his protests that among other things he his protests that among other things he was way too old to be leading a was way too old to be leading a was way too old to be leading a rebellion the people persisted and began rebellion the people persisted and began rebellion the people persisted and began to make menacing noises that he better to make menacing noises that he better to make menacing noises that he better lead their Rebellion or else lead their Rebellion or else lead their Rebellion or else so gordian accepted on the condition so gordian accepted on the condition so gordian accepted on the condition that they also Elevate his son who for that they also Elevate his son who for that they also Elevate his son who for convenience will call gordian the convenience will call gordian the convenience will call gordian the younger to be his younger to be his younger to be his co-emperor whatever vigorous action this co-emperor whatever vigorous action this co-emperor whatever vigorous action this rebellion was going to require would be rebellion was going to require would be rebellion was going to require would be much better handled by a 46-year-old much better handled by a 46-year-old much better handled by a 46-year-old gordian than a 79-year-old gordian than a 79-year-old gordian than a 79-year-old gordian so on March 22nd 238 ad the

gordian so on March 22nd 238 ad the gordian so on March 22nd 238 ad the second and third Emperors of the year of second and third Emperors of the year of second and third Emperors of the year of the six Emperors were proclaimed and the the six Emperors were proclaimed and the the six Emperors were proclaimed and the Revolution was on about a week and a half later a word about a week and a half later a word reached Rome of what had happened in reached Rome of what had happened in reached Rome of what had happened in Africa the Senators quietly conferred Africa the Senators quietly conferred Africa the Senators quietly conferred with one another about the news and with one another about the news and with one another about the news and agreed to meet in a closed session at agreed to meet in a closed session at agreed to meet in a closed session at the Temple of casor to decide what to do the Temple of casor to decide what to do the Temple of casor to decide what to do about this most interesting about this most interesting about this most interesting development themselves as fed up as the development themselves as fed up as the development themselves as fed up as the people of Africa they decided after an people of Africa they decided after an people of Africa they decided after an intense meeting to ratify the elevation intense meeting to ratify the elevation intense meeting to ratify the elevation of the two of the two of the two gordian they emerged from the temple and gordian they emerged from the temple and gordian they emerged from the temple and announced to a cheering crowd that the announced to a cheering crowd that the announced to a cheering crowd that the Senate of Rome now officially recognized Senate of Rome now officially recognized Senate of Rome now officially recognized the two Gardians as the lawful the two Gardians as the lawful the two Gardians as the lawful sovereigns of the Empire and that both sovereigns of the Empire and that both sovereigns of the Empire and that both were to henceforth enjoy the title Augustus understanding the effect their Augustus understanding the effect their declaration would have on maximinus who declaration would have on maximinus who declaration would have on maximinus who they also declared was now a Public they also declared was now a Public they also declared was now a Public Enemy the Senate also announced that an Enemy the Senate also announced that an Enemy the Senate also announced that an executive Council of 20 eminent Senators executive Council of 20 eminent Senators executive Council of 20 eminent Senators had been created to prepare for the had been created to prepare for the had been created to prepare for the defense of Italy which was sure to be defense of Italy which was sure to be defense of Italy which was sure to be invaded the minute maximinus learned invaded the minute maximinus learned invaded the minute maximinus learned what they had what they had what they had done further committing themselves to done further committing themselves to done further committing themselves to the Rebellion the Senate dispatched the Rebellion the Senate dispatched the Rebellion the Senate dispatched Messengers to all the provinces of the Messengers to all the provinces of the Messengers to all the provinces of the Empire encouraging the local magistrates Empire encouraging the local magistrates Empire encouraging the local magistrates to join in the uising and then sealing to join in the uising and then sealing to join in the uising and then sealing their pact in blood they tracked down their pact in blood they tracked down their pact in blood they tracked down the highest ranking official in Rome the highest ranking official in Rome the highest ranking official in Rome loyal to maximinus his petorian prefect loyal to maximinus his petorian prefect loyal to maximinus his petorian prefect and had him and had him and had him assassinated but though the standard assassinated but though the standard assassinated but though the standard raised by the Gardians was being flocked raised by the Gardians was being flocked raised by the Gardians was being flocked to the Gardians themselves were about to

to the Gardians themselves were about to to the Gardians themselves were about to become the first victims of the Imperial become the first victims of the Imperial become the first victims of the Imperial backlash there was only one Roman legion backlash there was only one Roman legion backlash there was only one Roman legion stationed west of Africa and that one stationed west of Africa and that one stationed west of Africa and that one Legion was not controlled by the Legion was not controlled by the Legion was not controlled by the Gardians neighboring the province of Gardians neighboring the province of Gardians neighboring the province of Africa was the small Imperial province Africa was the small Imperial province Africa was the small Imperial province of numidia which had been peeled off of numidia which had been peeled off of numidia which had been peeled off from Africa proper during the reign of from Africa proper during the reign of from Africa proper during the reign of Septimus searis and that was where the Septimus searis and that was where the Septimus searis and that was where the sole African Legion was sole African Legion was sole African Legion was based numidia was controlled by a based numidia was controlled by a based numidia was controlled by a general who was either loyal to general who was either loyal to general who was either loyal to maximinus a personal enemy of the maximinus a personal enemy of the maximinus a personal enemy of the Gardians or possibly both and when he Gardians or possibly both and when he Gardians or possibly both and when he heard that Africa was in Revolt he heard that Africa was in Revolt he heard that Africa was in Revolt he immediately marched his Legion to immediately marched his Legion to immediately marched his Legion to Carthage to put down the Carthage to put down the Carthage to put down the Rabel the Gardians knew all about that Rabel the Gardians knew all about that Rabel the Gardians knew all about that one Legion in numidia and after being one Legion in numidia and after being one Legion in numidia and after being invested with the purple gordian the invested with the purple gordian the invested with the purple gordian the younger set about raising a militia to younger set about raising a militia to younger set about raising a militia to help defend Carthage from help defend Carthage from help defend Carthage from attack but a hastily raised militia of attack but a hastily raised militia of attack but a hastily raised militia of civilians was never going to be able to civilians was never going to be able to civilians was never going to be able to withstand a true Legion composed of withstand a true Legion composed of withstand a true Legion composed of professional professional professional Soldiers the Africans had all the Soldiers the Africans had all the Soldiers the Africans had all the passion and dedication and heart in the passion and dedication and heart in the passion and dedication and heart in the world but in the end all of that bounced world but in the end all of that bounced world but in the end all of that bounced harmlessly off the shields of the harmlessly off the shields of the harmlessly off the shields of the numidian numidian numidian Legion on April 12 the legion arrived in Legion on April 12 the legion arrived in Legion on April 12 the legion arrived in Carthage and gordian the younger rode Carthage and gordian the younger rode Carthage and gordian the younger rode out at the head of his amateur Army to out at the head of his amateur Army to out at the head of his amateur Army to meet them the engagement was quick and meet them the engagement was quick and meet them the engagement was quick and decisive the militia was broken apart decisive the militia was broken apart decisive the militia was broken apart easily and gordian himself was killed in easily and gordian himself was killed in easily and gordian himself was killed in the the the fighting inside the city the Elder fighting inside the city the Elder fighting inside the city the Elder gordian heard what had happened to his gordian heard what had happened to his gordian heard what had happened to his son and resigned to his fate chose to

son and resigned to his fate chose to son and resigned to his fate chose to commit suicide rather than fall into the commit suicide rather than fall into the commit suicide rather than fall into the hands of the maximini hands of the maximini hands of the maximini it was an ironic end for a man who had it was an ironic end for a man who had it was an ironic end for a man who had spent most of his life avoiding both war spent most of his life avoiding both war spent most of his life avoiding both war and politics after the requisite week and a politics after the requisite week and a half waiting period the senators in Rome half waiting period the senators in Rome half waiting period the senators in Rome heard what had happened to their heard what had happened to their heard what had happened to their champions in Africa and the color champions in Africa and the color champions in Africa and the color drained from their Collective drained from their Collective drained from their Collective faces maybe they had been too quick to faces maybe they had been too quick to faces maybe they had been too quick to embrace the rebellion in the heady rush embrace the rebellion in the heady rush embrace the rebellion in the heady rush to overthrow maximinus they had not to overthrow maximinus they had not to overthrow maximinus they had not stopped to fully think through the stopped to fully think through the stopped to fully think through the consequences of their action consequences of their action consequences of their action they once again met in closed session they once again met in closed session they once again met in closed session this time in the temple of Concord to this time in the temple of Concord to this time in the temple of Concord to discuss their discuss their discuss their situation nothing stood between situation nothing stood between situation nothing stood between maximus's Dan Bion in Rome except for maximus's Dan Bion in Rome except for maximus's Dan Bion in Rome except for some hastily raised militia commanded by some hastily raised militia commanded by some hastily raised militia commanded by what a few Rich old what a few Rich old what a few Rich old Senators wasn't this exactly the Senators wasn't this exactly the Senators wasn't this exactly the situation the Gardians had just faced situation the Gardians had just faced situation the Gardians had just faced but on a much larger scale and look how but on a much larger scale and look how but on a much larger scale and look how that had turned out for that had turned out for that had turned out for them death on the battlefield or suicide them death on the battlefield or suicide them death on the battlefield or suicide in The Parlor seemed to be the only in The Parlor seemed to be the only in The Parlor seemed to be the only choice is left to them now so maybe we choice is left to them now so maybe we choice is left to them now so maybe we should send our apologies to maximinus should send our apologies to maximinus should send our apologies to maximinus for the misunderstanding offer our for the misunderstanding offer our for the misunderstanding offer our supplication and beg supplication and beg supplication and beg forgiveness but before they got too far forgiveness but before they got too far forgiveness but before they got too far down this road a senator Rose and down this road a senator Rose and down this road a senator Rose and reminded them of something that they all reminded them of something that they all reminded them of something that they all knew but were afraid to say their Fates knew but were afraid to say their Fates knew but were afraid to say their Fates were sealed there would be no mercy for were sealed there would be no mercy for were sealed there would be no mercy for maximinus they were all dead maximinus they were all dead maximinus they were all dead men then following one of those rousing

men then following one of those rousing men then following one of those rousing let us hang together for sure we will let us hang together for sure we will let us hang together for sure we will hang separately speeches the Senate hang separately speeches the Senate hang separately speeches the Senate agreed that the only honorable thing agreed that the only honorable thing agreed that the only honorable thing left to do was carry on with the left to do was carry on with the left to do was carry on with the Rebellion so they chose from their ranks Rebellion so they chose from their ranks Rebellion so they chose from their ranks of the 20 Senators on the executive of the 20 Senators on the executive of the 20 Senators on the executive Council two men who they agreed would be Council two men who they agreed would be Council two men who they agreed would be their new sovereigns Marcus Claudius their new sovereigns Marcus Claudius their new sovereigns Marcus Claudius pupienus Maximus and deamus keus pupienus Maximus and deamus keus pupienus Maximus and deamus keus calvinus balbinus the fourth and fifth calvinus balbinus the fourth and fifth calvinus balbinus the fourth and fifth Emperors of the year of the six Emperors of the year of the six Emperors of the year of the six Emperors the two men were chosen due to Emperors the two men were chosen due to Emperors the two men were chosen due to their seniority but but also due to the their seniority but but also due to the their seniority but but also due to the particular skill set each brought to the particular skill set each brought to the particular skill set each brought to the office pupienus was a lifelong soldier office pupienus was a lifelong soldier office pupienus was a lifelong soldier who had made his Fame and Fortune who had made his Fame and Fortune who had made his Fame and Fortune serving in the legions he had been serving in the legions he had been serving in the legions he had been appointed to two Consul ships had once appointed to two Consul ships had once appointed to two Consul ships had once been prefect of Rome and by the time of been prefect of Rome and by the time of been prefect of Rome and by the time of the Rebellion he was one of the most the Rebellion he was one of the most the Rebellion he was one of the most prominent men in the prominent men in the prominent men in the capital balbinus on the other hand had capital balbinus on the other hand had capital balbinus on the other hand had made his name as a man of letters an made his name as a man of letters an made his name as a man of letters an oror and poet and lawyer of great Renown oror and poet and lawyer of great Renown oror and poet and lawyer of great Renown he had also served two Consul ships and he had also served two Consul ships and he had also served two Consul ships and was admired by the other Senators not was admired by the other Senators not was admired by the other Senators not just for his Brilliance but for the fact just for his Brilliance but for the fact just for his Brilliance but for the fact that his loyalty was to the Senate not that his loyalty was to the Senate not that his loyalty was to the Senate not to the to the to the legions it was determined that pupienus legions it was determined that pupienus legions it was determined that pupienus would immediately make for Rena where he would immediately make for Rena where he would immediately make for Rena where he would spearhead the military defense of would spearhead the military defense of would spearhead the military defense of Italy while balanus would remain in Rome Italy while balanus would remain in Rome Italy while balanus would remain in Rome and take care of the daily and take care of the daily and take care of the daily administration of the administration of the administration of the capital it was a neat division of labor capital it was a neat division of labor capital it was a neat division of labor but seemed the perfect answer to the but seemed the perfect answer to the but seemed the perfect answer to the Empire's woes but in reality the Empire's woes but in reality the Empire's woes but in reality the partnership would not last the year

partnership would not last the year partnership would not last the year the Senate once again emerged from their the Senate once again emerged from their the Senate once again emerged from their sequestered session and announced the sequestered session and announced the sequestered session and announced the elevation of penus and balbinus to the elevation of penus and balbinus to the elevation of penus and balbinus to the citizens of citizens of citizens of Rome unlike their declaration ratifying Rome unlike their declaration ratifying Rome unlike their declaration ratifying the elevation of the Gardians however the elevation of the Gardians however the elevation of the Gardians however this latest announcement was not met by this latest announcement was not met by this latest announcement was not met by thunderous Applause but rather by booze thunderous Applause but rather by booze thunderous Applause but rather by booze jeers and the occasional flying jeers and the occasional flying jeers and the occasional flying object the people had been enthusiastic object the people had been enthusiastic object the people had been enthusiastic about the Ascension of the Gardians about the Ascension of the Gardians about the Ascension of the Gardians because the Gardians had always been because the Gardians had always been because the Gardians had always been popular with the general popul popular with the general popul popular with the general popul population people still raved about the population people still raved about the population people still raved about the games the Elder gordion had games the Elder gordion had games the Elder gordion had thrown but now they were being offered thrown but now they were being offered thrown but now they were being offered what a couple of old Patrician Senators what a couple of old Patrician Senators what a couple of old Patrician Senators who had never done a thing for them and who had never done a thing for them and who had never done a thing for them and were likely never to do a thing for were likely never to do a thing for were likely never to do a thing for them the citizens of Rome felt that them the citizens of Rome felt that them the citizens of Rome felt that their interest had just been tossed their interest had just been tossed their interest had just been tossed overboard by the Senate and so they made overboard by the Senate and so they made overboard by the Senate and so they made their displeasure known their displeasure known their displeasure known loudly they cried out that the only way loudly they cried out that the only way loudly they cried out that the only way this new senatorial regime would have this new senatorial regime would have this new senatorial regime would have any legitimacy at all was if they also any legitimacy at all was if they also any legitimacy at all was if they also elevated another gordian to the elevated another gordian to the elevated another gordian to the purple the only other gordian available purple the only other gordian available purple the only other gordian available was a 13-year-old boy who was the was a 13-year-old boy who was the was a 13-year-old boy who was the grandson of gordian the Elder and the grandson of gordian the Elder and the grandson of gordian the Elder and the nephew of gordian the younger which I nephew of gordian the younger which I nephew of gordian the younger which I suppose means we could call him gordian suppose means we could call him gordian suppose means we could call him gordian the youngest but instead we call him the youngest but instead we call him the youngest but instead we call him gordian gordian gordian III afraid that unrest in Rome would III afraid that unrest in Rome would III afraid that unrest in Rome would undermine the war effort the Senate saw undermine the war effort the Senate saw undermine the war effort the Senate saw little reason to deny the people's little reason to deny the people's little reason to deny the people's request and young gordian was named request and young gordian was named request and young gordian was named Caesar and Junior colleague of penis and

Caesar and Junior colleague of penis and Caesar and Junior colleague of penis and balbinus he was the sixth of the six balbinus he was the sixth of the six balbinus he was the sixth of the six Emperors of the year of the six Emperors Emperors of the year of the six Emperors Emperors of the year of the six Emperors and by the end of the year he would be and by the end of the year he would be and by the end of the year he would be the only one left standing once the senatorial regime was standing once the senatorial regime was accepted by the people pupienus headed accepted by the people pupienus headed accepted by the people pupienus headed to Rena to coordinate the defense of to Rena to coordinate the defense of to Rena to coordinate the defense of Italy he had very little time to prepare Italy he had very little time to prepare Italy he had very little time to prepare as it was assumed that the danu legions as it was assumed that the danu legions as it was assumed that the danu legions would come pouring out of the Alps any would come pouring out of the Alps any would come pouring out of the Alps any day now and had maximinus broke Camp the day now and had maximinus broke Camp the day now and had maximinus broke Camp the minute he heard about gordian's initial minute he heard about gordian's initial minute he heard about gordian's initial Revolt he probably could have marched Revolt he probably could have marched Revolt he probably could have marched unchallenged all the way to unchallenged all the way to unchallenged all the way to Rome but maximinus did not immediately Rome but maximinus did not immediately Rome but maximinus did not immediately break Camp he was after all a soldier a break Camp he was after all a soldier a break Camp he was after all a soldier a soldier trained practically from birth soldier trained practically from birth soldier trained practically from birth to believe that the defense of the to believe that the defense of the to believe that the defense of the Frontiers was his only purpose in Frontiers was his only purpose in Frontiers was his only purpose in life so rather than immediately pack up life so rather than immediately pack up life so rather than immediately pack up the danu legions and March on Italy the danu legions and March on Italy the danu legions and March on Italy Maxim minia spent a few crucial days Maxim minia spent a few crucial days Maxim minia spent a few crucial days arranging troop deployments so that you arranging troop deployments so that you arranging troop deployments so that you would not leave any space for would not leave any space for would not leave any space for opportunistic Germans to squeeze opportunistic Germans to squeeze opportunistic Germans to squeeze through this moment of fidelity to the through this moment of fidelity to the through this moment of fidelity to the Integrity of the empire was likely one Integrity of the empire was likely one Integrity of the empire was likely one of the key factors in maximinus of the key factors in maximinus of the key factors in maximinus ultimately losing both the throne and ultimately losing both the throne and ultimately losing both the throne and his life as it gave the Italian cities his life as it gave the Italian cities his life as it gave the Italian cities crucial time to prepare for his crucial time to prepare for his crucial time to prepare for his invasion but once the Border was invasion but once the Border was invasion but once the Border was arranged to his liking maximinus packed arranged to his liking maximinus packed arranged to his liking maximinus packed up the bulk of his men and marched on up the bulk of his men and marched on up the bulk of his men and marched on Italy the f days delay had done nothing Italy the f days delay had done nothing Italy the f days delay had done nothing to dampen his temper and it was a

to dampen his temper and it was a to dampen his temper and it was a furious Vengeance driven Emperor who led furious Vengeance driven Emperor who led furious Vengeance driven Emperor who led his troops through the Alps and into the his troops through the Alps and into the his troops through the Alps and into the po po po valley he was going to cut a swath right valley he was going to cut a swath right valley he was going to cut a swath right through Italy on the way to Rome and through Italy on the way to Rome and through Italy on the way to Rome and when he got to Rome he was going to kill when he got to Rome he was going to kill when he got to Rome he was going to kill every Senator he could find the every Senator he could find the every Senator he could find the insolence of that pathetic body was just insolence of that pathetic body was just insolence of that pathetic body was just too much to bear it was time to too much to bear it was time to too much to bear it was time to exterminate the whole disgusting lot of exterminate the whole disgusting lot of exterminate the whole disgusting lot of them but maximinus wouldn't make it to them but maximinus wouldn't make it to them but maximinus wouldn't make it to Rome he wouldn't even make it out of the Rome he wouldn't even make it out of the Rome he wouldn't even make it out of the po valley not alive anyway next time maximinus and his anyway next time maximinus and his troops will indeed come pouring out of troops will indeed come pouring out of troops will indeed come pouring out of the Alps but rather than cutting a swath the Alps but rather than cutting a swath the Alps but rather than cutting a swath through Italy they would be stopped through Italy they would be stopped through Italy they would be stopped short by the stern resistance of the short by the stern resistance of the short by the stern resistance of the citizens of citizens of citizens of aquala maximinus had always assumed that aquala maximinus had always assumed that aquala maximinus had always assumed that the Italians were a weak lot made soft the Italians were a weak lot made soft the Italians were a weak lot made soft by years of Peace but he was about to by years of Peace but he was about to by years of Peace but he was about to discover that the old Roman obstinacy discover that the old Roman obstinacy discover that the old Roman obstinacy was alive and was alive and was alive and well rather than simply roll over aquala well rather than simply roll over aquala well rather than simply roll over aquala chose to fight something maximinus had chose to fight something maximinus had chose to fight something maximinus had not really not really not really anticipated unable to break the siege anticipated unable to break the siege anticipated unable to break the siege the frustrated anger of the thian the frustrated anger of the thian the frustrated anger of the thian emperor would eventually be released on emperor would eventually be released on emperor would eventually be released on his own men and when they had taken his own men and when they had taken his own men and when they had taken enough of his lashings they would return enough of his lashings they would return enough of his lashings they would return the favor by taking their own frustrated the favor by taking their own frustrated the favor by taking their own frustrated anger out on anger out on anger out on him the siege of aquala would finally him the siege of aquala would finally him the siege of aquala would finally end not with the sacked but with end not with the sacked but with end not with the sacked but with maximus's head posted on a spike in maximus's head posted on a spike in maximus's head posted on a spike in front of the city

Gates I say next time because I'm taking Gates I say next time because I'm taking Labor Day weekend off but we'll be back Labor Day weekend off but we'll be back Labor Day weekend off but we'll be back in two weeks for the death of maximinus in two weeks for the death of maximinus in two weeks for the death of maximinus the short and turbulent reign of the the short and turbulent reign of the the short and turbulent reign of the senatorial co-emperors and the senatorial co-emperors and the senatorial co-emperors and the surprising emergence of young gordian surprising emergence of young gordian surprising emergence of young gordian III as the sole emperor of the Roman III as the sole emperor of the Roman III as the sole emperor of the Roman Empire a possibility I'm sure was not Empire a possibility I'm sure was not Empire a possibility I'm sure was not really on his radar when the year began really on his radar when the year began really on his radar when the year began I'll close this week with a brief note I'll close this week with a brief note I'll close this week with a brief note on the history of Rome tour which is on the history of Rome tour which is on the history of Rome tour which is fast becoming the history of Rome tours fast becoming the history of Rome tours fast becoming the history of Rome tours the response has been fantastic to say the response has been fantastic to say the response has been fantastic to say the least and we are working double time the least and we are working double time the least and we are working double time to schedule additional trips so that to schedule additional trips so that to schedule additional trips so that everyone who wants to go can go I don't everyone who wants to go can go I don't everyone who wants to go can go I don't have any firm details just yet on when have any firm details just yet on when have any firm details just yet on when those might be but hopefully we'll have those might be but hopefully we'll have those might be but hopefully we'll have it all in place here pretty it all in place here pretty it all in place here pretty quick and of course Beyond this initial quick and of course Beyond this initial quick and of course Beyond this initial itinerary we've created we've been itinerary we've created we've been itinerary we've created we've been kicking around some other ideas for kicking around some other ideas for kicking around some other ideas for future tours that I think you're going future tours that I think you're going future tours that I think you're going to find very very cool so even if this to find very very cool so even if this to find very very cool so even if this first go around wasn't going to work for first go around wasn't going to work for first go around wasn't going to work for you I want you to know that maybe we'll you I want you to know that maybe we'll you I want you to know that maybe we'll have something soon for you too have something soon for you too have something soon for you too [Music]

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 108 gordian's not last week we left the upstart not last week we left the upstart senatorial regime of panis and balbinus senatorial regime of panis and balbinus senatorial regime of panis and balbinus preparing preping for a showdown with preparing preping for a showdown with preparing preping for a showdown with maximinus thra and his veteran danu maximinus thra and his veteran danu maximinus thra and his veteran danu Legions while balbinus kept an eye on Legions while balbinus kept an eye on Legions while balbinus kept an eye on Rome pupienus had ridden North to Rena Rome pupienus had ridden North to Rena Rome pupienus had ridden North to Rena to lead the defense of Italy but when to lead the defense of Italy but when to lead the defense of Italy but when the final showdown came neither of the the final showdown came neither of the the final showdown came neither of the senatorial Emperors were there to senatorial Emperors were there to senatorial Emperors were there to witness maximus's witness maximus's witness maximus's fall neither was 13-year-old gordian III fall neither was 13-year-old gordian III fall neither was 13-year-old gordian III who was destined to outlast them all when they emerged from the Julian all when they emerged from the Julian Alps into Italy Max minus and his Alps into Italy Max minus and his Alps into Italy Max minus and his Legions found the po valley Legions found the po valley Legions found the po valley deserted fearing the Wrath of the thian deserted fearing the Wrath of the thian deserted fearing the Wrath of the thian general the local inhabitants had fled general the local inhabitants had fled general the local inhabitants had fled to the various walled cities of Northern to the various walled cities of Northern to the various walled cities of Northern Italy where they hoped to at least ride Italy where they hoped to at least ride Italy where they hoped to at least ride out the out the out the storm luckily for the frightened storm luckily for the frightened storm luckily for the frightened Italians the storm didn't make it very Italians the storm didn't make it very Italians the storm didn't make it very far before far before far before dissipating the first major city in dissipating the first major city in dissipating the first major city in maximus's path was aquala and when he maximus's path was aquala and when he maximus's path was aquala and when he arrived in April 238 he demanded the arrived in April 238 he demanded the arrived in April 238 he demanded the aquilan throw open the gates for their aquilan throw open the gates for their aquilan throw open the gates for their lawful sovereign lawful sovereign lawful sovereign but the citizens refused and led by two but the citizens refused and led by two but the citizens refused and led by two of the Senators who had been appointed of the Senators who had been appointed of the Senators who had been appointed in the opening days of the Revolt to in the opening days of the Revolt to in the opening days of the Revolt to serve on the emergency defense committee serve on the emergency defense committee serve on the emergency defense committee prepared to make a prepared to make a prepared to make a stand enraged by this Disobedience stand enraged by this Disobedience stand enraged by this Disobedience maximia set Siege to the city and planed maximia set Siege to the city and planed maximia set Siege to the city and planed to make an example of it to the rest of

to make an example of it to the rest of to make an example of it to the rest of Italy but aquala was well fortified and Italy but aquala was well fortified and Italy but aquala was well fortified and managed to repulse maximus's initial managed to repulse maximus's initial managed to repulse maximus's initial attacks this as you can imagine sent the attacks this as you can imagine sent the attacks this as you can imagine sent the emperor into an even deeper rage emperor into an even deeper rage emperor into an even deeper rage it was right around this point that the it was right around this point that the it was right around this point that the stern discipline of maximinus which had stern discipline of maximinus which had stern discipline of maximinus which had always been one of the main reasons his always been one of the main reasons his always been one of the main reasons his men respected him began to become men respected him began to become men respected him began to become instead one of the main reasons why they instead one of the main reasons why they instead one of the main reasons why they hated him he flew off the handle at the hated him he flew off the handle at the hated him he flew off the handle at the slightest provocation issued punishments slightest provocation issued punishments slightest provocation issued punishments far in excessive crimes and generally far in excessive crimes and generally far in excessive crimes and generally put everyone on edge blinded by the put everyone on edge blinded by the put everyone on edge blinded by the theory of all this Defiance maximinus theory of all this Defiance maximinus theory of all this Defiance maximinus quickly drove his men from love to hate further degrading the morale of the further degrading the morale of the troops was the pity of supplies they troops was the pity of supplies they troops was the pity of supplies they were able to scr up in the were able to scr up in the were able to scr up in the countryside most everything edible had countryside most everything edible had countryside most everything edible had been carted behind the walls of the city been carted behind the walls of the city been carted behind the walls of the city so it was the besiegers as much as the so it was the besiegers as much as the so it was the besiegers as much as the besieged who found themselves afflicted besieged who found themselves afflicted besieged who found themselves afflicted by hunger thirst and by hunger thirst and by hunger thirst and exhaustion encamped miserably outside of exhaustion encamped miserably outside of exhaustion encamped miserably outside of a city that refused to yield maximus's a city that refused to yield maximus's a city that refused to yield maximus's Army began to question the Judgment of Army began to question the Judgment of Army began to question the Judgment of their Emperor the especially as he was their Emperor the especially as he was their Emperor the especially as he was rampaging around the camps ordering rampaging around the camps ordering rampaging around the camps ordering executions for the slightest executions for the slightest executions for the slightest infraction once they began to question infraction once they began to question infraction once they began to question maximus's judgment they began to maximus's judgment they began to maximus's judgment they began to question their own loyalty to him after question their own loyalty to him after question their own loyalty to him after all what were they doing besieging a all what were they doing besieging a all what were they doing besieging a city they had been sworn to protect how city they had been sworn to protect how city they had been sworn to protect how did that make

did that make did that make sense in the ranks of the petorian Guard sense in the ranks of the petorian Guard sense in the ranks of the petorian Guard these doubts took on a murderous tone these doubts took on a murderous tone these doubts took on a murderous tone maybe if they took out maximinus they maybe if they took out maximinus they maybe if they took out maximinus they would be pardoned for their involvement would be pardoned for their involvement would be pardoned for their involvement in his regime in his regime in his regime and allowed to just go back to and allowed to just go back to and allowed to just go back to work at the end of April 238 a group of work at the end of April 238 a group of work at the end of April 238 a group of officers agreed to do what was officers agreed to do what was officers agreed to do what was necessary they surprised maximinus in necessary they surprised maximinus in necessary they surprised maximinus in his tent and killed both the emperor and his tent and killed both the emperor and his tent and killed both the emperor and his his his son then they posted the head of their son then they posted the head of their son then they posted the head of their dead leader on a spike and stuck it in dead leader on a spike and stuck it in dead leader on a spike and stuck it in front of the gates of aquala signaling front of the gates of aquala signaling front of the gates of aquala signaling to the city that The Siege was to the city that The Siege was to the city that The Siege was over maximinus thrax was 65 years old over maximinus thrax was 65 years old over maximinus thrax was 65 years old and had ruled the empire for just over 3 and had ruled the empire for just over 3 and had ruled the empire for just over 3 years though he had provided for a years though he had provided for a years though he had provided for a vigorous defense of the frontier his vigorous defense of the frontier his vigorous defense of the frontier his single-minded support for the legions at single-minded support for the legions at single-minded support for the legions at the expense of every other aspect of the expense of every other aspect of the expense of every other aspect of Roman society got the ball really Roman society got the ball really Roman society got the ball really rolling on the crisis of the 3rd century when the inhabitants of aquala century when the inhabitants of aquala saw the disembodied head of maximinus saw the disembodied head of maximinus saw the disembodied head of maximinus sitting a top of Spike they immediately sitting a top of Spike they immediately sitting a top of Spike they immediately raised a cheer and opened the gates of raised a cheer and opened the gates of raised a cheer and opened the gates of their City to the weary Legions camped their City to the weary Legions camped their City to the weary Legions camped outside soldiers and citizens mixed outside soldiers and citizens mixed outside soldiers and citizens mixed freely and provided Comfort to one freely and provided Comfort to one freely and provided Comfort to one another agreeing that it was only The another agreeing that it was only The another agreeing that it was only The Madness of the Barbarian emperor that Madness of the Barbarian emperor that Madness of the Barbarian emperor that had made them had made them had made them enemies it was a really touching scene enemies it was a really touching scene enemies it was a really touching scene that would have been even more touching that would have been even more touching that would have been even more touching had it had any lasting impact at all had had it had any lasting impact at all had had it had any lasting impact at all had this actually been a defining moment this actually been a defining moment this actually been a defining moment where the soldiers realized that their

where the soldiers realized that their where the soldiers realized that their job was the protection of the Empire not job was the protection of the Empire not job was the protection of the Empire not the acquisition of immense wealth at the the acquisition of immense wealth at the the acquisition of immense wealth at the expense of the expense of the expense of the Empire but this touching moment of Empire but this touching moment of Empire but this touching moment of Contrition was made Possible only by the Contrition was made Possible only by the Contrition was made Possible only by the fact that the soldiers had fact that the soldiers had fact that the soldiers had lost had aquila's defenses been just a lost had aquila's defenses been just a lost had aquila's defenses been just a little less staunch or had there been little less staunch or had there been little less staunch or had there been just a little more food to eat the just a little more food to eat the just a little more food to eat the soldiers of maximus's army would have soldiers of maximus's army would have soldiers of maximus's army would have been more than happy to go on and Sack been more than happy to go on and Sack been more than happy to go on and Sack Rome Rome Rome itself but the going got tough so they itself but the going got tough so they itself but the going got tough so they abandoned their General and begged for abandoned their General and begged for abandoned their General and begged for mercy this was a cycle that will play mercy this was a cycle that will play mercy this was a cycle that will play out again and again in the years to come out again and again in the years to come out again and again in the years to come when the legions are up they will demand when the legions are up they will demand when the legions are up they will demand gold and obedience and when they are gold and obedience and when they are gold and obedience and when they are down they will demand forgiveness and down they will demand forgiveness and down they will demand forgiveness and charity sometimes it will take a little charity sometimes it will take a little charity sometimes it will take a little while for a particular set of Legions to while for a particular set of Legions to while for a particular set of Legions to follow through on the full cycle from follow through on the full cycle from follow through on the full cycle from arrogance to Contrition and back to arrogance to Contrition and back to arrogance to Contrition and back to arrogance again but sometimes they SLP arrogance again but sometimes they SLP arrogance again but sometimes they SLP back just as soon as they were out of back just as soon as they were out of back just as soon as they were out of immediate immediate immediate danger the men of maximus's petorian danger the men of maximus's petorian danger the men of maximus's petorian guard for example who had organized his guard for example who had organized his guard for example who had organized his assassination for the good of the empire assassination for the good of the empire assassination for the good of the empire were just months from assassinating his were just months from assassinating his were just months from assassinating his successors for the good of the Empire from his headquarters in Rena Empire from his headquarters in Rena penus ordered the danu legions back to penus ordered the danu legions back to penus ordered the danu legions back to their camps in the north and when it their camps in the north and when it their camps in the north and when it seemed like everything was hunky dory seemed like everything was hunky dory seemed like everything was hunky dory again he returned to again he returned to again he returned to Rome the last few months had been a Rome the last few months had been a Rome the last few months had been a whirlwind but it seemed like the upshot whirlwind but it seemed like the upshot whirlwind but it seemed like the upshot of it all would be that he and balbinus

of it all would be that he and balbinus of it all would be that he and balbinus appointed in haste at a moment of Crisis appointed in haste at a moment of Crisis appointed in haste at a moment of Crisis would now be rulers of the Roman would now be rulers of the Roman would now be rulers of the Roman Empire who knows with their Reign Empire who knows with their Reign Empire who knows with their Reign setting a new precedent the Senate might setting a new precedent the Senate might setting a new precedent the Senate might find itself recovering some of its old find itself recovering some of its old find itself recovering some of its old Power the armies were humbl and the Power the armies were humbl and the Power the armies were humbl and the borans were in their Corner a new day borans were in their Corner a new day borans were in their Corner a new day was Dawning but it would prove to be a false Dawning but it would prove to be a false Dawn back in Rome the scene was ugly and Dawn back in Rome the scene was ugly and Dawn back in Rome the scene was ugly and getting getting getting uglier balbinus had taken charge of the uglier balbinus had taken charge of the uglier balbinus had taken charge of the capital following his elevation to the capital following his elevation to the capital following his elevation to the purple and though he was a master jurist purple and though he was a master jurist purple and though he was a master jurist and poet and orator he turned out to be and poet and orator he turned out to be and poet and orator he turned out to be in over his head as an in over his head as an in over his head as an administrator the political upheavals of administrator the political upheavals of administrator the political upheavals of 238 had caused numerous disruptions to 238 had caused numerous disruptions to 238 had caused numerous disruptions to the services that most Romans took for the services that most Romans took for the services that most Romans took for granted and balbinus had been unable to granted and balbinus had been unable to granted and balbinus had been unable to sort it all out and get things running sort it all out and get things running sort it all out and get things running smoothly smoothly smoothly again adding to his heartburn was the again adding to his heartburn was the again adding to his heartburn was the fact that rabble rousing demagogues were fact that rabble rousing demagogues were fact that rabble rousing demagogues were using the uncertainty to argue that the using the uncertainty to argue that the using the uncertainty to argue that the people ought to recover some of their people ought to recover some of their people ought to recover some of their old Power as well after all when defe old Power as well after all when defe old Power as well after all when defe beating maximinus really deliver them beating maximinus really deliver them beating maximinus really deliver them from tyranny if the Senate and the from tyranny if the Senate and the from tyranny if the Senate and the Senate alone reap the political Senate alone reap the political Senate alone reap the political benefits riots broke out and street benefits riots broke out and street benefits riots broke out and street fighting became distressingly fighting became distressingly fighting became distressingly common penus returned home to find Rome common penus returned home to find Rome common penus returned home to find Rome even more chaotic than it had been when even more chaotic than it had been when even more chaotic than it had been when he left and immediately he blamed his he left and immediately he blamed his he left and immediately he blamed his colleague for the

colleague for the colleague for the mess the new ascendancy of the Senate mess the new ascendancy of the Senate mess the new ascendancy of the Senate might have stood a chance had the men might have stood a chance had the men might have stood a chance had the men they put in power gotten along they put in power gotten along they put in power gotten along but it quickly became apparent that but it quickly became apparent that but it quickly became apparent that penus and balbinus had neither love nor penus and balbinus had neither love nor penus and balbinus had neither love nor respect for one respect for one respect for one another pupienus saw balbinus as a soft another pupienus saw balbinus as a soft another pupienus saw balbinus as a soft Aristocrat who knew nothing about the Aristocrat who knew nothing about the Aristocrat who knew nothing about the realities of the world and balbinus saw realities of the world and balbinus saw realities of the world and balbinus saw pupienus as little more than an pupienus as little more than an pupienus as little more than an uneducated soldier who well knew nothing uneducated soldier who well knew nothing uneducated soldier who well knew nothing about the realities of the world about the realities of the world about the realities of the world either when the immediate crisis passed either when the immediate crisis passed either when the immediate crisis passed whatever unified front the two Emperors whatever unified front the two Emperors whatever unified front the two Emperors presented was shattered adding to the general chaos in June a adding to the general chaos in June a hugely destructive fire broke out in hugely destructive fire broke out in hugely destructive fire broke out in Rome now fires in Rome were nothing new Rome now fires in Rome were nothing new Rome now fires in Rome were nothing new nor were they anything you could just nor were they anything you could just nor were they anything you could just snap your fingers and put out but the snap your fingers and put out but the snap your fingers and put out but the population took the opportunity to rail population took the opportunity to rail population took the opportunity to rail against the new Emperors and their against the new Emperors and their against the new Emperors and their ineffectual response ineffectual response ineffectual response anyway the new Emperors then decided anyway the new Emperors then decided anyway the new Emperors then decided that the best way to react to all this that the best way to react to all this that the best way to react to all this railing was to Simply blame each other railing was to Simply blame each other railing was to Simply blame each other for for for everything by July of 2 38 panus and everything by July of 2 38 panus and everything by July of 2 38 panus and balbinus had divided up the Imperial balbinus had divided up the Imperial balbinus had divided up the Imperial Palace like kakawa and geta before them Palace like kakawa and geta before them Palace like kakawa and geta before them and were barely on speaking terms in and were barely on speaking terms in and were barely on speaking terms in case you were wondering no this does not case you were wondering no this does not case you were wondering no this does not end well the new senatorial regime would well the new senatorial regime would finally come toppling down at the hands finally come toppling down at the hands finally come toppling down at the hands of that old Imperial Boogeyman the of that old Imperial Boogeyman the of that old Imperial Boogeyman the petorian

petorian petorian guard since a few of their members had guard since a few of their members had guard since a few of their members had so helpfully assassinated maximinus just so helpfully assassinated maximinus just so helpfully assassinated maximinus just a few months before the pretorians had a few months before the pretorians had a few months before the pretorians had been kept largely intact after power was been kept largely intact after power was been kept largely intact after power was transferred from maximinus to pupienus transferred from maximinus to pupienus transferred from maximinus to pupienus and balbinus which turned out to be a and balbinus which turned out to be a and balbinus which turned out to be a huge huge huge mistake when everything shook out the mistake when everything shook out the mistake when everything shook out the same officers who had so willingly same officers who had so willingly same officers who had so willingly carried out maximus's commands were carried out maximus's commands were carried out maximus's commands were still in charge and despite their recent still in charge and despite their recent still in charge and despite their recent regicide they were still gripped more or regicide they were still gripped more or regicide they were still gripped more or less by the same worldview namely that less by the same worldview namely that less by the same worldview namely that the petorian guard was at the center of the petorian guard was at the center of the petorian guard was at the center of the universe and everyone else revolved the universe and everyone else revolved the universe and everyone else revolved around them around them around them but the Senate and the new Emperors but the Senate and the new Emperors but the Senate and the new Emperors didn't see it that way and not only did didn't see it that way and not only did didn't see it that way and not only did they not see it that way but they they not see it that way but they they not see it that way but they actively tried to prove the petorian actively tried to prove the petorian actively tried to prove the petorian wrong so rather than being rewarded for wrong so rather than being rewarded for wrong so rather than being rewarded for delivering the Empire from tyranny the delivering the Empire from tyranny the delivering the Empire from tyranny the guard found themselves cut out of the guard found themselves cut out of the guard found themselves cut out of the loop their bonus demands ignored and loop their bonus demands ignored and loop their bonus demands ignored and their egos generally trampled their egos generally trampled their egos generally trampled on it didn't take long for the guard to on it didn't take long for the guard to on it didn't take long for the guard to decide that it was high time they decide that it was high time they decide that it was high time they reminded everyone who was really at the reminded everyone who was really at the reminded everyone who was really at the center of the Universe on July 29 one of the prefects Universe on July 29 one of the prefects led a group of murderous soldiers to the led a group of murderous soldiers to the led a group of murderous soldiers to the Palace where they planned to reassert Palace where they planned to reassert Palace where they planned to reassert the authority of the petorian the authority of the petorian the authority of the petorian Guard luckily for the Assassins the Guard luckily for the Assassins the Guard luckily for the Assassins the co-emperors H up in their respective co-emperors H up in their respective co-emperors H up in their respective wings of the Imperial residence each wings of the Imperial residence each wings of the Imperial residence each assumed that the attack had been assumed that the attack had been assumed that the attack had been instigated by the

instigated by the instigated by the other they were so busy with their own other they were so busy with their own other they were so busy with their own rivalry that it never occurred to them rivalry that it never occurred to them rivalry that it never occurred to them that some third party might Target them that some third party might Target them that some third party might Target them both United they might have stood a both United they might have stood a both United they might have stood a chance but divided they both fell to the chance but divided they both fell to the chance but divided they both fell to the quick quick quick assault within the hour both pupienus assault within the hour both pupienus assault within the hour both pupienus and balbinus lay and balbinus lay and balbinus lay dead both were in their mid-60s and had dead both were in their mid-60s and had dead both were in their mid-60s and had ruled the empire for just about four months the sudden murder of the two months the sudden murder of the two Emperors came as a complete shock to the Emperors came as a complete shock to the Emperors came as a complete shock to the Senate the people and the armies of Senate the people and the armies of Senate the people and the armies of Rome but it came as the greatest shock Rome but it came as the greatest shock Rome but it came as the greatest shock of all to Young gordian theii safely of all to Young gordian theii safely of all to Young gordian theii safely ensconced in his own house in the ensconced in his own house in the ensconced in his own house in the city the pretorians had not rushed into city the pretorians had not rushed into city the pretorians had not rushed into their assassination plot without their assassination plot without their assassination plot without thinking things through and gordian's thinking things through and gordian's thinking things through and gordian's position as Caesar and air seemed like position as Caesar and air seemed like position as Caesar and air seemed like the perfect cover for their the perfect cover for their the perfect cover for their crime as I mentioned last week the boy crime as I mentioned last week the boy crime as I mentioned last week the boy was in place because the people had was in place because the people had was in place because the people had demanded his inclusion in the new regime demanded his inclusion in the new regime demanded his inclusion in the new regime so all the pretorians had to do was so all the pretorians had to do was so all the pretorians had to do was leave the kid untouched and everything leave the kid untouched and everything leave the kid untouched and everything would just work itself out naturally would just work itself out naturally would just work itself out naturally young gordian was already in the young gordian was already in the young gordian was already in the people's favor so the guard wouldn't people's favor so the guard wouldn't people's favor so the guard wouldn't have to worry about a popular backlash have to worry about a popular backlash have to worry about a popular backlash and since the new emperor was also only and since the new emperor was also only and since the new emperor was also only 13 years old they wouldn't have to worry 13 years old they wouldn't have to worry 13 years old they wouldn't have to worry about him having too much of a mind of about him having too much of a mind of about him having too much of a mind of his own his own his own either in gordian they saw the potential either in gordian they saw the potential either in gordian they saw the potential for a popular puppet who they could make for a popular puppet who they could make for a popular puppet who they could make dance whatever dance they saw dance whatever dance they saw dance whatever dance they saw fit as soon as pupienus and balbinus

fit as soon as pupienus and balbinus fit as soon as pupienus and balbinus were dead the guard made a great show of were dead the guard made a great show of were dead the guard made a great show of acknowledging gordi and the third as acknowledging gordi and the third as acknowledging gordi and the third as their s Sovereign the people cheered the their s Sovereign the people cheered the their s Sovereign the people cheered the Senate groaned and life went on like the recently deceased Alexander on like the recently deceased Alexander searis young gordian III found himself searis young gordian III found himself searis young gordian III found himself declared Emperor before he had the declared Emperor before he had the declared Emperor before he had the education or the experience necessary to education or the experience necessary to education or the experience necessary to rule rule rule properly it was thus left to his mother properly it was thus left to his mother properly it was thus left to his mother Antonia gordiana who was the daughter of Antonia gordiana who was the daughter of Antonia gordiana who was the daughter of gordian the first and the sister of gordian the first and the sister of gordian the first and the sister of gordian II to navigate her son through gordian II to navigate her son through gordian II to navigate her son through the snake pit of Roman po the snake pit of Roman po the snake pit of Roman po Politics as Wily a politician as Julia Politics as Wily a politician as Julia Politics as Wily a politician as Julia Mia had been gordiana somehow managed to Mia had been gordiana somehow managed to Mia had been gordiana somehow managed to play the pretorians and the Senate off play the pretorians and the Senate off play the pretorians and the Senate off each other and while the former wielded each other and while the former wielded each other and while the former wielded considerable influence they found considerable influence they found considerable influence they found themselves still answering to a Cadre of themselves still answering to a Cadre of themselves still answering to a Cadre of senators who formed the deao governing senators who formed the deao governing senators who formed the deao governing Council that controlled the Empire Council that controlled the Empire Council that controlled the Empire during the first few years of gordian's during the first few years of gordian's during the first few years of gordian's Reign the pretorians had not become the Reign the pretorians had not become the Reign the pretorians had not become the Puppet Masters they dreamed of being but Puppet Masters they dreamed of being but Puppet Masters they dreamed of being but neither were their sensitive egos neither were their sensitive egos neither were their sensitive egos trampled to the point that they really trampled to the point that they really trampled to the point that they really wanted to do something about wanted to do something about wanted to do something about it plus the murders of pupienus and it plus the murders of pupienus and it plus the murders of pupienus and balbinus had been made possible in part balbinus had been made possible in part balbinus had been made possible in part by the existence of the popular gordian by the existence of the popular gordian by the existence of the popular gordian waiting in the wings if they killed waiting in the wings if they killed waiting in the wings if they killed gordian well that wouldn't trigger gordian well that wouldn't trigger gordian well that wouldn't trigger thankful Applause so much as it would thankful Applause so much as it would thankful Applause so much as it would trigger vengeful trigger vengeful trigger vengeful riots thus an uneasy piece took hold in

riots thus an uneasy piece took hold in riots thus an uneasy piece took hold in the city the people were happy with the city the people were happy with the city the people were happy with their young prince their young prince their young prince the pretorians were temporarily held at the pretorians were temporarily held at the pretorians were temporarily held at Bay and the Senate kept a watch on daily Bay and the Senate kept a watch on daily Bay and the Senate kept a watch on daily Administration but everyone had an eye Administration but everyone had an eye Administration but everyone had an eye on everyone else and they were all on everyone else and they were all on everyone else and they were all waiting for the other shoe to drop but when the other shoe finally drop but when the other shoe finally dropped it wasn't to shatter the piece dropped it wasn't to shatter the piece dropped it wasn't to shatter the piece but rather to cement but rather to cement but rather to cement it in 240 a brief Revolt broke out in it in 240 a brief Revolt broke out in it in 240 a brief Revolt broke out in the province of Africa led by an the province of Africa led by an the province of Africa led by an aristocrat named sabinianus aristocrat named sabinianus aristocrat named sabinianus he sought to use the same revolutionary he sought to use the same revolutionary he sought to use the same revolutionary spirit that had animated his countrymen spirit that had animated his countrymen spirit that had animated his countrymen two years before to his own two years before to his own two years before to his own Advantage but sabinianus tried to Simply Advantage but sabinianus tried to Simply Advantage but sabinianus tried to Simply declare revolution rather than riding declare revolution rather than riding declare revolution rather than riding some pre-existing momentum and his some pre-existing momentum and his some pre-existing momentum and his Revolt quickly petered Revolt quickly petered Revolt quickly petered out though gordian's regime was never in out though gordian's regime was never in out though gordian's regime was never in any danger it was a reminder to those any danger it was a reminder to those any danger it was a reminder to those closest to the young emperor that closest to the young emperor that closest to the young emperor that another Rebellion could break out at any another Rebellion could break out at any another Rebellion could break out at any time but rather than being led by some time but rather than being led by some time but rather than being led by some nut with delusions of grandeur it could nut with delusions of grandeur it could nut with delusions of grandeur it could be led by some provincial General whose be led by some provincial General whose be led by some provincial General whose delusions of grandeur were not delusions delusions of grandeur were not delusions delusions of grandeur were not delusions at all or it could be led by a petorian at all or it could be led by a petorian at all or it could be led by a petorian prefect it's not like these things prefect it's not like these things prefect it's not like these things haven't happened haven't happened haven't happened before so gordiana and her Associates before so gordiana and her Associates before so gordiana and her Associates looked around for a way to marry the looked around for a way to marry the looked around for a way to marry the disparate factions of the empire disparate factions of the empire disparate factions of the empire together so that their purposes would be together so that their purposes would be together so that their purposes would be United and they hit upon a brilliant United and they hit upon a brilliant United and they hit upon a brilliant solution a literal marriage to bring

solution a literal marriage to bring solution a literal marriage to bring them all together in 241 gordian appointed a new petorian in 241 gordian appointed a new petorian prefect named Gas Furious sabinus prefect named Gas Furious sabinus prefect named Gas Furious sabinus Aquilla timus and shortly thereafter Aquilla timus and shortly thereafter Aquilla timus and shortly thereafter married his new prefect's daughter married his new prefect's daughter married his new prefect's daughter tranquilina the combined weight of the tranquilina the combined weight of the tranquilina the combined weight of the promotion and the marriage instantly promotion and the marriage instantly promotion and the marriage instantly made Tim ayus the most powerful man in made Tim ayus the most powerful man in made Tim ayus the most powerful man in the Empire and for the rest of his life the Empire and for the rest of his life the Empire and for the rest of his life he would be the deao emperor of Rome he would be the deao emperor of Rome he would be the deao emperor of Rome which was just fine with practically which was just fine with practically which was just fine with practically everyone everyone everyone timotheus had been born around 190 BC timotheus had been born around 190 BC timotheus had been born around 190 BC into an equestrian family and had begun into an equestrian family and had begun into an equestrian family and had begun his public career in Earnest during the his public career in Earnest during the his public career in Earnest during the reign of reign of reign of elois through the emperorship of elois elois through the emperorship of elois elois through the emperorship of elois Alexander seis and maximinus thra timus Alexander seis and maximinus thra timus Alexander seis and maximinus thra timus had served in posts both civilian and had served in posts both civilian and had served in posts both civilian and Military and all across the Empire he Military and all across the Empire he Military and all across the Empire he had established a reputation for being had established a reputation for being had established a reputation for being honest efficient and honest efficient and honest efficient and capable when gordian ascended to the capable when gordian ascended to the capable when gordian ascended to the throne gordiana brought timus into her throne gordiana brought timus into her throne gordiana brought timus into her son's Inner Circle and obviously he son's Inner Circle and obviously he son's Inner Circle and obviously he impressed them enough that they impressed them enough that they impressed them enough that they basically gave him the keys to the basically gave him the keys to the basically gave him the keys to the Empire a few years Empire a few years Empire a few years later the appointment was a master later the appointment was a master later the appointment was a master stroke timus was loyal to the emperor stroke timus was loyal to the emperor stroke timus was loyal to the emperor respected by the Senate and the respected by the Senate and the respected by the Senate and the provincial Legions and most important of provincial Legions and most important of provincial Legions and most important of all served officially as prefect of the all served officially as prefect of the all served officially as prefect of the petorian petorian petorian Guard everyone felt that in timus they

Guard everyone felt that in timus they Guard everyone felt that in timus they could trust could trust could trust trust as an unexpected bonus the trust as an unexpected bonus the trust as an unexpected bonus the marriage between gordian and tranquilina marriage between gordian and tranquilina marriage between gordian and tranquilina proved to be a happy one and as 241 ad proved to be a happy one and as 241 ad proved to be a happy one and as 241 ad came to a close the reign of gordian came to a close the reign of gordian came to a close the reign of gordian theii looked like it was shaping up to theii looked like it was shaping up to theii looked like it was shaping up to be a long and prosperous one but just as the empire was uniting one but just as the empire was uniting internally it was suddenly presented internally it was suddenly presented internally it was suddenly presented with an external threat that would help with an external threat that would help with an external threat that would help undo all the Goodwill that had just undo all the Goodwill that had just undo all the Goodwill that had just begun to begun to begun to coales since the ceasefire with coales since the ceasefire with coales since the ceasefire with Alexander seas in 233 the CED King Alexander seas in 233 the CED King Alexander seas in 233 the CED King artier had mostly pulled back from his artier had mostly pulled back from his artier had mostly pulled back from his Western dominions and focused his Western dominions and focused his Western dominions and focused his attention on solidifying control over attention on solidifying control over attention on solidifying control over the the the East but in the late 230s he renewed his East but in the late 230s he renewed his East but in the late 230s he renewed his ambition to push the Romans back across ambition to push the Romans back across ambition to push the Romans back across the the the helispot but by this point artier was an helispot but by this point artier was an helispot but by this point artier was an old man and he knew that he would not old man and he knew that he would not old man and he knew that he would not live to see his dreams fulfilled so live to see his dreams fulfilled so live to see his dreams fulfilled so around 240 he elevated his 25 old son to around 240 he elevated his 25 old son to around 240 he elevated his 25 old son to serve as serve as serve as co-regent two years later artier would co-regent two years later artier would co-regent two years later artier would be dead and the Ambitions of the cits be dead and the Ambitions of the cits be dead and the Ambitions of the cits would pass fully to sharur who in time would pass fully to sharur who in time would pass fully to sharur who in time would become one of the most notorious would become one of the most notorious would become one of the most notorious of all the enemies of of all the enemies of of all the enemies of Rome he would lead the cins with a Rome he would lead the cins with a Rome he would lead the cins with a martial Vigor that would turn the martial Vigor that would turn the martial Vigor that would turn the eastern empire into a Perpetual war zone eastern empire into a Perpetual war zone eastern empire into a Perpetual war zone and cause the distracted and divided and cause the distracted and divided and cause the distracted and divided Romans to become even more distracted Romans to become even more distracted Romans to become even more distracted and and and divided the the culmination of his war

divided the the culmination of his war divided the the culmination of his war with Rome of course came in 260 when he with Rome of course came in 260 when he with Rome of course came in 260 when he will deal the Romans a humiliating Blow will deal the Romans a humiliating Blow will deal the Romans a humiliating Blow by capturing the emperor Valerian by capturing the emperor Valerian by capturing the emperor Valerian alive but that is for a later alive but that is for a later alive but that is for a later episode in the early 240s the ambition episode in the early 240s the ambition episode in the early 240s the ambition of fatherson still focused on The of fatherson still focused on The of fatherson still focused on The Limited objective of winning back Limited objective of winning back Limited objective of winning back control of control of control of Mesopotamia in 240 and 241 they LED Mesopotamia in 240 and 241 they LED Mesopotamia in 240 and 241 they LED their forces in a series of invasions their forces in a series of invasions their forces in a series of invasions that saw the CIT wind back control of that saw the CIT wind back control of that saw the CIT wind back control of kry nisus and hatra all three of which kry nisus and hatra all three of which kry nisus and hatra all three of which had been lost to the Romans while the had been lost to the Romans while the had been lost to the Romans while the parthians had been distracted by the parthians had been distracted by the parthians had been distracted by the fall of their fall of their fall of their empire from these fortified positions empire from these fortified positions empire from these fortified positions the sanid then began to press across the the sanid then began to press across the the sanid then began to press across the frontier into Syria which caused all frontier into Syria which caused all frontier into Syria which caused all sorts of alarm bells to ring out across sorts of alarm bells to ring out across sorts of alarm bells to ring out across the the the Empire back in Rome the news marked Empire back in Rome the news marked Empire back in Rome the news marked immediate preparations for war and in immediate preparations for war and in immediate preparations for war and in 242 timus marched East to personally 242 timus marched East to personally 242 timus marched East to personally lead the Roman lead the Roman lead the Roman response though the San had enjoyed an response though the San had enjoyed an response though the San had enjoyed an unchecked string of successes their unchecked string of successes their unchecked string of successes their victories were the result more of Roman victories were the result more of Roman victories were the result more of Roman complacency than superiority of complacency than superiority of complacency than superiority of arms when timus arrived in Syria arms when timus arrived in Syria arms when timus arrived in Syria complacent Rome transformed into complacent Rome transformed into complacent Rome transformed into aggressive Rome and I think we all know aggressive Rome and I think we all know aggressive Rome and I think we all know what happens when that what happens when that what happens when that happens at some point in 242 arir died happens at some point in 242 arir died happens at some point in 242 arir died leaving sharur to deal with the Roman leaving sharur to deal with the Roman leaving sharur to deal with the Roman Counterattack by himself it would be an

Counterattack by himself it would be an Counterattack by himself it would be an experience he would not soon forget in 243 timothius LED his army out forget in 243 timothius LED his army out to meet the cids on the plane of Rina to meet the cids on the plane of Rina to meet the cids on the plane of Rina and the professional Legions triumphed and the professional Legions triumphed and the professional Legions triumphed over the amateur CED over the amateur CED over the amateur CED forces kry and nisus were retaken but in forces kry and nisus were retaken but in forces kry and nisus were retaken but in their conquest of hatra the cage had their conquest of hatra the cage had their conquest of hatra the cage had destroyed the city so there was nothing destroyed the city so there was nothing destroyed the city so there was nothing left but Rubble to reclaim left but Rubble to reclaim left but Rubble to reclaim sharur was driven back to lick his sharur was driven back to lick his sharur was driven back to lick his wounds but timus was not planning on wounds but timus was not planning on wounds but timus was not planning on granting the CED King much of a granting the CED King much of a granting the CED King much of a respit the deao emperor of the Roman respit the deao emperor of the Roman respit the deao emperor of the Roman Empire wanted to prove to the sanit once Empire wanted to prove to the sanit once Empire wanted to prove to the sanit once and for all that poking at Rome was just and for all that poking at Rome was just and for all that poking at Rome was just about the dumbest thing they could ever about the dumbest thing they could ever about the dumbest thing they could ever possibly possibly possibly do but ever loyal to gordian he do but ever loyal to gordian he do but ever loyal to gordian he requested the true emperor of Rome come requested the true emperor of Rome come requested the true emperor of Rome come east to oversee the subsequent campaigns east to oversee the subsequent campaigns east to oversee the subsequent campaigns and share in the glory timotheus had and share in the glory timotheus had and share in the glory timotheus had planned for the Empire and by the fall planned for the Empire and by the fall planned for the Empire and by the fall of 243 gordian was situated in Syria of 243 gordian was situated in Syria of 243 gordian was situated in Syria with a front row seat for the coming with a front row seat for the coming with a front row seat for the coming humiliation of the cids but the humiliation would never cids but the humiliation would never come while in Camp plotting out what his come while in Camp plotting out what his come while in Camp plotting out what his next moves would be timus was overcome next moves would be timus was overcome next moves would be timus was overcome by an unknown illness and died shortly by an unknown illness and died shortly by an unknown illness and died shortly thereafter the political balance that thereafter the political balance that thereafter the political balance that had been established when he had been established when he had been established when he simultaneously became petorian prefect simultaneously became petorian prefect simultaneously became petorian prefect and F father-in-law of the Emperor died and F father-in-law of the Emperor died and F father-in-law of the Emperor died with

him without his best adviser to rely on him without his best adviser to rely on gordian decided to pull up short and gordian decided to pull up short and gordian decided to pull up short and declare that driving the cits out of declare that driving the cits out of declare that driving the cits out of Mesopotamia was Victory enough for now Mesopotamia was Victory enough for now Mesopotamia was Victory enough for now in reality he had more pressing concerns in reality he had more pressing concerns in reality he had more pressing concerns like whether he could find someone to like whether he could find someone to like whether he could find someone to serve as petorian prefect who would serve as petorian prefect who would serve as petorian prefect who would prove his capable and as loyal as prove his capable and as loyal as prove his capable and as loyal as timus after some soul searching and more timus after some soul searching and more timus after some soul searching and more than a little behind the scenes nudging than a little behind the scenes nudging than a little behind the scenes nudging 18-year-old gordian finally decided to 18-year-old gordian finally decided to 18-year-old gordian finally decided to appoint Marcus Julius philippus to fill appoint Marcus Julius philippus to fill appoint Marcus Julius philippus to fill the vacant the vacant the vacant prefecture this would prove to be the prefecture this would prove to be the prefecture this would prove to be the worst decision gordian III ever worst decision gordian III ever worst decision gordian III ever made that Philip the Arab would soon be made that Philip the Arab would soon be made that Philip the Arab would soon be emperor of Rome should give you some emperor of Rome should give you some emperor of Rome should give you some indication as to indication as to indication as to why Philip had been born about 50 Mi why Philip had been born about 50 Mi why Philip had been born about 50 Mi south of Damascus in 204 into a south of Damascus in 204 into a south of Damascus in 204 into a prominent family of immigrated Arabs prominent family of immigrated Arabs prominent family of immigrated Arabs hence the Arab part of Philip the Arab hence the Arab part of Philip the Arab hence the Arab part of Philip the Arab and though we know very little about his and though we know very little about his and though we know very little about his early life it later became rumored that early life it later became rumored that early life it later became rumored that he spent his life as something of a he spent his life as something of a he spent his life as something of a brigant it seems unlikely given the brigant it seems unlikely given the brigant it seems unlikely given the status of his family but the story of status of his family but the story of status of his family but the story of his unsavory Beginnings fill out a part his unsavory Beginnings fill out a part his unsavory Beginnings fill out a part of the legend of Philip the Arab and so of the legend of Philip the Arab and so of the legend of Philip the Arab and so I offer it to you with all the relevant I offer it to you with all the relevant I offer it to you with all the relevant qualifiers what is interesting about qualifiers what is interesting about qualifiers what is interesting about philli is that he was not the driving philli is that he was not the driving philli is that he was not the driving force behind his own force behind his own force behind his own Ambitions rather it was his brother guas Ambitions rather it was his brother guas Ambitions rather it was his brother guas Julius priscus who dreamed of Julius priscus who dreamed of Julius priscus who dreamed of Empire after serving in a number of

Empire after serving in a number of Empire after serving in a number of important posts including a second and important posts including a second and important posts including a second and command spot in Egypt gas got himself command spot in Egypt gas got himself command spot in Egypt gas got himself appointed to the petorian guard after appointed to the petorian guard after appointed to the petorian guard after the Ascension of gordian and shortly the Ascension of gordian and shortly the Ascension of gordian and shortly thereafter got his brother a spot in the thereafter got his brother a spot in the thereafter got his brother a spot in the guard as guard as guard as well the charismatic and ambitious gas well the charismatic and ambitious gas well the charismatic and ambitious gas soon won the ear of young gordian and soon won the ear of young gordian and soon won the ear of young gordian and when timothius died died in when timothius died died in when timothius died died in 243 gu pushed to have his brother Philip 243 gu pushed to have his brother Philip 243 gu pushed to have his brother Philip declared prefect in his declared prefect in his declared prefect in his place I haven't seen any particularly place I haven't seen any particularly place I haven't seen any particularly definitive answer as to why gas chose to definitive answer as to why gas chose to definitive answer as to why gas chose to have his brother elevated instead of have his brother elevated instead of have his brother elevated instead of taking the job himself and it may be taking the job himself and it may be taking the job himself and it may be that gas was simply one of those that gas was simply one of those that gas was simply one of those ambitious men who preferred to rule from ambitious men who preferred to rule from ambitious men who preferred to rule from the Shadows rather than wielding power the Shadows rather than wielding power the Shadows rather than wielding power right out in the open where it is most right out in the open where it is most right out in the open where it is most dangerous whatever the reason Philip was dangerous whatever the reason Philip was dangerous whatever the reason Philip was declared prefect and the Arab Brothers declared prefect and the Arab Brothers declared prefect and the Arab Brothers found themselves filling the power found themselves filling the power found themselves filling the power vacuum left by timus whether they were already planning timus whether they were already planning what would come next is another open what would come next is another open what would come next is another open question but what is not an open question but what is not an open question but what is not an open question is that less than a year later question is that less than a year later question is that less than a year later gordian will be dead Philip will be gordian will be dead Philip will be gordian will be dead Philip will be Emperor and gas will become his deao colleague next week we'll deal with the colleague next week we'll deal with the murder of gordian III and the elevation murder of gordian III and the elevation murder of gordian III and the elevation of Philip the Arab to the of Philip the Arab to the of Philip the Arab to the throne next week will also Mark a pretty throne next week will also Mark a pretty throne next week will also Mark a pretty heavy milestone in the history of Rome heavy milestone in the history of Rome heavy milestone in the history of Rome because 4 years after his Ascension because 4 years after his Ascension because 4 years after his Ascension Philip will find himself ruling Rome on

Philip will find himself ruling Rome on Philip will find himself ruling Rome on the occasion of her 1,000th the occasion of her 1,000th the occasion of her 1,000th birthday founded as we all know in 753 birthday founded as we all know in 753 birthday founded as we all know in 753 BC the year 248 ad marked year 1,000 on BC the year 248 ad marked year 1,000 on BC the year 248 ad marked year 1,000 on the Roman Calendar and to celebrate the Roman Calendar and to celebrate the Roman Calendar and to celebrate Philip would throw a party that would go Philip would throw a party that would go Philip would throw a party that would go down as one of the greatest the empire down as one of the greatest the empire down as one of the greatest the empire had ever seen had ever seen had ever seen [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 109 the New Millennium in 243 ad 18-year-old gordian Millennium in 243 ad 18-year-old gordian III lost the man who had helped make the III lost the man who had helped make the III lost the man who had helped make the first few years of his reign of first few years of his reign of first few years of his reign of success with timus in place the Empire success with timus in place the Empire success with timus in place the Empire had enjoyed the fruits of a capable had enjoyed the fruits of a capable had enjoyed the fruits of a capable administrator without having to ingest administrator without having to ingest administrator without having to ingest The Poisoned seeds that often accompany The Poisoned seeds that often accompany The Poisoned seeds that often accompany those fruits when they're provided by those fruits when they're provided by those fruits when they're provided by too powerful and too powerful and too powerful and underling had gordian's father-in-law underling had gordian's father-in-law underling had gordian's father-in-law and petorian prefect lived there might and petorian prefect lived there might and petorian prefect lived there might have been conflict down the road as have been conflict down the road as have been conflict down the road as gordian came of age but we need not gordian came of age but we need not gordian came of age but we need not trouble ourselves with that question trouble ourselves with that question trouble ourselves with that question because that's not how it

because that's not how it because that's not how it went how it went was that things were went how it went was that things were went how it went was that things were going great for gordian until timothius going great for gordian until timothius going great for gordian until timothius died and then everything went to hell there are a couple of different hell there are a couple of different versions about what happened between 243 versions about what happened between 243 versions about what happened between 243 and 244 that led to Philip the ER and 244 that led to Philip the ER and 244 that led to Philip the ER becoming Emperor but the basic facts are becoming Emperor but the basic facts are becoming Emperor but the basic facts are these timothius died Philip was these timothius died Philip was these timothius died Philip was appointed petorian prefect then gordian appointed petorian prefect then gordian appointed petorian prefect then gordian died and Philip became died and Philip became died and Philip became emperor other than that the record is emperor other than that the record is emperor other than that the record is contradictory but the different stories contradictory but the different stories contradictory but the different stories used to explain these basic facts break used to explain these basic facts break used to explain these basic facts break down into roughly three categories one down into roughly three categories one down into roughly three categories one Philip was completely innocent in Philip was completely innocent in Philip was completely innocent in everything that happened two Philip everything that happened two Philip everything that happened two Philip started out Innocent but wound up guilty started out Innocent but wound up guilty started out Innocent but wound up guilty and three that Philip was guilty right and three that Philip was guilty right and three that Philip was guilty right on down the on down the on down the line to take the last first The Story line to take the last first The Story line to take the last first The Story Goes that Philip and his brother gas Goes that Philip and his brother gas Goes that Philip and his brother gas conspired to kill timus that is the conspired to kill timus that is the conspired to kill timus that is the mysterious illness that killed gordian's mysterious illness that killed gordian's mysterious illness that killed gordian's father-in-law was actually poison then father-in-law was actually poison then father-in-law was actually poison then once Philip was prefect the brothers once Philip was prefect the brothers once Philip was prefect the brothers conspired to kill gordian and have the conspired to kill gordian and have the conspired to kill gordian and have the guard elect Philip Emperor call that guard elect Philip Emperor call that guard elect Philip Emperor call that version Philip the arch version Philip the arch version Philip the arch Machiavellian version two is that timus Machiavellian version two is that timus Machiavellian version two is that timus died of natural natural causes and it died of natural natural causes and it died of natural natural causes and it was only after Philip became prefect was only after Philip became prefect was only after Philip became prefect that he and his brother decided to make that he and his brother decided to make that he and his brother decided to make a play for the Empire by killing gordian a play for the Empire by killing gordian a play for the Empire by killing gordian call that version Philip the call that version Philip the call that version Philip the opportunist the last version is that opportunist the last version is that opportunist the last version is that Philip had nothing to do with either

Philip had nothing to do with either Philip had nothing to do with either death and was as surprised as anyone to death and was as surprised as anyone to death and was as surprised as anyone to find the petorian elevating him to the find the petorian elevating him to the find the petorian elevating him to the purple call that version gordian the purple call that version gordian the purple call that version gordian the lucky the Romans themselves clearly lucky the Romans themselves clearly lucky the Romans themselves clearly believed some combination of Philip the believed some combination of Philip the believed some combination of Philip the opportunist and Philip the arch mellian opportunist and Philip the arch mellian opportunist and Philip the arch mellian and the characterization of Philip as a and the characterization of Philip as a and the characterization of Philip as a complete innocent likely wouldn't exist complete innocent likely wouldn't exist complete innocent likely wouldn't exist were it not for the Curious Case of the were it not for the Curious Case of the were it not for the Curious Case of the missing missing missing battle in early 244 ad Persian histories battle in early 244 ad Persian histories battle in early 244 ad Persian histories describe a battle taking place in describe a battle taking place in describe a battle taking place in Mesopotamia between the Romans and the Mesopotamia between the Romans and the Mesopotamia between the Romans and the cits that is almost nowhere described in cits that is almost nowhere described in cits that is almost nowhere described in the Latin the Latin the Latin record the persan version has it that record the persan version has it that record the persan version has it that sharor led an attack against the legions sharor led an attack against the legions sharor led an attack against the legions and that not only were the legions and that not only were the legions and that not only were the legions defeated but that gordian himself fell defeated but that gordian himself fell defeated but that gordian himself fell in in in battle it is easy to dismiss this battle it is easy to dismiss this battle it is easy to dismiss this version as being propaganda invented by version as being propaganda invented by version as being propaganda invented by sharor to embellish his own record but sharor to embellish his own record but sharor to embellish his own record but it is not exactly out of the question it is not exactly out of the question it is not exactly out of the question that the Romans would try to bury the that the Romans would try to bury the that the Romans would try to bury the truth that the legions had been beaten truth that the legions had been beaten truth that the legions had been beaten and gordian had been killed in battle and gordian had been killed in battle and gordian had been killed in battle for propaganda reasons of their for propaganda reasons of their for propaganda reasons of their own I'm not going to pretend like I can own I'm not going to pretend like I can own I'm not going to pretend like I can settle this issue myself and officially settle this issue myself and officially settle this issue myself and officially the cause of gordian's death remains the cause of gordian's death remains the cause of gordian's death remains unknown to this day but as I said the unknown to this day but as I said the unknown to this day but as I said the Romans themselves certainly believe that Romans themselves certainly believe that Romans themselves certainly believe that Philip assassinated the young Emperor Philip assassinated the young Emperor Philip assassinated the young Emperor and I'm going to stick with that and I'm going to stick with that and I'm going to stick with that interpretation besides there is a very interpretation besides there is a very interpretation besides there is a very low likelihood that covered up defeat or low likelihood that covered up defeat or low likelihood that covered up defeat or no gordian would have been anywhere near no gordian would have been anywhere near no gordian would have been anywhere near a battlefield at that point in his

career so the generally accepted version career so the generally accepted version among the Romans is that after the war among the Romans is that after the war among the Romans is that after the war with the sanit was shut down following with the sanit was shut down following with the sanit was shut down following the death of timus that Philip the death of timus that Philip the death of timus that Philip assassinated gordian while the Imperial assassinated gordian while the Imperial assassinated gordian while the Imperial Court was traveling around near the Court was traveling around near the Court was traveling around near the Euphrates Euphrates Euphrates river with the emperor dead no one else river with the emperor dead no one else river with the emperor dead no one else ready to make an immediate bid for the ready to make an immediate bid for the ready to make an immediate bid for the throne and Philip right there on the throne and Philip right there on the throne and Philip right there on the scene the petorian guard followed the scene the petorian guard followed the scene the petorian guard followed the precedent set by mccc's men and elevated precedent set by mccc's men and elevated precedent set by mccc's men and elevated their prefect to the top spot in the their prefect to the top spot in the their prefect to the top spot in the Empire word quickly spread and before Empire word quickly spread and before Empire word quickly spread and before anyone could do anything about it Rome anyone could do anything about it Rome anyone could do anything about it Rome had its second emperor of equestrian had its second emperor of equestrian had its second emperor of equestrian rank the lack of a good credible record rank the lack of a good credible record rank the lack of a good credible record makes it hard to figure exact the order makes it hard to figure exact the order makes it hard to figure exact the order of events and doesn't do much to explain of events and doesn't do much to explain of events and doesn't do much to explain how exactly gordian died or why there how exactly gordian died or why there how exactly gordian died or why there was so little initial resistance to was so little initial resistance to was so little initial resistance to Philip's Ascension so at the end of the Philip's Ascension so at the end of the Philip's Ascension so at the end of the day we have to Simply accept the fact day we have to Simply accept the fact day we have to Simply accept the fact that gordian died and Philip became that gordian died and Philip became that gordian died and Philip became emperor and that he then reigned for 5 emperor and that he then reigned for 5 emperor and that he then reigned for 5 years we at least know that much like his equestrian predecessor much like his equestrian predecessor mcris Philip was worried about having to mcris Philip was worried about having to mcris Philip was worried about having to deal with a war in the East right at the deal with a war in the East right at the deal with a war in the East right at the outset of his reign and so shortly after outset of his reign and so shortly after outset of his reign and so shortly after becoming Emperor he brokered a more becoming Emperor he brokered a more becoming Emperor he brokered a more permanent ceasefire with the permanent ceasefire with the permanent ceasefire with the sanit while sharur had been beaten sanit while sharur had been beaten sanit while sharur had been beaten soundly by timus Philip was wary of soundly by timus Philip was wary of soundly by timus Philip was wary of pressing the Roman case beyond the pressing the Roman case beyond the pressing the Roman case beyond the Euphrates especially since he needed to Euphrates especially since he needed to Euphrates especially since he needed to Head West and consolidate his hold on Head West and consolidate his hold on Head West and consolidate his hold on Power Plus there is that missing battle Power Plus there is that missing battle Power Plus there is that missing battle out there that may or may not have been

out there that may or may not have been out there that may or may not have been enough to convince the Roman High enough to convince the Roman High enough to convince the Roman High command to sue for command to sue for command to sue for peace Philip sent ambassadors to the peace Philip sent ambassadors to the peace Philip sent ambassadors to the court of sharp in 244 and once again the court of sharp in 244 and once again the court of sharp in 244 and once again the Romans agreed to purchase a piece that Romans agreed to purchase a piece that Romans agreed to purchase a piece that they had no interest in fighting they had no interest in fighting they had no interest in fighting for sharor accepted the terms either for sharor accepted the terms either for sharor accepted the terms either grateful for having been let off so grateful for having been let off so grateful for having been let off so easily or satisfied that the Romans were easily or satisfied that the Romans were easily or satisfied that the Romans were admitting a Justified defeat and for a admitting a Justified defeat and for a admitting a Justified defeat and for a while the Eastern Front went quiet Philip left his brother gas in quiet Philip left his brother gas in Syria and granted all the authority a Syria and granted all the authority a Syria and granted all the authority a co-emperor might expect gas then enjoyed co-emperor might expect gas then enjoyed co-emperor might expect gas then enjoyed a 5-year run as the questioned ruler of a 5-year run as the questioned ruler of a 5-year run as the questioned ruler of the Eastern Empire while his brother the Eastern Empire while his brother the Eastern Empire while his brother took over the took over the took over the West Philip was probably back in Rome at West Philip was probably back in Rome at West Philip was probably back in Rome at the end of 244 or the beginning of the end of 244 or the beginning of the end of 244 or the beginning of 245 and once he arrived the Senate 245 and once he arrived the Senate 245 and once he arrived the Senate granted him the title Augustus and named granted him the title Augustus and named granted him the title Augustus and named his son Caesar two declarations I'm sure his son Caesar two declarations I'm sure his son Caesar two declarations I'm sure that came only after suitable promises that came only after suitable promises that came only after suitable promises from Philip that he meant them no harm from Philip that he meant them no harm from Philip that he meant them no harm and suitable threats from the petorian and suitable threats from the petorian and suitable threats from the petorian guard that maybe he guard that maybe he guard that maybe he did at roughly this same time the Senate did at roughly this same time the Senate did at roughly this same time the Senate asserted just a little bit of asserted just a little bit of asserted just a little bit of independence by pushing through the independence by pushing through the independence by pushing through the deification of gordian III Over Philip's deification of gordian III Over Philip's deification of gordian III Over Philip's objections objections that arose most objections objections that arose most objections objections that arose most suspected from Philip's guilt over how suspected from Philip's guilt over how suspected from Philip's guilt over how he had murdered the boy Philip's short Reign would prove to boy Philip's short Reign would prove to be a microcosm of The Wider crisis be a microcosm of The Wider crisis be a microcosm of The Wider crisis period within which it was period within which it was period within which it was set his years in power were defined by

set his years in power were defined by set his years in power were defined by internal rebellion and external Invasion internal rebellion and external Invasion internal rebellion and external Invasion and were it not for the fact that he and were it not for the fact that he and were it not for the fact that he oversaw Rome's 1 thth birthday oversaw Rome's 1 thth birthday oversaw Rome's 1 thth birthday celebration which we'll get to in a celebration which we'll get to in a celebration which we'll get to in a moment his Imperial career would like moment his Imperial career would like moment his Imperial career would like any sort of truly memorable moment at any sort of truly memorable moment at any sort of truly memorable moment at all this does however afford US a nice all this does however afford US a nice all this does however afford US a nice opportunity to turn our attention to one opportunity to turn our attention to one opportunity to turn our attention to one of those external menaces that would of those external menaces that would of those external menaces that would help make the crisis of the 3D Century help make the crisis of the 3D Century help make the crisis of the 3D Century the truly existential emergency that it the truly existential emergency that it the truly existential emergency that it was I am speaking of course of the Goths there's a lot of confusion out Goths there's a lot of confusion out there about who exactly the Goths were there about who exactly the Goths were there about who exactly the Goths were when they appeared how they appeared and when they appeared how they appeared and when they appeared how they appeared and who or what a goth actually was so I who or what a goth actually was so I who or what a goth actually was so I think it would be a good idea to try to think it would be a good idea to try to think it would be a good idea to try to pick apart a few of the theories about pick apart a few of the theories about pick apart a few of the theories about their Origins so we can have as clear an their Origins so we can have as clear an their Origins so we can have as clear an understanding about this Great Northern understanding about this Great Northern understanding about this Great Northern menace to the Empire as we possibly menace to the Empire as we possibly menace to the Empire as we possibly can in time the Goths would split into can in time the Goths would split into can in time the Goths would split into two main branches the Visigoths and the two main branches the Visigoths and the two main branches the Visigoths and the ostrogoths the former being the ones who ostrogoths the former being the ones who ostrogoths the former being the ones who first sacked Roman 410 AD the latter first sacked Roman 410 AD the latter first sacked Roman 410 AD the latter being the ones who set up a successor being the ones who set up a successor being the ones who set up a successor Kingdom in Italy following the fall of Kingdom in Italy following the fall of Kingdom in Italy following the fall of the Western the Western the Western Empire but right now they were still Empire but right now they were still Empire but right now they were still more or less a single unified people the Goths first show up in the people the Goths first show up in the Roman record around 238 ad just as the Roman record around 238 ad just as the Roman record around 238 ad just as the empire was dealing with its year of the empire was dealing with its year of the empire was dealing with its year of the six six six Emperors while the Romans were occupied Emperors while the Romans were occupied Emperors while the Romans were occupied with their Civil War this new Barbarian

with their Civil War this new Barbarian with their Civil War this new Barbarian horde scorched down from the Ukraine horde scorched down from the Ukraine horde scorched down from the Ukraine right past the danu and attack the city right past the danu and attack the city right past the danu and attack the city of histria which was situated on the of histria which was situated on the of histria which was situated on the banks of the Black banks of the Black banks of the Black Sea the size and the force of this Sea the size and the force of this Sea the size and the force of this invasion was so shocking that the invasion was so shocking that the invasion was so shocking that the provincial Legions barely had time to provincial Legions barely had time to provincial Legions barely had time to react before the Goths had come and react before the Goths had come and react before the Goths had come and gone for years the Assumption had been gone for years the Assumption had been gone for years the Assumption had been occasional raids aside that the tribes occasional raids aside that the tribes occasional raids aside that the tribes beyond the danu were no match for the beyond the danu were no match for the beyond the danu were no match for the legions and so focused on the domestic legions and so focused on the domestic legions and so focused on the domestic situation the Roman soldiers were simply situation the Roman soldiers were simply situation the Roman soldiers were simply not prepared to deal with the kind of not prepared to deal with the kind of not prepared to deal with the kind of aggressive threat the Goths posed aggressive threat the Goths posed aggressive threat the Goths posed but now they were all on but now they were all on but now they were all on notice there are two main competing notice there are two main competing notice there are two main competing theories about where the Goths came from theories about where the Goths came from theories about where the Goths came from the first the states that they the first the states that they the first the states that they originated in Sweden were pushed across originated in Sweden were pushed across originated in Sweden were pushed across the Baltic by a shifting climate the Baltic by a shifting climate the Baltic by a shifting climate sometime between 400 BC and 180 and then sometime between 400 BC and 180 and then sometime between 400 BC and 180 and then slowly migrated South until by the 20080 slowly migrated South until by the 20080 slowly migrated South until by the 20080 they were firmly situated in the modern they were firmly situated in the modern they were firmly situated in the modern Ukraine the other theory is that the Ukraine the other theory is that the Ukraine the other theory is that the Goths actually originated in the Ukraine Goths actually originated in the Ukraine Goths actually originated in the Ukraine and that like the Franks became a and that like the Franks became a and that like the Franks became a military Powerhouse when local tribes military Powerhouse when local tribes military Powerhouse when local tribes combined into a super Confederation combined into a super Confederation combined into a super Confederation whose wide Banner eventually supplanted whose wide Banner eventually supplanted whose wide Banner eventually supplanted their old tribal their old tribal their old tribal identities wherever they actually came identities wherever they actually came identities wherever they actually came from by 238 ad they were standing on from by 238 ad they were standing on from by 238 ad they were standing on Rome's doorstep and more than ready to Rome's doorstep and more than ready to Rome's doorstep and more than ready to come banging through the come banging through the come banging through the door there was a rumor going around you door there was a rumor going around you door there was a rumor going around you see that the Roman Empire was a paper

see that the Roman Empire was a paper see that the Roman Empire was a paper tiger that it was rich Beyond tiger that it was rich Beyond tiger that it was rich Beyond imagination and protected only by a imagination and protected only by a imagination and protected only by a reputation they had stopped deserving a reputation they had stopped deserving a reputation they had stopped deserving a long time long time long time ago in just a few years the Goths would ago in just a few years the Goths would ago in just a few years the Goths would come to believe beyond a shadow of a come to believe beyond a shadow of a come to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Rome was in fact theirs for doubt that Rome was in fact theirs for doubt that Rome was in fact theirs for the taking when they utterly routed a the taking when they utterly routed a the taking when they utterly routed a Roman army LED personally by the Emperor Roman army LED personally by the Emperor Roman army LED personally by the Emperor dius who would die in the dius who would die in the dius who would die in the fighting but that's for next week this fighting but that's for next week this fighting but that's for next week this week we will simply note the opening week we will simply note the opening week we will simply note the opening foray of the Goths into moesia and daia foray of the Goths into moesia and daia foray of the Goths into moesia and daia both of which dealt with persistent both of which dealt with persistent both of which dealt with persistent raids after the Goths discovered how raids after the Goths discovered how raids after the Goths discovered how easy it was to March around the Roman easy it was to March around the Roman easy it was to March around the Roman border border border provinces daia especially stuck out like provinces daia especially stuck out like provinces daia especially stuck out like a sore thumb not particularly well a sore thumb not particularly well a sore thumb not particularly well settled or well garrisoned daia was an settled or well garrisoned daia was an settled or well garrisoned daia was an easy target for the easy target for the easy target for the Goths the Romans knew how difficult The Goths the Romans knew how difficult The Goths the Romans knew how difficult The Province was to defend going all the way Province was to defend going all the way Province was to defend going all the way back to hrin who tried to abandon it back to hrin who tried to abandon it back to hrin who tried to abandon it following Tran's death but political following Tran's death but political following Tran's death but political pressure and the Glorious memories of pressure and the Glorious memories of pressure and the Glorious memories of Tran's campaign had kept the region on Tran's campaign had kept the region on Tran's campaign had kept the region on the far side of the danu within the the far side of the danu within the the far side of the danu within the Empire but it would not survive the Empire but it would not survive the Empire but it would not survive the crisis of the 3rd Century in the midst crisis of the 3rd Century in the midst crisis of the 3rd Century in the midst of a relian campaign to rebuild the of a relian campaign to rebuild the of a relian campaign to rebuild the shattered Empire daia would become a shattered Empire daia would become a shattered Empire daia would become a strategic strategic strategic casualty by that point 270 ad everyone casualty by that point 270 ad everyone casualty by that point 270 ad everyone recognized that the province had become recognized that the province had become recognized that the province had become little more than an unlocked back door little more than an unlocked back door little more than an unlocked back door into the Empire and its continued into the Empire and its continued into the Empire and its continued incorporation as a province was far too incorporation as a province was far too incorporation as a province was far too dangerous to allow a little pride in

dangerous to allow a little pride in dangerous to allow a little pride in past glories to get in the way while Philip kept one wary eye on the while Philip kept one wary eye on the Goths he had to keep another on the Goths he had to keep another on the Goths he had to keep another on the internal revolts they kept springing up internal revolts they kept springing up internal revolts they kept springing up across the Empire during his 5 years in across the Empire during his 5 years in across the Empire during his 5 years in office there are reports of at least office there are reports of at least office there are reports of at least four separate instances of provincials four separate instances of provincials four separate instances of provincials citizens or soldiers attempting to citizens or soldiers attempting to citizens or soldiers attempting to overthrow Philip and gas in the East gas overthrow Philip and gas in the East gas overthrow Philip and gas in the East gas especially provoked revolutionary IR especially provoked revolutionary IR especially provoked revolutionary IR with his heavy-handed with his heavy-handed with his heavy-handed governance tax collection was harsh and governance tax collection was harsh and governance tax collection was harsh and at least two of the revols of the late at least two of the revols of the late at least two of the revols of the late 240s occurred in the East and were 240s occurred in the East and were 240s occurred in the East and were directed at directed at directed at gas some evidence even suggests that the gas some evidence even suggests that the gas some evidence even suggests that the last of these actually wound up claiming last of these actually wound up claiming last of these actually wound up claiming gas's life but as with gordian theii the gas's life but as with gordian theii the gas's life but as with gordian theii the actual circumstances of gas Julius actual circumstances of gas Julius actual circumstances of gas Julius priscus is death remain unknown after four years of uneasy rule unknown after four years of uneasy rule everything finally came to ahead in 248 everything finally came to ahead in 248 everything finally came to ahead in 248 ad that year a simultaneously delivered ad that year a simultaneously delivered ad that year a simultaneously delivered both the high point of of Philip's Reign both the high point of of Philip's Reign both the high point of of Philip's Reign and the beginning of the Revolt that and the beginning of the Revolt that and the beginning of the Revolt that would eventually lead to his would eventually lead to his would eventually lead to his downfall the high point came in April a downfall the high point came in April a downfall the high point came in April a month which the Romans had long had month which the Romans had long had month which the Romans had long had circled on their calendars as it was circled on their calendars as it was circled on their calendars as it was believed to Mark the 1,000th anniversary believed to Mark the 1,000th anniversary believed to Mark the 1,000th anniversary of romulus's founding of of romulus's founding of of romulus's founding of Rome the citizens of the capital Rome the citizens of the capital Rome the citizens of the capital expected a party and Philip happily expected a party and Philip happily expected a party and Philip happily delivered a magnificent set of secular delivered a magnificent set of secular delivered a magnificent set of secular games to

celebrate now to our modern years the celebrate now to our modern years the name might seem to suggest that the name might seem to suggest that the name might seem to suggest that the secular games were a set of games that secular games were a set of games that secular games were a set of games that had no religious overtones but that's had no religious overtones but that's had no religious overtones but that's really just an ironic Coincidence of really just an ironic Coincidence of really just an ironic Coincidence of naming as the secular games were like naming as the secular games were like naming as the secular games were like everything the Romans did a highly everything the Romans did a highly everything the Romans did a highly religious religious religious Affair the secular games get their name Affair the secular games get their name Affair the secular games get their name from the Roman concept of culum which from the Roman concept of culum which from the Roman concept of culum which represented the absolute upper bounds of represented the absolute upper bounds of represented the absolute upper bounds of a potential human life when a pulum a potential human life when a pulum a potential human life when a pulum cycle ended which the Romans calculated cycle ended which the Romans calculated cycle ended which the Romans calculated to last 100 to 110 years the reasonable to last 100 to 110 years the reasonable to last 100 to 110 years the reasonable belief was that there would have been a belief was that there would have been a belief was that there would have been a complete turnover in the living complete turnover in the living complete turnover in the living population in the population in the population in the meantime that is whatever arbitrary day meantime that is whatever arbitrary day meantime that is whatever arbitrary day you pick to start the cycle when you go you pick to start the cycle when you go you pick to start the cycle when you go 110 years in the future everyone who had 110 years in the future everyone who had 110 years in the future everyone who had been alive at the beginning from the been alive at the beginning from the been alive at the beginning from the oldest man to the youngest baby would be oldest man to the youngest baby would be oldest man to the youngest baby would be dead the secular games thus held a dead the secular games thus held a dead the secular games thus held a particular Fascination for the Romans as particular Fascination for the Romans as particular Fascination for the Romans as they represented a set of Ceremonies and they represented a set of Ceremonies and they represented a set of Ceremonies and celebrations that the theoretically at celebrations that the theoretically at celebrations that the theoretically at least no one had ever seen before or least no one had ever seen before or least no one had ever seen before or would ever see again the origin myth of the games again the origin myth of the games reached back into the Misty Days of the reached back into the Misty Days of the reached back into the Misty Days of the early Kingdom when a Sabine man trying early Kingdom when a Sabine man trying early Kingdom when a Sabine man trying to save his sick children was commanded to save his sick children was commanded to save his sick children was commanded to conduct nocturnal sacrifices to the to conduct nocturnal sacrifices to the to conduct nocturnal sacrifices to the Celtic God deper and the Greek god pany Celtic God deper and the Greek god pany Celtic God deper and the Greek god pany both of whom were strongly associated both of whom were strongly associated both of whom were strongly associated with the with the with the underworld over the course of 3 days he underworld over the course of 3 days he underworld over the course of 3 days he conducted the necessary ceremonies on conducted the necessary ceremonies on conducted the necessary ceremonies on the campus Marcus his children lived and

the campus Marcus his children lived and the campus Marcus his children lived and he was then left with instructions that he was then left with instructions that he was then left with instructions that the ceremony should be repeated once per the ceremony should be repeated once per the ceremony should be repeated once per pulum from that day pulum from that day pulum from that day forward how closely the Romans held to forward how closely the Romans held to forward how closely the Romans held to this injunction is unknown but when the this injunction is unknown but when the this injunction is unknown but when the high Priests of Rome consulted the cine high Priests of Rome consulted the cine high Priests of Rome consulted the cine books in 249 while the first Punic War books in 249 while the first Punic War books in 249 while the first Punic War was raging they were told that the was raging they were told that the was raging they were told that the prescription for what ailed them was to prescription for what ailed them was to prescription for what ailed them was to renew the secular renew the secular renew the secular sacrifices this set was dutifully sacrifices this set was dutifully sacrifices this set was dutifully followed up in the 140s ad but then then followed up in the 140s ad but then then followed up in the 140s ad but then then when the cycle next came around Rome was when the cycle next came around Rome was when the cycle next came around Rome was too caught up in the fall of the too caught up in the fall of the too caught up in the fall of the Republic to Republic to Republic to remember after Augustus became emperor remember after Augustus became emperor remember after Augustus became emperor though he decided he wanted to throw though he decided he wanted to throw though he decided he wanted to throw games better than anyone had ever seen games better than anyone had ever seen games better than anyone had ever seen before or would ever see again and got before or would ever see again and got before or would ever see again and got the idea to revive the secular games in the idea to revive the secular games in the idea to revive the secular games in 17 BC he revamped the ceremonies 17 BC he revamped the ceremonies 17 BC he revamped the ceremonies instructed the priests to sacrifice to instructed the priests to sacrifice to instructed the priests to sacrifice to proper Roman gods and introduce daytime proper Roman gods and introduce daytime proper Roman gods and introduce daytime sacrifices to accompany the traditional sacrifices to accompany the traditional sacrifices to accompany the traditional nighttime ceremonies nighttime ceremonies nighttime ceremonies he also introduced the games the he also introduced the games the he also introduced the games the Banquets and theatrical performances Banquets and theatrical performances Banquets and theatrical performances that came to be most closely associated that came to be most closely associated that came to be most closely associated with the with the with the event Augustus was not Reviving an event Augustus was not Reviving an event Augustus was not Reviving an ancient tradition just to mumble some ancient tradition just to mumble some ancient tradition just to mumble some words at midnight he wanted to throw the words at midnight he wanted to throw the words at midnight he wanted to throw the biggest party of anyone's lifetime after the secular games of lifetime after the secular games of Augustus though the theoretical Augustus though the theoretical Augustus though the theoretical underpinnings of the ceremony took a hit underpinnings of the ceremony took a hit underpinnings of the ceremony took a hit when Claudius decided to throw his own when Claudius decided to throw his own when Claudius decided to throw his own set in 47 ad set in 47 ad set in 47 ad he had good reason to throw his games he had good reason to throw his games he had good reason to throw his games early but suetonius notes that Claudius

early but suetonius notes that Claudius early but suetonius notes that Claudius was much mocked for announcing was much mocked for announcing was much mocked for announcing festivities that none had seen before festivities that none had seen before festivities that none had seen before and none would see again when plenty of and none would see again when plenty of and none would see again when plenty of people had been around when Augustus had people had been around when Augustus had people had been around when Augustus had said the same said the same said the same thing the good reason for claudius's thing the good reason for claudius's thing the good reason for claudius's secular games though was to celebrate secular games though was to celebrate secular games though was to celebrate the revolution of a different 100-year the revolution of a different 100-year the revolution of a different 100-year cycle as 47 ad marked the 800th cycle as 47 ad marked the 800th cycle as 47 ad marked the 800th anniversary of the founding of Rome and anniversary of the founding of Rome and anniversary of the founding of Rome and Claudius didn't want the birthday to Claudius didn't want the birthday to Claudius didn't want the birthday to pass pass pass unnoticed from that point on there were unnoticed from that point on there were unnoticed from that point on there were two cycles of secular games basically two cycles of secular games basically two cycles of secular games basically negating the whole not before not ever negating the whole not before not ever negating the whole not before not ever again Mystique but the various Emperors again Mystique but the various Emperors again Mystique but the various Emperors were not going to let an opportunity to were not going to let an opportunity to were not going to let an opportunity to associate their name with this most rare associate their name with this most rare associate their name with this most rare of Ceremonies pass so one cycle followed of Ceremonies pass so one cycle followed of Ceremonies pass so one cycle followed Augustus and led to games thrown by Augustus and led to games thrown by Augustus and led to games thrown by demission in 88 and Septimus searis in demission in 88 and Septimus searis in demission in 88 and Septimus searis in 204 and another cycle following Claudius 204 and another cycle following Claudius 204 and another cycle following Claudius and the birthdays of Rome which led to and the birthdays of Rome which led to and the birthdays of Rome which led to games thrown in 148 by antoninus Pas and games thrown in 148 by antoninus Pas and games thrown in 148 by antoninus Pas and this last set thrown by Philip the Arab this last set thrown by Philip the Arab this last set thrown by Philip the Arab in in in 248 the next time either cycle came 248 the next time either cycle came 248 the next time either cycle came around though the empire was already around though the empire was already around though the empire was already undergoing Constantine's push to undergoing Constantine's push to undergoing Constantine's push to christianize and like a dozen other christianize and like a dozen other christianize and like a dozen other Pagan celebrations the secular games Pagan celebrations the secular games Pagan celebrations the secular games were were were neglected so when Philip announced his neglected so when Philip announced his neglected so when Philip announced his games and said that no one would ever games and said that no one would ever games and said that no one would ever see their like again he at least was see their like again he at least was see their like again he at least was telling the truth Philips games included the usual truth Philips games included the usual sacrifices accompanied by Citywide sacrifices accompanied by Citywide sacrifices accompanied by Citywide theatrical performances and gladiatorial

theatrical performances and gladiatorial theatrical performances and gladiatorial contests that saw a thousand men and God contests that saw a thousand men and God contests that saw a thousand men and God knows how many thousands of exotic knows how many thousands of exotic knows how many thousands of exotic animals killing and being killed for the animals killing and being killed for the animals killing and being killed for the crowd's crowd's crowd's amusement when it was all over everyone amusement when it was all over everyone amusement when it was all over everyone agreed that the event had lived up to agreed that the event had lived up to agreed that the event had lived up to its billing no one had ever seen its billing no one had ever seen its billing no one had ever seen anything like it before and they could anything like it before and they could anything like it before and they could expect to never see anything like it expect to never see anything like it expect to never see anything like it again Philip was the toast of Rome but Philip was not the toast of the but Philip was not the toast of the province of province of province of moesia the troops along the lower danu moesia the troops along the lower danu moesia the troops along the lower danu had dealt with the brunt of the initial had dealt with the brunt of the initial had dealt with the brunt of the initial Gothic invasions and so far they had not Gothic invasions and so far they had not Gothic invasions and so far they had not had much success against this new had much success against this new had much success against this new Barbarian Barbarian Barbarian Menace it appears that in response the Menace it appears that in response the Menace it appears that in response the regular soldiers of the legions were regular soldiers of the legions were regular soldiers of the legions were clamoring to take the fight across the clamoring to take the fight across the clamoring to take the fight across the danu and into the territory of the danu and into the territory of the danu and into the territory of the Goths The Invasion would offer the men a Goths The Invasion would offer the men a Goths The Invasion would offer the men a chance to exact some revenge for their chance to exact some revenge for their chance to exact some revenge for their lost honor but perhaps more important lost honor but perhaps more important lost honor but perhaps more important importantly it would give them a chance importantly it would give them a chance importantly it would give them a chance to plunder a hair to for unknown source to plunder a hair to for unknown source to plunder a hair to for unknown source of of of wealth the Empire hadn't really had a wealth the Empire hadn't really had a wealth the Empire hadn't really had a good sizable influx of slaves since the good sizable influx of slaves since the good sizable influx of slaves since the marom manic Wars and the thought of marom manic Wars and the thought of marom manic Wars and the thought of selling off 100,000 Goths into slavery selling off 100,000 Goths into slavery selling off 100,000 Goths into slavery was a mighty big incentive to fight was a mighty big incentive to fight was a mighty big incentive to fight another big war in the another big war in the another big war in the North but Philip was content for now to North but Philip was content for now to North but Philip was content for now to keep the legions in their keep the legions in their keep the legions in their camps a Northern war might sound good camps a Northern war might sound good camps a Northern war might sound good when it's pitched by Grunts and two when it's pitched by Grunts and two when it's pitched by Grunts and two grunts but up in the high command they grunts but up in the high command they grunts but up in the high command they understood that the likelihood of understood that the likelihood of understood that the likelihood of success was low and the likelihood of success was low and the likelihood of success was low and the likelihood of doing irreparable damage to the northern doing irreparable damage to the northern doing irreparable damage to the northern defenses was high but that didn't stop

defenses was high but that didn't stop defenses was high but that didn't stop the grunts from talking and in time it the grunts from talking and in time it the grunts from talking and in time it didn't stop them from revolting against didn't stop them from revolting against didn't stop them from revolting against their cowardly leadership in mid 248 while Philip was leadership in mid 248 while Philip was back in Rome celebrating the capital's back in Rome celebrating the capital's back in Rome celebrating the capital's birthday the legion stationed in moesia birthday the legion stationed in moesia birthday the legion stationed in moesia rebelled and declared a man named rebelled and declared a man named rebelled and declared a man named Tiberius Claudius marinus peanus their Tiberius Claudius marinus peanus their Tiberius Claudius marinus peanus their new emperor new emperor new emperor there had been revolts before but this there had been revolts before but this there had been revolts before but this one seemed particularly serious as it one seemed particularly serious as it one seemed particularly serious as it involved the legions of such a critical involved the legions of such a critical involved the legions of such a critical region as Philip and his advisers region as Philip and his advisers region as Philip and his advisers scrambled to come up with a response scrambled to come up with a response scrambled to come up with a response plan though a man took to the floor of plan though a man took to the floor of plan though a man took to the floor of the Senate and declared that there was the Senate and declared that there was the Senate and declared that there was nothing to fear the troops in moesia he nothing to fear the troops in moesia he nothing to fear the troops in moesia he announced would quickly come to regret announced would quickly come to regret announced would quickly come to regret their Hasty rebellion and would probably their Hasty rebellion and would probably their Hasty rebellion and would probably kill their new leader in just a matter kill their new leader in just a matter kill their new leader in just a matter of of of days with Philip thinking he might have days with Philip thinking he might have days with Philip thinking he might have to go so far far as to resign his office to go so far far as to resign his office to go so far far as to resign his office just to restore peace he was naturally just to restore peace he was naturally just to restore peace he was naturally intrigued by the certainty of the old intrigued by the certainty of the old intrigued by the certainty of the old senator's prediction and thought the man senator's prediction and thought the man senator's prediction and thought the man a genius when just a few days later word a genius when just a few days later word a genius when just a few days later word came that the Rebellion had in fact came that the Rebellion had in fact came that the Rebellion had in fact collapsed and peanis was collapsed and peanis was collapsed and peanis was dead this was how gas messus quintis dead this was how gas messus quintis dead this was how gas messus quintis Deus earned the everlasting love and Deus earned the everlasting love and Deus earned the everlasting love and respect of Philip the Arab dius had been born in 2011 in lower Arab dius had been born in 2011 in lower p IA and had spent his entire life p IA and had spent his entire life p IA and had spent his entire life serving the Empire as a distinguished serving the Empire as a distinguished serving the Empire as a distinguished Senator he had been conso in 232 and had Senator he had been conso in 232 and had Senator he had been conso in 232 and had served as governor of lower Germany

served as governor of lower Germany served as governor of lower Germany moisa and hispania Terra caninus all key moisa and hispania Terra caninus all key moisa and hispania Terra caninus all key provinces with significant troop provinces with significant troop provinces with significant troop deployments it appears that he was in deployments it appears that he was in deployments it appears that he was in Spain during the tumultuous year of 238 Spain during the tumultuous year of 238 Spain during the tumultuous year of 238 but had he not been it seems highly but had he not been it seems highly but had he not been it seems highly likely that he would have been elected likely that he would have been elected likely that he would have been elected one of the 20 senators of the emergency one of the 20 senators of the emergency one of the 20 senators of the emergency Council Council Council during the early years of Philip's Reign during the early years of Philip's Reign during the early years of Philip's Reign dius had been prefect of Rome and by 248 dius had been prefect of Rome and by 248 dius had been prefect of Rome and by 248 there was really no one in the Senate there was really no one in the Senate there was really no one in the Senate with the possible exception of valaran with the possible exception of valaran with the possible exception of valaran more accomplished and respected than more accomplished and respected than more accomplished and respected than Deus his bold and correct reading of the Deus his bold and correct reading of the Deus his bold and correct reading of the situation in moesia only increased that standing but just because the Rebellion standing but just because the Rebellion had collapsed that did not mean that had collapsed that did not mean that had collapsed that did not mean that Philip and his regime were out of Philip and his regime were out of Philip and his regime were out of danger the troops may have lost their danger the troops may have lost their danger the troops may have lost their nerve this time but that did not mean nerve this time but that did not mean nerve this time but that did not mean that they had lost their nerve that they had lost their nerve that they had lost their nerve forever clearly a firm hand was needed forever clearly a firm hand was needed forever clearly a firm hand was needed along the danu to restore discipline and along the danu to restore discipline and along the danu to restore discipline and make sure that things like this didn't make sure that things like this didn't make sure that things like this didn't happen in the happen in the happen in the future and who better descend on this future and who better descend on this future and who better descend on this Mission than wise dius who seemed to Mission than wise dius who seemed to Mission than wise dius who seemed to know the troops better than they knew know the troops better than they knew know the troops better than they knew themselves so Philip ordered dius to themselves so Philip ordered dius to themselves so Philip ordered dius to moesia where he was to whip the legions moesia where he was to whip the legions moesia where he was to whip the legions back into shape and prepare them for the back into shape and prepare them for the back into shape and prepare them for the critical task of defending the Empire critical task of defending the Empire critical task of defending the Empire from a Gothic threat that looked only to from a Gothic threat that looked only to from a Gothic threat that looked only to be gaining strength with each passing be gaining strength with each passing be gaining strength with each passing year when looked at one way that dius year when looked at one way that dius year when looked at one way that dius was respected capable loyal and smart

was respected capable loyal and smart was respected capable loyal and smart the decision to send him to moesia was the decision to send him to moesia was the decision to send him to moesia was an obvious one but when looked at an obvious one but when looked at an obvious one but when looked at another way taking into account that another way taking into account that another way taking into account that dius was easily more popular than Philip dius was easily more popular than Philip dius was easily more popular than Philip and was about to be given command over and was about to be given command over and was about to be given command over the largest and best fighting force in the largest and best fighting force in the largest and best fighting force in the Empire the decision to send him to the Empire the decision to send him to the Empire the decision to send him to micia turns into an absurd micia turns into an absurd micia turns into an absurd blunder in any event the next time the blunder in any event the next time the blunder in any event the next time the two would face each other would be at two would face each other would be at two would face each other would be at the heads of opposing armies so yeah the heads of opposing armies so yeah the heads of opposing armies so yeah maybe Philip shouldn't have gone and maybe Philip shouldn't have gone and maybe Philip shouldn't have gone and done done done that but that is for next week I want to that but that is for next week I want to that but that is for next week I want to close this week by addressing one little close this week by addressing one little close this week by addressing one little piece of historical trivia that was piece of historical trivia that was piece of historical trivia that was believed for centuries but has since believed for centuries but has since believed for centuries but has since been more or less abandoned the fact been more or less abandoned the fact been more or less abandoned the fact that Philip the Arab may have been the that Philip the Arab may have been the that Philip the Arab may have been the first Christian emperor of first Christian emperor of first Christian emperor of Rome this rumor mostly took root as a Rome this rumor mostly took root as a Rome this rumor mostly took root as a result of the subus describing an result of the subus describing an result of the subus describing an incident in his ecclesiastical history incident in his ecclesiastical history incident in his ecclesiastical history that has Philip attempting to visit a that has Philip attempting to visit a that has Philip attempting to visit a church shortly after becoming Emperor church shortly after becoming Emperor church shortly after becoming Emperor being denied entry by the bishop and being denied entry by the bishop and being denied entry by the bishop and then confessing his sins to gain then confessing his sins to gain then confessing his sins to gain admittance his subsequent toleration of admittance his subsequent toleration of admittance his subsequent toleration of Christianity in contrast most especially Christianity in contrast most especially Christianity in contrast most especially to his successor dius served as further to his successor dius served as further to his successor dius served as further circumstantial proof that Philip was in circumstantial proof that Philip was in circumstantial proof that Philip was in fact a member of the fact a member of the fact a member of the flock but weighing the scales down on flock but weighing the scales down on flock but weighing the scales down on the other side are big known facts like the other side are big known facts like the other side are big known facts like Philip's Embrace of his role as ponteix Philip's Embrace of his role as ponteix Philip's Embrace of his role as ponteix Maximus and the Pagan ceremonies he Maximus and the Pagan ceremonies he Maximus and the Pagan ceremonies he officiated during the secular games both officiated during the secular games both officiated during the secular games both of which would have been big noos had he

of which would have been big noos had he of which would have been big noos had he been truly been truly been truly Christian with regards to Philip's Christian with regards to Philip's Christian with regards to Philip's relationship with the church I am relationship with the church I am relationship with the church I am content then to believe that given his content then to believe that given his content then to believe that given his upbringing in the christianized East upbringing in the christianized East upbringing in the christianized East that he probably had more sympathy to that he probably had more sympathy to that he probably had more sympathy to and connection with the Christian and connection with the Christian and connection with the Christian communities than most of his Imperial communities than most of his Imperial communities than most of his Imperial colleagues but it doesn't seem PL colleagues but it doesn't seem PL colleagues but it doesn't seem PL posible that he himself was a Christian Philip's positive relationship Christian Philip's positive relationship with Christianity though does offer an with Christianity though does offer an with Christianity though does offer an interesting insight into the subsequent interesting insight into the subsequent interesting insight into the subsequent persecutions of dius who would wind up persecutions of dius who would wind up persecutions of dius who would wind up issuing an edict shortly after he became issuing an edict shortly after he became issuing an edict shortly after he became emperor demanding citizens of Rome offer emperor demanding citizens of Rome offer emperor demanding citizens of Rome offer sacrifices to the pagan sacrifices to the pagan sacrifices to the pagan gods dius may have issued his edict to gods dius may have issued his edict to gods dius may have issued his edict to get the troubled Roman Empire back on get the troubled Roman Empire back on get the troubled Roman Empire back on the right side of the Gods but he may the right side of the Gods but he may the right side of the Gods but he may also have issued it as a means of also have issued it as a means of also have issued it as a means of persecuting allies of Philip as Deus persecuting allies of Philip as Deus persecuting allies of Philip as Deus looked to consolidate his own rule next week we will explore the rule next week we will explore the anti-christian policies of deus but only anti-christian policies of deus but only anti-christian policies of deus but only after we cover his accidental Rebellion after we cover his accidental Rebellion after we cover his accidental Rebellion against against against Phillip it seems that good Deus had Phillip it seems that good Deus had Phillip it seems that good Deus had every intention of restoring discipline every intention of restoring discipline every intention of restoring discipline to the Troops along the danu but upon to the Troops along the danu but upon to the Troops along the danu but upon arriving was greeted with an ultimatum arriving was greeted with an ultimatum arriving was greeted with an ultimatum that he either lead them in a new Revolt that he either lead them in a new Revolt that he either lead them in a new Revolt or die right there on the spot or die right there on the spot or die right there on the spot loyal to Philip but not suicidally loyal loyal to Philip but not suicidally loyal loyal to Philip but not suicidally loyal to Phillip Theus agreed to their demands to Phillip Theus agreed to their demands to Phillip Theus agreed to their demands and immediately about faced and headed and immediately about faced and headed and immediately about faced and headed back to Italy this time at the head of

back to Italy this time at the head of back to Italy this time at the head of an an an [Music] [Music] [Music] army e hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 110 a Gothic Rome episode 110 a Gothic Rome episode 110 a Gothic [Music] [Music] [Music] horror we left off last time in 248 ad horror we left off last time in 248 ad horror we left off last time in 248 ad when a short-lived rebellion in moesia when a short-lived rebellion in moesia when a short-lived rebellion in moesia prompted Philip the Arab to send the prompted Philip the Arab to send the prompted Philip the Arab to send the respected Senator gas Deus to the danu respected Senator gas Deus to the danu respected Senator gas Deus to the danu to get the situation back under to get the situation back under to get the situation back under control sending out Deus was supposed to control sending out Deus was supposed to control sending out Deus was supposed to help secure the future of Philip's rule help secure the future of Philip's rule help secure the future of Philip's rule but instead it was the Catalyst for his

but instead it was the Catalyst for his but instead it was the Catalyst for his demise thesias arrived in the north and demise thesias arrived in the north and demise thesias arrived in the north and began making the rounds inspecting this began making the rounds inspecting this began making the rounds inspecting this and telling someone to tuck in that and and telling someone to tuck in that and and telling someone to tuck in that and all the while believed that he really all the while believed that he really all the while believed that he really was going to spend the next year or so was going to spend the next year or so was going to spend the next year or so restoring discipline to the danu legions restoring discipline to the danu legions restoring discipline to the danu legions but the Dan Legions had other but the Dan Legions had other but the Dan Legions had other ideas they had flinched from their first ideas they had flinched from their first ideas they had flinched from their first Rebellion possibly because peanis was Rebellion possibly because peanis was Rebellion possibly because peanis was too much of a nobody to be taken too much of a nobody to be taken too much of a nobody to be taken seriously as Emperor but Deus well you seriously as Emperor but Deus well you seriously as Emperor but Deus well you could really picture him draped in the could really picture him draped in the could really picture him draped in the purple so with their grievances still purple so with their grievances still purple so with their grievances still unaddressed they decided to make another unaddressed they decided to make another unaddressed they decided to make another play at Revolution this time withus as play at Revolution this time withus as play at Revolution this time withus as their leader in the spring of 249 the troops leader in the spring of 249 the troops surprised their new Commander one surprised their new Commander one surprised their new Commander one morning by hailing him as morning by hailing him as morning by hailing him as Emperor they demanded that he lead them Emperor they demanded that he lead them Emperor they demanded that he lead them to Italy where together they would to Italy where together they would to Italy where together they would unseat Philip and force the Senate to unseat Philip and force the Senate to unseat Philip and force the Senate to recognize Deus as the new master of recognize Deus as the new master of recognize Deus as the new master of Rome Philip's dishonorable peace with Rome Philip's dishonorable peace with Rome Philip's dishonorable peace with the parthians coupled with his the parthians coupled with his the parthians coupled with his unwillingness to confront the Goths had unwillingness to confront the Goths had unwillingness to confront the Goths had caused them to lose all respect for the caused them to lose all respect for the caused them to lose all respect for the man and they strongly hinted that come man and they strongly hinted that come man and they strongly hinted that come or high water they were going to replace or high water they were going to replace or high water they were going to replace Philip with someone if dius wanted the Philip with someone if dius wanted the Philip with someone if dius wanted the job they were willing to give it to him job they were willing to give it to him job they were willing to give it to him if not then as Philip's loyal agent they if not then as Philip's loyal agent they if not then as Philip's loyal agent they were going to kill him reluctantly Deus were going to kill him reluctantly Deus were going to kill him reluctantly Deus agreed to lead agreed to lead agreed to lead them his Noble reluctance is always them his Noble reluctance is always them his Noble reluctance is always noted in the histories but it's worth noted in the histories but it's worth noted in the histories but it's worth remembering that he was not so reluctant

remembering that he was not so reluctant remembering that he was not so reluctant that he refused what they were offering leaving behind the troops offering leaving behind the troops necessary to Garrison the frontier Deus necessary to Garrison the frontier Deus necessary to Garrison the frontier Deus LED or followed as some of the histories LED or followed as some of the histories LED or followed as some of the histories imply the rest of the men on a march to imply the rest of the men on a march to imply the rest of the men on a march to Italy where they planned to confront Italy where they planned to confront Italy where they planned to confront Philip and force him to Philip and force him to Philip and force him to abdicate word reached Rome soon after abdicate word reached Rome soon after abdicate word reached Rome soon after that the troops were on the move and that the troops were on the move and that the troops were on the move and Philip scrambled to assemble a Defense Philip scrambled to assemble a Defense Philip scrambled to assemble a Defense Force there was no such thing as a nice Force there was no such thing as a nice Force there was no such thing as a nice quiet abdication at this point in Roman quiet abdication at this point in Roman quiet abdication at this point in Roman history and Philip knew that if he history and Philip knew that if he history and Philip knew that if he wanted to keep his head he was going to wanted to keep his head he was going to wanted to keep his head he was going to have to keep his throne and if he wanted have to keep his throne and if he wanted have to keep his throne and if he wanted to keep his throne he was going to have to keep his throne he was going to have to keep his throne he was going to have to fight for to fight for to fight for it the preparations were no doubt it the preparations were no doubt it the preparations were no doubt fraught with desperation Philip knew fraught with desperation Philip knew fraught with desperation Philip knew full well he wouldn't be able to raise full well he wouldn't be able to raise full well he wouldn't be able to raise enough troops to match the size of enough troops to match the size of enough troops to match the size of deus's force but the year of the six deus's force but the year of the six deus's force but the year of the six Emperors had proved that Italy could Emperors had proved that Italy could Emperors had proved that Italy could ward off an angry legionary Force given ward off an angry legionary Force given ward off an angry legionary Force given the right amount of luck and the right amount of luck and the right amount of luck and determination so it's not like Philip determination so it's not like Philip determination so it's not like Philip necessarily believed he was preparing necessarily believed he was preparing necessarily believed he was preparing for some suicidal Last for some suicidal Last for some suicidal Last Stand but luck and determination were Stand but luck and determination were Stand but luck and determination were not on Philip's side Deus was no not on Philip's side Deus was no not on Philip's side Deus was no maximinus thra and Philip was no hearty maximinus thra and Philip was no hearty maximinus thra and Philip was no hearty Brotherhood of senators valiantly Brotherhood of senators valiantly Brotherhood of senators valiantly defending the honor of Italy from an defending the honor of Italy from an defending the honor of Italy from an evil Tyrant so the story played out evil Tyrant so the story played out evil Tyrant so the story played out differently this time in the summer of 249 Deus and time in the summer of 249 Deus and Philip faced off near Verona in Northern Philip faced off near Verona in Northern Philip faced off near Verona in Northern Italy despite frequent letter swearing Italy despite frequent letter swearing Italy despite frequent letter swearing falty to the emperor Deus was unable to

falty to the emperor Deus was unable to falty to the emperor Deus was unable to calm the temper of his men and however calm the temper of his men and however calm the temper of his men and however he felt in his heart that all took a he felt in his heart that all took a he felt in his heart that all took a backseat when it came time to backseat when it came time to backseat when it came time to act the two sides joined in a short act the two sides joined in a short act the two sides joined in a short battle and Philip's Army was easily battle and Philip's Army was easily battle and Philip's Army was easily routed it is unclear whether he and his routed it is unclear whether he and his routed it is unclear whether he and his son were killed during the fighting son were killed during the fighting son were killed during the fighting itself or a few days after their defeat itself or a few days after their defeat itself or a few days after their defeat but within a week of the battle Philip but within a week of the battle Philip but within a week of the battle Philip was dead and dius was on his way to Rome was dead and dius was on his way to Rome was dead and dius was on his way to Rome to have the Senate ratify his Ascension to have the Senate ratify his Ascension to have the Senate ratify his Ascension to the to the to the throne Philip the Arab was 44 years old throne Philip the Arab was 44 years old throne Philip the Arab was 44 years old and had ruled the empire for 5 years as I said Deus was no maximinus th years as I said Deus was no maximinus th and the Senate was more than happy to to and the Senate was more than happy to to and the Senate was more than happy to to raise one of their own to the raise one of their own to the raise one of their own to the purple in addition to the title Augustus purple in addition to the title Augustus purple in addition to the title Augustus they also gave dius the honorific tronis they also gave dius the honorific tronis they also gave dius the honorific tronis a hopeful nod that the new emperor would a hopeful nod that the new emperor would a hopeful nod that the new emperor would prove to be as wise and as capable as prove to be as wise and as capable as prove to be as wise and as capable as the great trun had the great trun had the great trun had been Theus sent the legions who had been Theus sent the legions who had been Theus sent the legions who had carried him to power back to the danu carried him to power back to the danu carried him to power back to the danu while he himself stayed in Rome to while he himself stayed in Rome to while he himself stayed in Rome to consolidate power and take stock of the consolidate power and take stock of the consolidate power and take stock of the Empire he now Empire he now Empire he now led the moisan legions received a led the moisan legions received a led the moisan legions received a healthy donative for their day's work healthy donative for their day's work healthy donative for their day's work temporarily stealing their desire for a temporarily stealing their desire for a temporarily stealing their desire for a war with the war with the war with the Goths eventually though they would get Goths eventually though they would get Goths eventually though they would get their war and soon come to realize that their war and soon come to realize that their war and soon come to realize that maybe they shouldn't have been quite so maybe they shouldn't have been quite so maybe they shouldn't have been quite so eager to take on the Northern eager to take on the Northern eager to take on the Northern barbarians this moment of realization barbarians this moment of realization barbarians this moment of realization probably came right around the time they probably came right around the time they probably came right around the time they were all being hacked to death in a were all being hacked to death in a were all being hacked to death in a muddy bloody

swamp when dius was done taking stock of swamp when dius was done taking stock of the Empire he declared that he did not the Empire he declared that he did not the Empire he declared that he did not much like what he much like what he much like what he saw the siss had been dishonorably paid saw the siss had been dishonorably paid saw the siss had been dishonorably paid off in the East the Goths menaced the off in the East the Goths menaced the off in the East the Goths menaced the North and Rome itself was a cesspool of North and Rome itself was a cesspool of North and Rome itself was a cesspool of vice and vice and vice and Corruption the Roman Empire had lost its Corruption the Roman Empire had lost its Corruption the Roman Empire had lost its way and the new emperor was determined way and the new emperor was determined way and the new emperor was determined to get it back on the right to get it back on the right to get it back on the right track the main problem dcus decided was track the main problem dcus decided was track the main problem dcus decided was not shifting demographics or economic not shifting demographics or economic not shifting demographics or economic fluctuations or the threat of foreign fluctuations or the threat of foreign fluctuations or the threat of foreign Invasion but rather the loss of public Invasion but rather the loss of public Invasion but rather the loss of public virtue that virtue which had helped help virtue that virtue which had helped help virtue that virtue which had helped help Rome win the favor of the Gods had been Rome win the favor of the Gods had been Rome win the favor of the Gods had been abandoned and so the gods had abandoned abandoned and so the gods had abandoned abandoned and so the gods had abandoned Rome to help the Empire get back on the Rome to help the Empire get back on the Rome to help the Empire get back on the good side of those Supernatural forces good side of those Supernatural forces good side of those Supernatural forces that obviously determine the course of that obviously determine the course of that obviously determine the course of Earthly Affairs Theus dreamed up two Earthly Affairs Theus dreamed up two Earthly Affairs Theus dreamed up two major major major initiatives first he was going to demand initiatives first he was going to demand initiatives first he was going to demand that every citizen in the Empire offer that every citizen in the Empire offer that every citizen in the Empire offer sacrifices to convince the gods that sacrifices to convince the gods that sacrifices to convince the gods that Rome had not forsaken them and second he Rome had not forsaken them and second he Rome had not forsaken them and second he was going to revive the long abandoned was going to revive the long abandoned was going to revive the long abandoned office of censor so that someone would office of censor so that someone would office of censor so that someone would be in place to regulate and legislate be in place to regulate and legislate be in place to regulate and legislate public public public morality taken together Deus figured morality taken together Deus figured morality taken together Deus figured that this would be enough to please the that this would be enough to please the that this would be enough to please the gods and prevent them from heaping any gods and prevent them from heaping any gods and prevent them from heaping any more misery on the Romans it seems more misery on the Romans it seems more misery on the Romans it seems though that given what's about to happen though that given what's about to happen though that given what's about to happen the gods were not at all impressed by the gods were not at all impressed by the gods were not at all impressed by these offerings Theus started in January of

offerings Theus started in January of 250 by issuing his famous edict that 250 by issuing his famous edict that 250 by issuing his famous edict that every citizen of the Empire must offer a every citizen of the Empire must offer a every citizen of the Empire must offer a sacrifice to the Gods on behalf of the sacrifice to the Gods on behalf of the sacrifice to the Gods on behalf of the emperor the edict seems innocuously emperor the edict seems innocuously emperor the edict seems innocuously Pious enough but it was well known that Pious enough but it was well known that Pious enough but it was well known that a certain minority of citizens were a certain minority of citizens were a certain minority of citizens were going to have a big problem with this going to have a big problem with this going to have a big problem with this seemingly simple request and it is seemingly simple request and it is seemingly simple request and it is completely plausible that deus's idea of completely plausible that deus's idea of completely plausible that deus's idea of getting back on the good side of the getting back on the good side of the getting back on the good side of the Gods had nothing to do with sacrifices Gods had nothing to do with sacrifices Gods had nothing to do with sacrifices at all but instead had everything to do at all but instead had everything to do at all but instead had everything to do with the complete suppression of with the complete suppression of with the complete suppression of Christianity the mechanics of the edict were simple a the mechanics of the edict were simple a magistrate would announce that everyone magistrate would announce that everyone magistrate would announce that everyone in his municipality had say 30 days to in his municipality had say 30 days to in his municipality had say 30 days to offer the proper sacrifices and then you offer the proper sacrifices and then you offer the proper sacrifices and then you would be issued a ticket after having would be issued a ticket after having would be issued a ticket after having performed said performed said performed said sacrifices the officials would then come sacrifices the officials would then come sacrifices the officials would then come around after the 30 days were up and around after the 30 days were up and around after the 30 days were up and make sure everyone had their ticket and make sure everyone had their ticket and make sure everyone had their ticket and if you didn't have it well that was if you didn't have it well that was if you didn't have it well that was treason and treason meant torture and death across the Empire Christians heard death across the Empire Christians heard about the edict immediately recognized about the edict immediately recognized about the edict immediately recognized it as being totally incompatible with it as being totally incompatible with it as being totally incompatible with their belief system and tried to figure their belief system and tried to figure their belief system and tried to figure out what exactly they were going to out what exactly they were going to out what exactly they were going to do some broke right away made the do some broke right away made the do some broke right away made the necessary sacrifices and either left necessary sacrifices and either left necessary sacrifices and either left Christianity behind forever or asked for Christianity behind forever or asked for Christianity behind forever or asked for forgiveness after the fact but most forgiveness after the fact but most forgiveness after the fact but most refused and hoped that the Roman refused and hoped that the Roman refused and hoped that the Roman authorities would not pursue any authorities would not pursue any authorities would not pursue any heavy-handed heavy-handed heavy-handed reprisals what was the big deal if a few

reprisals what was the big deal if a few reprisals what was the big deal if a few Christians didn't take part in these p Christians didn't take part in these p Christians didn't take part in these p and rituals they paid their taxes and and rituals they paid their taxes and and rituals they paid their taxes and kept out of trouble and for the last few kept out of trouble and for the last few kept out of trouble and for the last few years that had been more than enough to years that had been more than enough to years that had been more than enough to keep them flying below the Imperial keep them flying below the Imperial keep them flying below the Imperial radar but Deus had no intention of radar but Deus had no intention of radar but Deus had no intention of pursuing a policy of Toleration and when pursuing a policy of Toleration and when pursuing a policy of Toleration and when the first batch of Christians let time the first batch of Christians let time the first batch of Christians let time expire without making a sacrifice Theus expire without making a sacrifice Theus expire without making a sacrifice Theus recommended to the local authorities recommended to the local authorities recommended to the local authorities that they go ahead with the torture and that they go ahead with the torture and that they go ahead with the torture and the the the executions like a wave spreading across executions like a wave spreading across executions like a wave spreading across the Empire defiant Christians were the Empire defiant Christians were the Empire defiant Christians were rounded Ed up and killed as the deadline rounded Ed up and killed as the deadline rounded Ed up and killed as the deadline for sacrificing came and went in each for sacrificing came and went in each for sacrificing came and went in each new Province over the course of 250 Province over the course of 250 thousands of Christians both prominent thousands of Christians both prominent thousands of Christians both prominent and obscure were executed including Pope and obscure were executed including Pope and obscure were executed including Pope Fabian who set the tone for the faithful Fabian who set the tone for the faithful Fabian who set the tone for the faithful by accepting martyrdom at the end of by accepting martyrdom at the end of by accepting martyrdom at the end of January 250 not long after the edict was January 250 not long after the edict was January 250 not long after the edict was first first first issued perhaps revealing what this was issued perhaps revealing what this was issued perhaps revealing what this was all really about Deus then prevented the all really about Deus then prevented the all really about Deus then prevented the Christians from electing a new bishop of Christians from electing a new bishop of Christians from electing a new bishop of Rome and the office remained vacant Rome and the office remained vacant Rome and the office remained vacant until the emperor left the capital to go until the emperor left the capital to go until the emperor left the capital to go fight the Goths 18 months fight the Goths 18 months fight the Goths 18 months later not to get too far off into later not to get too far off into later not to get too far off into ecclesiastic history but when a new pope ecclesiastic history but when a new pope ecclesiastic history but when a new pope finally was elected again it set off a finally was elected again it set off a finally was elected again it set off a minor Schism within the church over the minor Schism within the church over the minor Schism within the church over the question of how exactly to treat those question of how exactly to treat those question of how exactly to treat those Christians who had made the sacrifices Christians who had made the sacrifices Christians who had made the sacrifices and now wanted to return to the church and now wanted to return to the church and now wanted to return to the church did they need to be re-baptized or was did they need to be re-baptized or was did they need to be re-baptized or was sincere repentance sincere repentance sincere repentance enough and this was a heavy question

enough and this was a heavy question enough and this was a heavy question that caused a great deal of angry debate that caused a great deal of angry debate that caused a great deal of angry debate so while not succeeding in eliminating so while not succeeding in eliminating so while not succeeding in eliminating Christianity Deus did do much to sew Christianity Deus did do much to sew Christianity Deus did do much to sew some serious Discord within the church while the persecution of church while the persecution of Christians raged across the Empire Theus Christians raged across the Empire Theus Christians raged across the Empire Theus made a play to further reintroduce the made a play to further reintroduce the made a play to further reintroduce the Romans to The Virtuous ways of their Romans to The Virtuous ways of their Romans to The Virtuous ways of their forefathers by Reviving The Office of forefathers by Reviving The Office of forefathers by Reviving The Office of censor but rather than claiming the censor but rather than claiming the censor but rather than claiming the title for himself as previous emperor title for himself as previous emperor title for himself as previous emperor EMP had done dius picked a man he EMP had done dius picked a man he EMP had done dius picked a man he thought worthy of the job and offered thought worthy of the job and offered thought worthy of the job and offered puus like kinus valanis the opportunity puus like kinus valanis the opportunity puus like kinus valanis the opportunity to lead Rome's moral to lead Rome's moral to lead Rome's moral Revival but Valyrian as we know him Revival but Valyrian as we know him Revival but Valyrian as we know him today thought long and hard about the today thought long and hard about the today thought long and hard about the offer and in the end risked the Wrath of offer and in the end risked the Wrath of offer and in the end risked the Wrath of the emperor by declining to take the the emperor by declining to take the the emperor by declining to take the job Not only was the task shaping up to job Not only was the task shaping up to job Not only was the task shaping up to be an impossible one hey you see that be an impossible one hey you see that be an impossible one hey you see that water over there make it run uphill okay water over there make it run uphill okay water over there make it run uphill okay but the censorship was when you read the but the censorship was when you read the but the censorship was when you read the fine print an incredibly powerful fine print an incredibly powerful fine print an incredibly powerful office to Dawn the title of censor would office to Dawn the title of censor would office to Dawn the title of censor would be to Dawn a title that would make be to Dawn a title that would make be to Dawn a title that would make Valyrian practically the equal of deus Valyrian practically the equal of deus Valyrian practically the equal of deus and that was a very dangerous place to and that was a very dangerous place to and that was a very dangerous place to be he could see that in time that kind be he could see that in time that kind be he could see that in time that kind of power would probably make Deus of power would probably make Deus of power would probably make Deus violently paranoid even if it had been violently paranoid even if it had been violently paranoid even if it had been his idea to begin his idea to begin his idea to begin with valaran was a smart guy the job was with valaran was a smart guy the job was with valaran was a smart guy the job was impossible and the position was just too

impossible and the position was just too impossible and the position was just too dangerous no good could come of it so he dangerous no good could come of it so he dangerous no good could come of it so he declined he told Deus that the office declined he told Deus that the office declined he told Deus that the office was too AUST to be held by anyone but was too AUST to be held by anyone but was too AUST to be held by anyone but the Augustus himself and asked instead the Augustus himself and asked instead the Augustus himself and asked instead for a regular old military posting in for a regular old military posting in for a regular old military posting in Germany Theus granted the request and Germany Theus granted the request and Germany Theus granted the request and let Valyrian slip away with his head let Valyrian slip away with his head let Valyrian slip away with his head intact we do not know whether the intact we do not know whether the intact we do not know whether the emperor planned to let the matter drop emperor planned to let the matter drop emperor planned to let the matter drop completely or whether he was dead set on completely or whether he was dead set on completely or whether he was dead set on bringing the s answer back to Rome bringing the s answer back to Rome bringing the s answer back to Rome because shortly after valerian's refusal because shortly after valerian's refusal because shortly after valerian's refusal the Goths once again invaded the Empire the Goths once again invaded the Empire the Goths once again invaded the Empire bringing an end to deus's experiments bringing an end to deus's experiments bringing an end to deus's experiments with public virtue in late 250 a Gothic King named virtue in late 250 a Gothic King named Keva that's the pronunciation I'm going Keva that's the pronunciation I'm going Keva that's the pronunciation I'm going with LED an army across the danu and with LED an army across the danu and with LED an army across the danu and began running a muck in thce and began running a muck in thce and began running a muck in thce and moesia though we call this Army the moesia though we call this Army the moesia though we call this Army the Goths they were actually a far more Goths they were actually a far more Goths they were actually a far more cosmopol Force than the name cosmopol Force than the name cosmopol Force than the name suggests Keva raised a standard that suggests Keva raised a standard that suggests Keva raised a standard that Germans and sarmatians and even a Germans and sarmatians and even a Germans and sarmatians and even a healthy number of Roman deserters flock healthy number of Roman deserters flock healthy number of Roman deserters flock to so while we call them the Goths to so while we call them the Goths to so while we call them the Goths remember that a number of different remember that a number of different remember that a number of different nationalities all fought for caneva not nationalities all fought for caneva not nationalities all fought for caneva not just the Goths themselves though they just the Goths themselves though they just the Goths themselves though they were the thick trunk of the invading were the thick trunk of the invading were the thick trunk of the invading army cana's forces overran the Border army cana's forces overran the Border army cana's forces overran the Border defenses easily which was what prompted defenses easily which was what prompted defenses easily which was what prompted so many Roman soldiers to Desert and so many Roman soldiers to Desert and so many Roman soldiers to Desert and after extracting a large payment from

after extracting a large payment from after extracting a large payment from marcianopolis not to sack their City the marcianopolis not to sack their City the marcianopolis not to sack their City the Goths were soon laying Siege to the city Goths were soon laying Siege to the city Goths were soon laying Siege to the city of of of nicopolis provincial leaders begged Deus nicopolis provincial leaders begged Deus nicopolis provincial leaders begged Deus to personally lead a relief Army to to personally lead a relief Army to to personally lead a relief Army to evict these most unwelcome guests and evict these most unwelcome guests and evict these most unwelcome guests and Deus recognizing how dire the situation Deus recognizing how dire the situation Deus recognizing how dire the situation was immediately began preparations for was immediately began preparations for was immediately began preparations for the March the March the March North in early 251 he was on his way North in early 251 he was on his way North in early 251 he was on his way along with his 24-year-old son herennius along with his 24-year-old son herennius along with his 24-year-old son herennius who Deus had induced the Senate to make who Deus had induced the Senate to make who Deus had induced the Senate to make his co- Augustus shortly before their his co- Augustus shortly before their his co- Augustus shortly before their departure this new father and son team departure this new father and son team departure this new father and son team was supposed to destroy the Goths and was supposed to destroy the Goths and was supposed to destroy the Goths and then go on to found a great new Dynasty then go on to found a great new Dynasty then go on to found a great new Dynasty but instead what happened is that they but instead what happened is that they but instead what happened is that they both died and went down in history as both died and went down in history as both died and went down in history as the first Emperors to fall in battle the first Emperors to fall in battle the first Emperors to fall in battle against a foreign against a foreign against a foreign enemy now the Persians will tell you enemy now the Persians will tell you enemy now the Persians will tell you that that honor really belongs to that that honor really belongs to that that honor really belongs to gordian III but let's not concern gordian III but let's not concern gordian III but let's not concern ourselves with that for now ourselves with that for now ourselves with that for now the Goths had not taken nicopolis by the the Goths had not taken nicopolis by the the Goths had not taken nicopolis by the time dius and his reinforcements arrived time dius and his reinforcements arrived time dius and his reinforcements arrived so caneva abandoned The Siege and headed so caneva abandoned The Siege and headed so caneva abandoned The Siege and headed off for greener off for greener off for greener pastures but for the Romans this was not pastures but for the Romans this was not pastures but for the Romans this was not about simply coming to the aid of about simply coming to the aid of about simply coming to the aid of nicopolis it was about throwing the nicopolis it was about throwing the nicopolis it was about throwing the Goths out of the Empire entirely so dius Goths out of the Empire entirely so dius Goths out of the Empire entirely so dius and his army pursued caneva across the and his army pursued caneva across the and his army pursued caneva across the countryside no slouch when it came to countryside no slouch when it came to countryside no slouch when it came to strategy and tactics the gothic King saw strategy and tactics the gothic King saw strategy and tactics the gothic King saw the Romans coming hot on his heel and the Romans coming hot on his heel and the Romans coming hot on his heel and decided to use their headlong charge decided to use their headlong charge decided to use their headlong charge against

against against them Theus was pushing his troops hard them Theus was pushing his troops hard them Theus was pushing his troops hard on the assumption that Cana was running on the assumption that Cana was running on the assumption that Cana was running as fast as he could but what the gothic as fast as he could but what the gothic as fast as he could but what the gothic King was actually doing was turning his King was actually doing was turning his King was actually doing was turning his army around and pointing them straight army around and pointing them straight army around and pointing them straight back at the unsuspecting back at the unsuspecting back at the unsuspecting Legions believing the Goths to be Legions believing the Goths to be Legions believing the Goths to be nowhere near them the Romans set up camp nowhere near them the Romans set up camp nowhere near them the Romans set up camp for the night and though guards were of for the night and though guards were of for the night and though guards were of course posted no one was expecting to be course posted no one was expecting to be course posted no one was expecting to be doing any fighting for at least a couple doing any fighting for at least a couple doing any fighting for at least a couple of of of days but then out of nowhere the full days but then out of nowhere the full days but then out of nowhere the full Gothic Army appeared over a hill and Gothic Army appeared over a hill and Gothic Army appeared over a hill and came barreling at the Roman came barreling at the Roman came barreling at the Roman position caught completely off guard position caught completely off guard position caught completely off guard Theus tried to keep his men in line but Theus tried to keep his men in line but Theus tried to keep his men in line but the shock of the attack scattered the the shock of the attack scattered the the shock of the attack scattered the legions and the subsequent Retreat legions and the subsequent Retreat legions and the subsequent Retreat involved a lot more running than the involved a lot more running than the involved a lot more running than the emperor probably would have emperor probably would have emperor probably would have liked satisfied that he had spooked the liked satisfied that he had spooked the liked satisfied that he had spooked the Romans off the chase caneva then headed Romans off the chase caneva then headed Romans off the chase caneva then headed off to the nearby city of philipopoulos off to the nearby city of philipopoulos off to the nearby city of philipopoulos which he planned to sack before the which he planned to sack before the which he planned to sack before the Romans were able to regroup Romans were able to regroup Romans were able to regroup the Goths were after all here to plunder the Goths were after all here to plunder the Goths were after all here to plunder the wealth of the Empire not engage the the wealth of the Empire not engage the the wealth of the Empire not engage the legions in unproductive legions in unproductive legions in unproductive battles but by not following up on his battles but by not following up on his battles but by not following up on his surprise attack caneva allowed Deus time surprise attack caneva allowed Deus time surprise attack caneva allowed Deus time to reform his embarrassed to reform his embarrassed to reform his embarrassed Army the emperor rebuilt their Army the emperor rebuilt their Army the emperor rebuilt their confidence by Leading them against a confidence by Leading them against a confidence by Leading them against a series of much smaller German forces who series of much smaller German forces who series of much smaller German forces who were attempting to join cana's were attempting to join cana's were attempting to join cana's Invincible Army and pretty soon they Invincible Army and pretty soon they Invincible Army and pretty soon they were feeling okay about themselves were feeling okay about themselves were feeling okay about themselves again kiva's Invincible Army though was again kiva's Invincible Army though was again kiva's Invincible Army though was only Invincible when fighting in only Invincible when fighting in only Invincible when fighting in head-to-head battles when it came to

head-to-head battles when it came to head-to-head battles when it came to laying Siege to cities they lacked the laying Siege to cities they lacked the laying Siege to cities they lacked the kind of sophisticated equipment kind of sophisticated equipment kind of sophisticated equipment necessary to do the job right and the necessary to do the job right and the necessary to do the job right and the siege of philipopoulos like the siege of siege of philipopoulos like the siege of siege of philipopoulos like the siege of nicopolis took longer than it was nicopolis took longer than it was nicopolis took longer than it was supposed to and while the Romans supposed to and while the Romans supposed to and while the Romans regained their strength Cana saw the regained their strength Cana saw the regained their strength Cana saw the strength of his own Army slowly slipping away but eventually the citizens of away but eventually the citizens of philipopoulos could hold out no longer philipopoulos could hold out no longer philipopoulos could hold out no longer and they were forced to surrender the and they were forced to surrender the and they were forced to surrender the their their their city in the subsequent sack it is city in the subsequent sack it is city in the subsequent sack it is reported that 100,000 men women and reported that 100,000 men women and reported that 100,000 men women and children were children were children were killed caneva emboldened then grabbed killed caneva emboldened then grabbed killed caneva emboldened then grabbed Titus Julius priscus the governor of Titus Julius priscus the governor of Titus Julius priscus the governor of thce who may or may not have been in on thce who may or may not have been in on thce who may or may not have been in on the whole thing and been the one who the whole thing and been the one who the whole thing and been the one who betrayed philipis to the Goths and betrayed philipis to the Goths and betrayed philipis to the Goths and proclaimed priscus emperor of the Roman proclaimed priscus emperor of the Roman proclaimed priscus emperor of the Roman empire under the generous protection of empire under the generous protection of empire under the generous protection of the gothic the gothic the gothic King this attempt to seize the empire in King this attempt to seize the empire in King this attempt to seize the empire in one Fell Swoop was short-lived though one Fell Swoop was short-lived though one Fell Swoop was short-lived though not only did priscus die shortly after not only did priscus die shortly after not only did priscus die shortly after becoming Emperor cause of death unknown becoming Emperor cause of death unknown becoming Emperor cause of death unknown but dius and his reinvigorated army but dius and his reinvigorated army but dius and his reinvigorated army arrived on the scene and slowly began to arrived on the scene and slowly began to arrived on the scene and slowly began to surround the gothic surround the gothic surround the gothic position aware that the siege had position aware that the siege had position aware that the siege had depleted his forces dangerously Cana depleted his forces dangerously Cana depleted his forces dangerously Cana decided it was time for the Goths to decided it was time for the Goths to decided it was time for the Goths to make their make their make their getaway they piled their carts high with getaway they piled their carts high with getaway they piled their carts high with accumulated treasure and made a run for accumulated treasure and made a run for accumulated treasure and made a run for the northern the northern the northern border confident both his numerical border confident both his numerical border confident both his numerical superiority and just the superiority of superiority and just the superiority of superiority and just the superiority of the legions in general Theus chased down

the legions in general Theus chased down the legions in general Theus chased down the fleeing Goths and made every effort the fleeing Goths and made every effort the fleeing Goths and made every effort to fight them as soon as to fight them as soon as to fight them as soon as possible a decisive battle would prove possible a decisive battle would prove possible a decisive battle would prove to the Goths that messing with Rome got to the Goths that messing with Rome got to the Goths that messing with Rome got you nowhere and would prove to the you nowhere and would prove to the you nowhere and would prove to the Romans themselves that the dominance of Romans themselves that the dominance of Romans themselves that the dominance of the legions was still a matter of fact the legions was still a matter of fact the legions was still a matter of fact not a matter of imagined not a matter of imagined not a matter of imagined reputation but boy did he wind up reputation but boy did he wind up reputation but boy did he wind up proving just the opposite the mistake Deus made was that he was so the mistake Deus made was that he was so eager to engage the Goths that he eager to engage the Goths that he eager to engage the Goths that he basically seeded the decision of where basically seeded the decision of where basically seeded the decision of where the battle would take place to the battle would take place to the battle would take place to caneva the gothic King chose a spot just caneva the gothic King chose a spot just caneva the gothic King chose a spot just south of the danu near the town of a south of the danu near the town of a south of the danu near the town of a brus and arranged his men in three lines brus and arranged his men in three lines brus and arranged his men in three lines strategically positioning the third line strategically positioning the third line strategically positioning the third line just behind some marshy swamp land so just behind some marshy swamp land so just behind some marshy swamp land so that the front Gothic ranks kept the that the front Gothic ranks kept the that the front Gothic ranks kept the sight screened from the sight screened from the sight screened from the Romans I won't say that the battle was Romans I won't say that the battle was Romans I won't say that the battle was already decided before the first spear already decided before the first spear already decided before the first spear was tossed but allowing Keva to pick the was tossed but allowing Keva to pick the was tossed but allowing Keva to pick the time and the place of the battle was a time and the place of the battle was a time and the place of the battle was a fatal fatal fatal blunder remember kids if there is one blunder remember kids if there is one blunder remember kids if there is one thing the history of warfare has proven thing the history of warfare has proven thing the history of warfare has proven again and again it's that like real again and again it's that like real again and again it's that like real estate the name of the game is location estate the name of the game is location estate the name of the game is location location location location location don't let your enemy pick the location don't let your enemy pick the location don't let your enemy pick the battle site chances are the spot he will battle site chances are the spot he will battle site chances are the spot he will pick is a spot that complement his pick is a spot that complement his pick is a spot that complement his strengths and negates yours strengths and negates yours strengths and negates yours if he offers battle someplace you're not if he offers battle someplace you're not if he offers battle someplace you're not sure of avoid the temptation to fight it sure of avoid the temptation to fight it sure of avoid the temptation to fight it out and instead focus on drawing him

out and instead focus on drawing him out and instead focus on drawing him into a spot of your choosing I can into a spot of your choosing I can into a spot of your choosing I can promise you you will like the results a promise you you will like the results a promise you you will like the results a whole lot better just ask beius according to Legend the Battle of beius according to Legend the Battle of a brus started ominously for the Romans a brus started ominously for the Romans a brus started ominously for the Romans as herius was struck by an arrow and as herius was struck by an arrow and as herius was struck by an arrow and killed in the opening minutes of the killed in the opening minutes of the killed in the opening minutes of the fight Theus however used the shocking fight Theus however used the shocking fight Theus however used the shocking death of his son as a way to Rally his death of his son as a way to Rally his death of his son as a way to Rally his men crying out let no one mourn the men crying out let no one mourn the men crying out let no one mourn the death of one soldier is no great loss to death of one soldier is no great loss to death of one soldier is no great loss to The The The Republic this stirring scene is of Republic this stirring scene is of Republic this stirring scene is of course apocryphal but I figured I'd pass course apocryphal but I figured I'd pass course apocryphal but I figured I'd pass it along since that was the way the it along since that was the way the it along since that was the way the Romans told the story to each Romans told the story to each Romans told the story to each other regardless the moment was soon other regardless the moment was soon other regardless the moment was soon forgotten as the legions plunged into forgotten as the legions plunged into forgotten as the legions plunged into the damp hell that awaited them in front the damp hell that awaited them in front the damp hell that awaited them in front of that third Gothic line the legions pushed the Goths back and the legions pushed the Goths back and pushed the Goths back and pushed the pushed the Goths back and pushed the pushed the Goths back and pushed the Goths back leaving the Romans with the Goths back leaving the Romans with the Goths back leaving the Romans with the impression that the battle was now going impression that the battle was now going impression that the battle was now going great the first Gothic line broke and great the first Gothic line broke and great the first Gothic line broke and then the second gave way and the Romans then the second gave way and the Romans then the second gave way and the Romans pursued the fleeing barbarians with pursued the fleeing barbarians with pursued the fleeing barbarians with Reckless abandon sure that victory was Reckless abandon sure that victory was Reckless abandon sure that victory was just within their just within their just within their grasp but the legions pursued the grasp but the legions pursued the grasp but the legions pursued the fleeing Goths right into the marshlands fleeing Goths right into the marshlands fleeing Goths right into the marshlands and right into caneva and right into caneva and right into caneva trap bog down in the Marsh the Romans trap bog down in the Marsh the Romans trap bog down in the Marsh the Romans were surrounded by the last Gothic line were surrounded by the last Gothic line were surrounded by the last Gothic line Fierce combat followed but the terrain Fierce combat followed but the terrain Fierce combat followed but the terrain was too much for the Romans to overcome

was too much for the Romans to overcome was too much for the Romans to overcome and the battle turned into a and the battle turned into a and the battle turned into a Slaughter Theus himself disappeared in Slaughter Theus himself disappeared in Slaughter Theus himself disappeared in the fighting and his body was never the fighting and his body was never the fighting and his body was never recovered from the swamp he was 50 years recovered from the swamp he was 50 years recovered from the swamp he was 50 years old and had ruled the empire for 2 years the governor of upper micia a years the governor of upper micia a general named trabon Anis gallus was general named trabon Anis gallus was general named trabon Anis gallus was left in in command of the remnants of left in in command of the remnants of left in in command of the remnants of the Roman army and soon after the battle the Roman army and soon after the battle the Roman army and soon after the battle he negotiated a peace with he negotiated a peace with he negotiated a peace with Keva the Goths would be allowed to leave Keva the Goths would be allowed to leave Keva the Goths would be allowed to leave Roman territory unmolested with all the Roman territory unmolested with all the Roman territory unmolested with all the treasure they had accumulated which yeah treasure they had accumulated which yeah treasure they had accumulated which yeah it's not like the Romans could have it's not like the Romans could have it's not like the Romans could have stopped caneva from doing anything he stopped caneva from doing anything he stopped caneva from doing anything he wanted anyway but the Roman general also wanted anyway but the Roman general also wanted anyway but the Roman general also worked out a deal that would pay caneva worked out a deal that would pay caneva worked out a deal that would pay caneva an annual tribute in exchange for the an annual tribute in exchange for the an annual tribute in exchange for the gothic King agreeing to stay out of gothic King agreeing to stay out of gothic King agreeing to stay out of Roman Roman Roman territory this last bit became the territory this last bit became the territory this last bit became the source of a later rumor that galus had source of a later rumor that galus had source of a later rumor that galus had actually conspired with Keva before the actually conspired with Keva before the actually conspired with Keva before the battle to ensure a Roman defeat but battle to ensure a Roman defeat but battle to ensure a Roman defeat but given all the other circumstances of the given all the other circumstances of the given all the other circumstances of the battle and his later conduct there is no battle and his later conduct there is no battle and his later conduct there is no reason to believe that galus had reason to believe that galus had reason to believe that galus had anything at all to do with the defeat at anything at all to do with the defeat at anything at all to do with the defeat at a brius the Battle of a brius was one of brius the Battle of a brius was one of the most shocking setbacks in Roman the most shocking setbacks in Roman the most shocking setbacks in Roman history though not quite as history though not quite as history though not quite as existentially terrifying as canny the existentially terrifying as canny the existentially terrifying as canny the results of the battle still came was a results of the battle still came was a results of the battle still came was a mortal shock to the folks back home the mortal shock to the folks back home the mortal shock to the folks back home the emperor was dead his army destroyed who emperor was dead his army destroyed who emperor was dead his army destroyed who or what is going to protect us

or what is going to protect us or what is going to protect us now dius had set out to prove that the now dius had set out to prove that the now dius had set out to prove that the Romans were still the biggest kid on the Romans were still the biggest kid on the Romans were still the biggest kid on the Block and had wound up proving exactly Block and had wound up proving exactly Block and had wound up proving exactly the opposite and this new Gothic Terror the opposite and this new Gothic Terror the opposite and this new Gothic Terror filled the Romans with a dread they had filled the Romans with a dread they had filled the Romans with a dread they had not really felt since the days of not really felt since the days of not really felt since the days of Hannibal how are we going to survive if Hannibal how are we going to survive if Hannibal how are we going to survive if our supposedly Invincible Legions are so our supposedly Invincible Legions are so our supposedly Invincible Legions are so easily destroyed easily destroyed easily destroyed there was no ready answer and the there was no ready answer and the there was no ready answer and the citizens of the Empire began to live citizens of the Empire began to live citizens of the Empire began to live with a fear in their hearts that they with a fear in their hearts that they with a fear in their hearts that they had never experienced had never experienced had never experienced before really at that moment it did not before really at that moment it did not before really at that moment it did not seem like the end was that far seem like the end was that far seem like the end was that far off I want to end this week with a quick off I want to end this week with a quick off I want to end this week with a quick note on the note on the note on the tours the first trip as I already tours the first trip as I already tours the first trip as I already mentioned is sold out but we do have mentioned is sold out but we do have mentioned is sold out but we do have some space available on trips 2 and some space available on trips 2 and some space available on trips 2 and three which will run from May 17 to May three which will run from May 17 to May three which will run from May 17 to May 26 and from May 28 to June 7 26 and from May 28 to June 7 26 and from May 28 to June 7 respectively it will be exactly the same respectively it will be exactly the same respectively it will be exactly the same itinerary just over a different span of itinerary just over a different span of itinerary just over a different span of days so if the first set of dates didn't days so if the first set of dates didn't days so if the first set of dates didn't work out for you or you thought you had work out for you or you thought you had work out for you or you thought you had already missed your chance to go then by already missed your chance to go then by already missed your chance to go then by all means Come Along on one of the other all means Come Along on one of the other all means Come Along on one of the other trips I should also note that we have trips I should also note that we have trips I should also note that we have removed the transatlantic airfare from removed the transatlantic airfare from removed the transatlantic airfare from the tour the tour the tour package once we started to get a feel package once we started to get a feel package once we started to get a feel for what would work out best for for what would work out best for for what would work out best for everyone especially since so many everyone especially since so many everyone especially since so many international travel will be along it international travel will be along it international travel will be along it became obvious that the airfare to Rome became obvious that the airfare to Rome became obvious that the airfare to Rome and from Istanbul was more of a and from Istanbul was more of a and from Istanbul was more of a hindrance than a help to most people so hindrance than a help to most people so hindrance than a help to most people so we made the decision to drop that part we made the decision to drop that part we made the decision to drop that part of the

of the of the package we will by all means help package we will by all means help package we will by all means help everyone make the proper Arrangements everyone make the proper Arrangements everyone make the proper Arrangements but just know that the price you see no but just know that the price you see no but just know that the price you see no longer includes those longer includes those longer includes those tickets so the history of Rome tickets so the history of Rome tickets so the history of Rome tour.com act now because as they say tour.com act now because as they say tour.com act now because as they say good seats are still available but won't good seats are still available but won't good seats are still available but won't be forever be forever be forever [Music]