235–284 CEReputable sourceWell documented
The Crisis of the Third Century
On the timeline · around 235–284 CE ·
What happened
After the murder of the emperor Severus Alexander in 235 CE, the Empire fell into a half-century of near-collapse: dozens of short-lived 'barracks emperors,' repeated invasions, plague, economic breakdown, and the temporary breakaway of the Gallic and Palmyrene empires.
Why it matters
The Empire barely survived, and only sweeping reforms at the century's end restored stability — on very different foundations.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. The Crisis of the Third Century · Reputable source