In 284 a military revolt saved the Empire and Diocletian was proclaimed emperor. The persecution of an ever growing Christian minority by Diocletain was a way to rid the empire of the dangers it was facing. Many put in doubt their religious beliefs, especially with the arrival of new doctrines from the East. This in turn impoverished the population and many lost their identity and values. The emperors of this time had one sole purpose: fighting the Empire’s enemies and securing the borders.Īs a consequence of these constant wars the army was very expensive to maintain, and thus the Empire became crippled with debts. This era is known as the military anarchy and lasted about fifty years. The pressure of these raids prompted the army to assume power in 235. Between 235 and 300 Rome’s only priority was to defend its borders from the continuous attacks by the Barbarians and from the Sasanians (from Persia). The absolute power of Rome, capital of the Empire, was weakened over time. He was replaced by Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus. The accession of Septimius Severus (197 – 235) made him the first of the Imperial Severan Dynasty to rule (197 – 235). These emperors had a very similar policy to the Flavians. The Flavian dynasty was succeeded by the Antonines (96 – 193), a generic name given to Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.

Three emperors fought for the power and finally the war was won by Vespasian, part of the Flavian dynasty. This dynastic succession was interrupted when emperor Nero died and a civil war broke out in the year 68. Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchinsīetween the years 14 and 68 the heirs of Augustus succeeded him: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero.

Roman rulers