Who Ruled Rome After Marcus Aurelius?

By Alice Nichols

Who Ruled Rome After Marcus Aurelius?

The Decline of the Roman Empire

After the death of the renowned Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius in 180 AD, the Roman Empire began to face a period of decline. This decline marked the end of the Pax Romana, a time of relative peace and stability throughout the empire. With Marcus Aurelius’ passing, Rome faced a series of weak and ineffective rulers who struggled to maintain control.

The Severan Dynasty (193-235 AD)

Following a period of political instability, the Severan Dynasty emerged as rulers of Rome. Septimius Severus, a prominent military general from North Africa, became emperor in 193 AD.

He aimed to restore stability and strengthen imperial authority. Severus successfully fought against rival claimants to power and reestablished order within the empire.

Severus was succeeded by his two sons, Caracalla and Geta. However, their co-rule was short-lived due to their intense rivalry. Caracalla eventually murdered his brother Geta in 211 AD and assumed sole control over Rome.

  • Caracalla’s Reign (211-217 AD)

During Caracalla’s reign, he implemented several significant reforms. Most notably, he granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire.

This act aimed to increase loyalty and unity among its subjects. However, his reign was marred by his tyrannical nature and heavy taxation policies.

  • Macrinus (217-218 AD)

Macrinus seized power after assassinating Caracalla but failed to gain acceptance among both the Senate and army due to his low social status as an equestrian. His reign lasted for only a year before he was overthrown by Elagabalus.

  • Elagabalus (218-222 AD)

Elagabalus, also known as Heliogabalus, was a controversial figure in Roman history. He was notorious for his lavish lifestyle and disregard for Roman traditions. His reign was marked by religious reforms centered around the worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal.

The Crisis of the Third Century

After the Severan Dynasty, Rome faced a period of significant turmoil known as the Crisis of the Third Century. This era was characterized by frequent changes in leadership, military anarchy, economic instability, and invasions by external forces such as Germanic tribes and Sassanian Persians.

The Barracks Emperors

During this crisis, several generals and military leaders rose to power and claimed the title of emperor. These individuals were often appointed by their troops rather than through traditional succession methods. Their rule resulted in a lack of stability throughout the empire.

The Tetrarchy (293-313 AD)

In an attempt to restore stability, Emperor Diocletian implemented a new system known as the Tetrarchy. This system involved dividing power among four emperors – two senior emperors known as Augusti and two junior emperors referred to as Caesars. Each ruler had authority over a specific region within the empire.

Though initially successful in stabilizing Rome, this arrangement eventually led to power struggles and civil wars among the ruling factions.

Constantine and the Rise of Christianity

Amidst this chaos, Constantine emerged as a prominent figure who would shape the future of Rome. He became emperor in 306 AD and played a crucial role in legalizing Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 AD.

Constantine’s rule marked a significant shift in Rome’s religious landscape and set the stage for the eventual establishment of Christianity as the official religion of the empire.

Conclusion

After Marcus Aurelius, Rome experienced a period of decline and political instability. The Severan Dynasty briefly brought stability, but subsequent emperors struggled to maintain control.

The Crisis of the Third Century further exacerbated these challenges. Ultimately, it was Constantine who emerged as a transformative figure and laid the foundation for a new era in Roman history.

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