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Was a period in which the Roman Empire nearly collapsed due to invasions and secessions. In particular, the period saw the creation of two secessionist states: the Gallic Empire andhe Kingdom of Palmyra.
Chronology
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Were a series of Barbarian invasions of the Roman Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century.
January 257: Dacia was upset with the crisis of the third century by continuous invasions by the barbarians, also due to the shape of its territories which extended beyond the Danubian limes, in the immense barbarian sea of Sarmatia. Already in 256 the emperor Gallienus was forced to abandon a large part of the territories of the North of the Three Dacias (ie all of Dacia Porolissensis and part of Upper Dacia).
January 274: Emperor Aurelian, due to the growing crisis along the Danubian borders, in addition to the secession of the Gallic Empire in the West and of the Kingdom of Palmyra in the East, was forced to evacuate the province of Three Dacias.
1.1.Germanic Invasions of 212-215
Was an invasion of the Roman Empire along the Rhine border by Germanic peoples.
January 212: Along the Germanic-Rhaetian limes the Alemanni confederation appeared for the first time (in 212). It was a group of peoples, grouped along the borders of the provinces of Upper Germany and Rezia. The breakthrough of the limes forced the emperor to rush along this strategic sector to stem a possible invasion of them the following year (in 213).
January 214: Other successes against the barbarian populations along the middle-lower course of the Danube should also be attributed to Caracalla, such as the Quadi, free Daci, Goths and Carpi in 214 and the first part of 215.
January 215: Other successes against the barbarian populations along the middle-lower course of the Danube should also be attributed to Caracalla, such as the Quadi, free Daci, Goths and Carpi in 214 and the first part of 215.
1.2.Vandalic Invasion (214)
Was an invasion of the Roman Danube region by the Vandals.
January 213: With the third century, starting from the years 213-214, there were new incursions into Dacia and lower Pannonia, along the Danube stretch around Aquincum, by the Vandals. The Emperor Caracalla, forced to intervene in person, managed to ask for help from the Marcomanni allies, opposing them to the neighboring Vandals who had been proving to be particularly hostile for some time.
1.3.Evacuation of the Agri Decumates
Romans controlled the Agri Decumates region until the mid-3rd century, when the emperor Gallienus (259-260) evacuated it before the invading Alemanni.
January 214: The Alemanni occupied part of the Acri Decumates region.
January 261: The Romans evacuated most of the Agri Decumates region before the invading Alemanni.
January 299: Alemanni expansion into the Agri Decumates, a region of the Roman Empire's provinces of Germania Superior and Raetia.
January 358: Alemanni expansion into the Agri Decumates, a region of the Roman Empire's provinces of Germania Superior and Raetia.
January 379: Alemanni expansion into the Agri Decumates, a region of the Roman Empire's provinces of Germania Superior and Raetia.
1.4.War against the Germanic tribes of 245-248
Was a series of military campaigns of Roman Emperor Philip the Arab against Germanic tribes in the Danubian area.
January 245: Starting from 245 he was forced to fight numerous peoples along the Danubian limes: the Carpi of free Dacia resumed making incursions beyond the Danube, in the territory of lower Moesia, where neither Severian nor the provincial governor could stop the invaders.
January 246: At the end of the first year of the war, Philip himself had to intervene, who in 246 reported a great success against the Germanic tribe of the Quadi along the Pannonian front, thanks to which he was given the nickname of Germanicus maximus.
January 247: In 247, the Roman offensive resumed along the front of the lower Danubian course against the Carpi, so much so that he was given new honors and the appellation of Carpicus maximus.
January 248: In 248 a new incursion by the Goths, who had been refused the annual contribution promised at the time by Gordian III, and by their associates Carpi, once again brought devastation to the province of Moesia Inferior.
1.5.Gothic War (249-253)
With the cessation of the payment of tribute previously made by the Roman emperor Philip the Arab (r. 244-249) to the tribes beyond the Danube, the Goths and their allies, led by King Ostrogotha and his subcommanders Argedo and Gundericus, moved towards the Roman border and began a series of attacks.
1.6.Battle of Abritus
Roman forces were dealt a bloody defeat by the Goths near modern Razgrad.
January 251: Roman forces were dealt a bloody defeat by the Goths near modern Razgrad. Decius and Herennius were killed.
1.7.Frankish Invasions during the Third century
Were a series of invasions of the Roman Empire by the Franks during the crisis of the third century.
January 254: The Franks are mentioned for the first time in 254 when they were stopped, together with the Alemanni, during their attempt to break through the Roman limes, by the young Caesar Gallienus, who for these successes earned the nickname of restitutor Galliarum and Germanicus maximus.
January 257: A new invasion on their part took place in 257 when they broke through the Rhenish front of lower Germany, and penetrated as far as Mogontiacum, where they were stopped by the onrushing legio VI Gallicana, of which the future emperor, Aurelian, was military tribune.
January 258: Still the Franks in 258, made a new incursion, wedging themselves in the imperial territories in front of Cologne, to then go as far as Spain (sacking Tarragona, up to Gibraltar and reaching the coasts of Roman Mauretania.
January 260: 260: Failed usurpations of Ingenuus and Regalianus in Pannonia.
January 268: Failed usurpation of Aureolus in the West. Emperor Gallienus murdered by his soldiers and Claudius Gothicus proclaimed Emperor.
January 275: With the death of Aurelian a new and massive invasion of Franks and Alemanni devastated the whole of Gaul in 275-276.
January 278: It is said that around 278 a group of Franks, who had been stationed in Pontus as prisoners of war, rebelled and took possession of some ships, carried out raids and devastation in Achaia, Asia Minor, North Africa up to the city of Syracuse, which they occupied and then returned home unharmed.
1.8.Gothic Invasion of Asia Minor
Was an invasion of Asia minor, in the Roman Emire, by the Goths.
January 254: At the beginning of 254 or at the end of the previous one, a new incursion of Goths affected the eastern part of the Empire, entrusted to the defense of Valerian, devastating all the territories of Thrace and eastern Macedonia up to Thessalonica.
January 255: In 255 again the Goths resumed their attacks, this time by sea, along the coasts of Asia Minor, after having commandeered numerous vessels at the Cimmerian Bosphorus.
January 256: It wasn't long before a new invasion of Goths crossed the Black Sea (in 256), again by sea but this time towards the western coast.
1.9.Battle of Mediolanum
Emperor Gallienus defeats the Alemanni to rescue Rome.
October 259: Emperor Gallienus defeats the Alemanni to rescue Rome.
1.10.Gothic Invasion of Dacia
Was an invasion of Dacia by the Goths during the migration period.
January 260: The Gepids were first mentioned around the year 260 AD, when they participated together with the Goths in an invasion of Dacia, where they later settled in the time of Jordanes (mid-6th century). In fact, the Goths, after arriving from Scandinavia in Scythia, gave rise to three tribes based on their geographical position: Visigoths (Goths of the West), Ostrogoths (Goths of the East) and Gepids (Goths of the North).
1.11.Invasions of the Juthungi
The Juthungi, a Germanic tribe, invaded Italy in 259-260.
January 260: In 259-260, the Juthungi, a Germanic tribe, invaded Northern Italy, specifically Raetia.
January 357: The Juthungi and Alamanni, Germanic tribes, invaded the Roman province of Raetia.
February 357: The Romans successfully repelled the invasion of the Juthungi and Alamanni in Raetia.
January 384: Barbarian invasion of Raetia in 383.
February 384: The second invasion of Raetia in 383 was repelled by the Roman general Magnus Maximus, who successfully defended the territory against the invading forces.
January 430: Invasion of the Juthungi in Raetia.
February 430: Roman general Aëtius defeated the Juthungi tribe in the region of Raetia in 430.
February 260: The Romans successfully repelled the invasion of the Juthungi in Raetia.
1.12.Gothic War (267-269)
Was a war of the Roman Empire against invading Goths and Scythians.
1.13.Alamannic Invasion of Italy
The Alemanni launched a major invasion of Gaul and northern Italy in 268, when the Romans were forced to denude much of their German frontier of troops in response to a massive invasion of the Goths from the east. Their raids throughout the three parts of Gaul were traumatic.
January 268: They launched a major invasion of Gaul and northern Italy in 268, when the Romans were forced to denude much of their German frontier of troops in response to a massive invasion of the Goths from the east. Their raids throughout the three parts of Gaul were traumatic.
1.14.Battle of Lake Benacus
Romans under Emperor Claudius II defeat the Alemanni.
January 268: Romans under Emperor Claudius II defeat the Alemanni.
1.15.Battle of Naissus
Roman forces decisively defeated the Goths at modern Niš, stalling an invasion of the Balkans.
January 269: Roman forces decisively defeated the Goths at modern Niš, stalling an invasion of the Balkans.
1.16.Vandal Invasion (270)
Was an invasion of Pannonia, in the Roman Empire, by the Vandals.
January 270: In 270, while the emperor Aurelian was in Rome to officially receive full imperial powers from the Senate, a new invasion generated panic, this time in the provinces of upper and lower Pannonia. But the prompt intervention of the emperor himself forced these German-Sarmatian populations to capitulate.
1.17.Battle of Fano
Was a battle between the Roman Empire and the Juthungi.
January 271: In 271, the Alamanni moved towards Italia, entering the Po plain and sacking the villages. They passed the Po River, occupied Placentia and moved towards Fano.
1.18.Campaigns against Germanic tribes of Emperor Aurelian
The Juthungi invaded Italy again in 271, defeating the Romans at the Battle of Placentia, but they were repulsed by Aurelian after the Battle of Fano and the Battle of Pavia.
January 272: The Juthungi, a Germanic tribe, invaded Italy in 271. They defeated the Romans at the Battle of Placentia but were later repulsed by Aurelian, a Roman Emperor, at the Battles of Fano and Pavia.
February 272: The Juthungi, a Germanic tribe, invaded Italy in 271 and defeated the Romans at the Battle of Placentia. However, they were later repulsed by Aurelian, the Roman Emperor, at the Battles of Fano and Pavia in 272.
1.19.Foundation of the Kingdom of the Goths
The Germanic tribe of the Ostrogoths established a kingdom in Dacia.
January 272: Hunnic conquest of Dacia.
1.20.Barbarian invasions during the reign of Probus
Were a series of Barbarian invasions during the reign of Roman emperor Probus.
January 276: In 276 the Vandals returned to invade the imperial territories, together with Lugi and Burgundians, along the stretch of the upper-middle course of the Danube.
January 278: In 278, Probus campaigned successfully in Gaul against the Alamanni and Longiones. Both tribes had advanced through the Neckar valley and across the Rhine into Roman territory.
January 278: Two years later, in 278, the Emperor Probus confronted the Burgundians and Vandals, who had come to the aid of the other Germanic tribes, and defeated them in Rhaetia.
1.21.Campaign against the Vandals
Campaign of Emperor Probus in Raetia, Illyricum and Lycia, where he fought the Vandals.
January 279: In 279–280, Probus was, according to Zosimus, in Raetia, Illyricum and Lycia, where he fought the Vandals.
1.22.Campaign of Diocletian against the Sarmatians
Was a military campaign by Roman Emperor Diocletian against the Sarmatians.
December 285: In the Balkans during the autumn of 285, he encountered a tribe of Sarmatians who demanded assistance. The Sarmatians requested that Diocletian either help them recover their lost lands or grant them pasturage rights within the empire. Diocletian refused and fought a battle with them, but was unable to secure a complete victory.
1.23.Gepid-Gothic War
The Gepids unsuccesfully attacked the Kingdom of the Goths.
January 290: The gepids unsuccesfully attacked the kingdom of the goths.
1.24.Second Campaign of Diocletian against the Sarmatians
Diocletian campaigned against the Sarmatians in 294, probably in autumn, and won a victory against them.
September 294: Diocletian campaigned against the Sarmatians again in 294, probably in the autumn, and won a victory against them.
1.25.Battle of Lingones
Caesar Constantius Chlorus defeats the Alemanni.
January 298: Caesar Constantius Chlorus defeats the Alemanni.
1.26.Battle of Vindonissa
Roman Emperor Constantius defeats the Alemanni.
January 298: Constantius again defeats the Alemanni.
1.27.Origin of the Frankish tribal confederations
The Frankish people was divided into two federations: the Salian Franks and the Ripuarian Franks.
January 301: In the 3rd century the Franks settled in central Europe. They were divided in two sub-federations: the Salian Franks along the coast of present-day Netherlands north of the Rhine and the Ripuarian Franks further south east of the great river which divided Barbaricum from the Roman Empire.
1.28.Campaign against the Picts and the Scots of Chlorus
Was the campaign of Roman Emperor Constantius Chlorus against the Picts in northern Britain.
January 307: Constantine obtained important successes against the Picti and Scoti populations, north of Hadrian's Wall.
February 307: After a military campaign by Constantine, the Romans leave Scotland north of Hadrian's Wall.
Was the secession of Postumus in 260 in the wake of barbarian invasions and instability in Rome. At its height, its empire included the territories of Germania, Gaul, Britannia, and (for a time) Hispania.
October 260: The Gallic Empire was established by Postumus in 260 in the wake of barbarian invasions and instability in Rome, and at its height included the territories of Germania, Gaul, Britannia, and (for a time) Hispania.
Was the death of the secessionist emperor of the Gallic Empire, after which Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus re-established Roman authority in Gallia Narbonensis and parts of Gallia Aquitania and possibly Hispania.
January 270: After the death of Postumus, the Gallic Empire began to decline. Roman Emperor Claudius Gothicus re-established Roman authority in Gallia Narbonensis and parts of Gallia Aquitania, and there is some evidence that the provinces of Hispania, which did not recognize the subsequent Gallic Emperors, may have re-aligned with Rome then.
Was the secession of most of the Roman east under Zenobia.
November 270: In 270 Zenobia managed to conquer most of the Roman east in a relatively short period, and tried to maintain relations with Rome. In 271 she claimed the imperial title for herself and for her son. In October of 270, a Palmyrene army of 70,000 invaded Egypt, and declared Zenobia queen of Egypt.
Gallic Empire Tetricus was able to re-take Gallia Aquitania and western Gallia Narbonensis while Roman Emperor Aurelian was engaging Queen Zenobia's Palmyrene Empire in the east.
January 271: Tetricus fought off Germanic barbarians who had begun ravaging Gaul after the death of Victorinus, and was able to re-take Gallia Aquitania and western Gallia Narbonensis while Roman Emperor Aurelian was engaging Queen Zenobia's Palmyrene Empire in the east.
Was a military campaign by the Kingdom of Palmyra leading to the conquest of eastern Anatolia from the Romans.
January 272: Afterward, in 271, Zabbai started the operations in Asia Minor, and was joined by Zabdas in the spring of that year. The Palmyrenes subdued Galatia, and occupied Ankara, marking the greatest extent of the Palmyrene expansion.
Roman Emperor Aurelian reconquered the secessionist Kingdom of Palmyra.
July 272: Battle of Immae.
July 272: The day after the battle, Aurelian arrived in Antioch where he found the city almost deserted: in fact, most of the inhabitants, frightened by the arrival of the Roman army, had fled.
January 273: In the meantime, the Emperor sent Probus to subjugate Egypt and headed towards Palmyra crossing the desert.
January 273: Emperor Aurelian subjected the cities of Apamea, Larissa and Arethusa, which spontaneously opened their gates to him.
January 273: Battle of Emesa.
January 274: Siege of Palmyra.
January 273: In his obedience, Aurelian reduced the province of Bithynia without encountering resistance and took Ancyra and Tyana.
The Battle of Châlons was fought in 274 between Roman emperor Aurelian and Emperor Tetricus I of the Gallic Empire, marking the end of the independent Gallic Empire.
April 274: The Battle of Châlons was fought in 274 between Roman emperor Aurelian and Emperor Tetricus I of the Gallic Empire. Fought in what is now Châlons-en-Champagne, France, it was the battle that marked the end of the independent Gallic Empire, and its unification back to the Roman Empire, after thirteen years of separation.
Crisis of the Third Century
