CLA231H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Didius Julianus, Severan Dynasty, Clodius Albinus
Document Summary
Tumultuous and confusing period- some relative stability, lots of civil war, imperial system failing, fragmentation of power in the empire, new power centres, greater importance of provinces, barbarian invasions, eventual change in system of government and end of principate. Informal split betw eastern and western roman empire / greek and latin formal with. [text] cassio dio [now contemporary]: on the death of aurelius: after rearing his son. Commodus in the best way, he was disappointed with him; kingdom descends from and age gold (5 good emperors) into iron and rust (sounds like livy) Guard auctions off the throne to didius iulianus, but continued instability after. Commodus means provincial commanders again come in to make their bid for power . Septimius severus: controls 16 legions of men, and his troops proclaim him their emperor; he marches into rome, didius is murdered, and he pays the right ppl to take power.
