Question

roman emperors, 235 - 285 ce
emperor\treign\tcause of death
maximinus\t235 - 38 ce\tassassination
gordian i & ii (co - rulers)\t238\tassassination
balbinus & pupineus\t238\tsuicide; killed in battle
gordian iii\t238\tassassination
philip the arab\t238 - 44\tpossible assassination
decius\t244 - 49\tkilled in battle
hostilian\t249 - 51\tkilled in battle
gallus\t251\tpossible plague
aemilianus\t251 - 53\tassassination
valerian & gallienus\t253\tassassination
\t253 - 60\tdied as slave of persians; assassination
claudius gothicus\t268 - 70\tplague
quintillus\t270\tassassination or suicide
aurelian\t270 - 75\tassassination
tacitus\t275 - 76\tpossible assassination
florianus\t276\tassassination
probus\t276 - 82\tassassination
carus\t282 - 83\tassassination
numerian\t283 - 84\tpossible assassination
carinus\t283 - 85\tkilled in battle
document analysis

1. how many roman emperors ruled during the 50 - year period covered by this chart? how many died a natural death? what was the most frequent cause of death of these men?
2. what message might these frequent and violent changes in leadership have sent to people of the roman empire?
3. what message might these frequent and violent changes in leadership have sent to people living outside the roman empire?
4. how does this document help explain the decline of the roman empire?

Explanation:

1. By counting the number of emperors in the chart, we find 20 ruled in the 50 - year period from 235 - 285 CE. Those who likely died natural deaths are Gallus (possible plague) and Quintillus (plague), so 2. Assassination is the most frequent cause of death, occurring in many cases.
2. Frequent and violent leadership changes within the empire could have signaled instability, lack of security, and a breakdown in the normal succession and governance systems to the people of the Roman Empire.
3. To those outside the Roman Empire, it could have signaled weakness, vulnerability, and an opportunity for external powers to take advantage of the internal turmoil.
4. The document shows constant internal strife and instability due to leadership changes. This instability would have disrupted governance, military effectiveness, and economic stability, all of which contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.

Answer:

1. 20 emperors ruled, 2 died a natural death, and the most frequent cause of death was assassination.
2. It signaled instability and breakdown in governance within the empire.
3. It signaled weakness and opportunity for external powers.
4. It shows internal strife and instability that disrupted governance, military, and economy, contributing to decline.