The Great Podcast David Fredrickson

The Tetrarchy was hanging on by a thread. The Empire was poised for war. But who would come out on top?

The abdication of Diocletian and Maximian was a monumental act. Never before had the most powerful men in the Empire voluntarily relinquished their Imperium. But what comes next? Perhaps the next generation of Tetrarchs can continue in Diocletian's great works.

Aurelian was dead due to a lie... No one wanted to take the mantle, and chaos and violence erupted yet again. But when the dust was settled, could an unknown cavalry bodyguard commander rise up and save the Empire?

The empire was as fractured as it had ever been. Gallienus had done all he could, but failed to bring it back together. But could an upstart cavalry commander do what Gallienus could not?

The Crisis of the Third Century was in full swing when Valerian was declared emperor. He raised his son, Gallienus, to the purple alongside him and the two would embark on the unenviable task of saving the Empire from utter chaos. But, will it be enough?

200 years of peace and prosperity are now at an end... With the fall of the Severan Dynasty, the Empire finds itself in the greatest crisis it has ever faced: 50 years of poor governance, invasions, and usurpers. Join as we look at the first half of the Crisis of the Third Century