Roman Empire timeline (217-337 A.D.)

217-284: Crisis of the Third Century

260: Valerian murdered by Persians

268-9: Goths defeated

284: Diocletian restores order

284-305: Diocletian's reign (Tetrarchy)

301: Edict of Maximum Prices

303-11: The Great Persecution

305-337: Reign of Constantine

312: Battle of Mivian Bridge

313: Edict of Toleration

325: Council of Nicea

324-330: Constantinople founded

337: Constantine dies

History Shorts: The Edict of Milan (313 A.D.)

After Constantine won the Battle of Milvian Bridge, he assigned his victory to the Christian god. In response, he legalized Christianity, ended Diocletian's persecutions, and included incentives for the faithful. By the end of the century, church and state became one. Two hundred years later, the church became the only organization in Western Europe capable of preserving civilization and record keeping.
The first link is a student project. The second is from the Catholic Church.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5XeVWEFSO4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqLBeCmyaKY

History Shorts: The Battle of Milvian Bridge (312 A.D.)

Diocletian’s tetrachy disintegrated after his death. Constantine and others vied for control of the Roman Empire. The Civil War raged until Constantine defeated his final rival at Milvian Bridge. Prior to the engagement, Constantine saw something in the sky, which he interpreted as a sign from the Christian God. He placed the Christian symbol on his men’s shields and went into combat. Following his victory, Constantine credited his victory to the Christian god and legalized the religion.

Here is a dramatization of events:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_P0FZfPlSA

History Shorts: Diocletian becomes emperor (284 A.D.)

The Roman Empire collapsed in the early 3^rd century. Fifty or more emperors claimed the throne over a 50-year period. Finally, in 284, Diocletian ended the civil wars and internal strife. Diocletian split the empire in two with four emperors as governors. However, Diocletian himself was the ultimate authority and the emperor initiated political, military, and economic reforms. He restored stability to the empire, but the economy never recovered.

The first link is a documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apj1cVinudY

The second is a re-enactment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZZK408imak&feature=related

and some death metal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqrzgNucYQA

History Shorts: Commodus assassinated (192 A.D.)

The movie, Gladiator, claims Commodus murdered his father, Marcus Aurelius, to take power. According to the plot, Aurelius looked to restore the republic, but this is Hollywood rubbish. In 177, Commodus became co-emperor and assumed the throne by himself after the plague killed his father.

Commodus ruled alone for 12 years. He did fight in the arena and did not appear to be a very good ruler. Details are sketchy, but he apparently ruled in a cruel fashion. An athlete, perhaps a wrestler, maybe a gladiator, assassinated him in a bath. His death is chronicled in the 1964 film The Fall of the Roman Empire and 2000’s Gladiator. In the latter, Maxiumus kills Commodus in the arena.

Following Commodus’ death, the Roman Empire faced nearly a century of political and economic upheaval. Constant civil wars plagued the west and the economy never recovered. In 284, Diocletian finally restored order.


The following is from the classic “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9misNO8FOQ