Aurelian and the Third Century

In his brief reign, Aurelian contributed more to the recovery of the Roman empire than any other individual of his time. He decisively repelled the German invaders threatening the Danube and crushed the enemies, Zenobia and Tetricus. Among his other achievements, he also introduced major monetary reforms and constructed the defensive walls around Rome that still bear his name to this day.

"Aurelian and the Third Century" provides a re-evaluation in the light of recent scholarship of the difficulties facing the Roman empire in the AD 260s and 270s, concentrating upon the reign of the emperor Aurelian and his part in surmounting them. It includes an introduction that examines the socio-cultural context of the mid-third century, and follows with a chronological examination of the military and political events of the period from 268 to 276 and an analysis of the importance of the achievements and events of Aurelian's reign.

Aurelian and the Third Century provides a re-evaluation, in the light of recent scholarship, of the difficulties facing the Roman empire in the AD 260s and 270s, concentrating upon the reign of the Emperor Aurelian and his part in summoning them. Withintroduction examining the situation in the mid third century, the book is divided into two parts: *Part 1: deals chronologically with the military and political events of the period from 268 to 276* Part 2:analyzes the other achievements and events of Aurelian's reign and assesses their importance. A key supplement to the study of the Roman Empire.

Preface. List of Abbreviations. List of dates. Maps. 1. Introduction: The Third-Century Crisis.Part I: 'Restorer of the World' 2. A Divided Empire 3. Aurelian Ascendent 4. Zenobia and the East 5. The Palmyrene Wars 6. War in the West: The Re-unification of the Empire 7. The End of AurelianPart II: Internal Politics 8. Economic Reforms 9. Public Works and Administration 10. The Emperor, the Senate and the Armies 11. The Emperor and the Divine Conclusion.Appendix A: Excursion on Sources. Appendix B: Problems of chronology. Bibliography. Index.

Alaric Watson has a PhD from King's College London in Roman history and has taught Roman history at the University of North London and Queen Mary and Westfield College. He is now a Barrister in Lincoln's Inn.