Dr. David Gwynn

Actually identifying the specific disease is always a problem with these ancient epidemics. And then in the 3rd century, because it is so unstable, even what would probably in previous times have been relatively minor epidemic outbreaks are having a bigger impact. Because there's less strength. Valerians army gets ravaged by plague before he gets captured.

Actually identifying the specific disease is always a problem with these ancient epidemics. And then in the 3rd century, because it is so unstable, even what would probably in previous times have been relatively minor epidemic outbreaks are having a bigger impact. Because there's less strength. Valerians army gets ravaged by plague before he gets captured.

Actually identifying the specific disease is always a problem with these ancient epidemics. And then in the 3rd century, because it is so unstable, even what would probably in previous times have been relatively minor epidemic outbreaks are having a bigger impact. Because there's less strength. Valerians army gets ravaged by plague before he gets captured.

Claudius Gothicus, as you've already alluded to, that appears to be his cause of death. He may well have died of illness rather than been murdered. We're not always certain, particularly with the very rapid turnover, but it's another factor in imperial mortality.

Claudius Gothicus, as you've already alluded to, that appears to be his cause of death. He may well have died of illness rather than been murdered. We're not always certain, particularly with the very rapid turnover, but it's another factor in imperial mortality.

Claudius Gothicus, as you've already alluded to, that appears to be his cause of death. He may well have died of illness rather than been murdered. We're not always certain, particularly with the very rapid turnover, but it's another factor in imperial mortality.

And obviously it's also going to be weakening wider society, manpower, and that means both the army but also the tax base, and taxation is getting harder and harder to maintain. But taxation is what separates the Roman Empire from, say, smaller, later medieval kingdoms. It's when you've got a solid tax system that you can have a professional standing army and try and control it.

And obviously it's also going to be weakening wider society, manpower, and that means both the army but also the tax base, and taxation is getting harder and harder to maintain. But taxation is what separates the Roman Empire from, say, smaller, later medieval kingdoms. It's when you've got a solid tax system that you can have a professional standing army and try and control it.

And obviously it's also going to be weakening wider society, manpower, and that means both the army but also the tax base, and taxation is getting harder and harder to maintain. But taxation is what separates the Roman Empire from, say, smaller, later medieval kingdoms. It's when you've got a solid tax system that you can have a professional standing army and try and control it.

So the instability of the army is linked to that wider issue of population plague. Famine.

So the instability of the army is linked to that wider issue of population plague. Famine.

So the instability of the army is linked to that wider issue of population plague. Famine.

It's an interesting feature of those plagues in the case of Carthage and Alexandria. The reason we're well informed on them is we've got Christian writers for whom this is a major concern. Now, in fact, Christianity is growing right through the third century, not least because Christians care for victims. And they care for victims regardless of their religion.

It's an interesting feature of those plagues in the case of Carthage and Alexandria. The reason we're well informed on them is we've got Christian writers for whom this is a major concern. Now, in fact, Christianity is growing right through the third century, not least because Christians care for victims. And they care for victims regardless of their religion.

It's an interesting feature of those plagues in the case of Carthage and Alexandria. The reason we're well informed on them is we've got Christian writers for whom this is a major concern. Now, in fact, Christianity is growing right through the third century, not least because Christians care for victims. And they care for victims regardless of their religion.

They don't make that distinction when it's a plague victim or an orphan. Are they Christian? That's not the point. They need to be supported. So we hear about these plagues from Christian bishops who are actively promoting support for them. Cyprian of Carthage is simply the best documented, because we've got a lot of Cyprian's letters and treatises.

They don't make that distinction when it's a plague victim or an orphan. Are they Christian? That's not the point. They need to be supported. So we hear about these plagues from Christian bishops who are actively promoting support for them. Cyprian of Carthage is simply the best documented, because we've got a lot of Cyprian's letters and treatises.

They don't make that distinction when it's a plague victim or an orphan. Are they Christian? That's not the point. They need to be supported. So we hear about these plagues from Christian bishops who are actively promoting support for them. Cyprian of Carthage is simply the best documented, because we've got a lot of Cyprian's letters and treatises.

It helped, of course, that North Africa wasn't being greatly disrupted.

It helped, of course, that North Africa wasn't being greatly disrupted.