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The Later Empire- a series of "Good Emperors" restored order, peace and prosperity
- the "Golden Age" of the empire - succession by adoption Crisis of the Third Century- the "Barracks Emperors" (235-284) - twenty emperors ruled during this period of time: leadership crisis. - increasing pressure from outside invaders - total chaos until 284: political & military - economic breakdown: failure of currency leads to
Diocletian (284-305)- summary: his reforms initiated recovery, though not all were lasting - political reform to stabilize succession: Tetrarchy [empire divided into two halves, each ruled by an "Augustus" with a "Caesar"] - administrative reform: reorganizes empire into smaller administrative units - economic reform:
- tax reform: simplified to taxation by property and by head - restrictions on individual freedoms to stabilize professions - drastic times called for drastic measures - persecution of Christians
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