THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPEROR AND SENATE IN THE THIRD CENTURY CRISIS OF ROME

Abstract

The 3rd century crisis started a process of collapse that was felt in all areas of Roman Empire. The Senate, the source of legitimacy of the state, was also affected by this collapse process. Simultaneously, each military unit, without seeking the Approval of Senate, declared its commander as emperor in different regions of the Empire. The emperors tried to get the support of the army instead of getting the approval of the Senate. The rule of Maximiaus Thrax, who came to power with the support of his soldiers in 235, was the first stage that broke the positive relationship between the senate and the emperor. During the Gallienus’ rule, the reduction of the military and administrative powers of senate caused it to remain a symbolic institution. The instability caused by military anacrhy showed that in 275, the senate should again be an authority on the election of emperor. With the election of the new emperor, senate sovereginty was established for a short time. However this emperor which legitimizde by the senate was also removed from power by a military coup. The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between the emperor who constantly increased his power throughout the crisis and the senate.

Keywords

• Roman Empire
• 3rd century crisis
• Senate
• Emperor

ROMA III. YÜZYIL KRİZİNDE İMPARATOR SENATUS İLİŞKİLERİ

Abstract

M.S. 235 yılında imparator Severus Alexander’ın (222-235) suikastını izleyen yaklaşık elli yıllık dönemde Roma İmparatorluğu’nun her alanında yaşanan kriz siyasi kurumlarının gerilemesine de yol açmıştır. İmparatorların sürekli askeri darbelerle iktidara geldikleri kriz döneminde tahttan indirilmeleri de askeri darbelerle olmuştur. Bu askeri darbelere rağmen güç ve yetkiyi elinde toplayan imparatorun gücü ve etkisi sürekli olarak artarken, Roma’nın Cumhuriyet döneminden beri önemli kurumu olan senatus ise sürekli olarak bir güç kaybı yaşamıştır. Üçüncü yüzyıl boyunca imparatorların senatus’un ve senatörlerin gücünü ortadan kaldırmaya çalıştıkları ve bu çabanın Diocletianus’un (284-305) iktidar döneminde doruğa ulaştığı görülmektedir.

Keywords

• Roma
• İmparator
• Senatus
• Aurelianus
• Maximianus

References

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