Summarizing the Third Century Crisis

[Sean Manning]

The structural causes of decline can start to exist before they become obvious I guess.

FWIW I believe that the Antonine Constitution had an effect - by increasing the number of those within the empire who were citizens it reduced the number who previously would have worked to achieve it and impress by public works, etc. A (partially) egalitarian move perhaps (whatever the motive) but maybe a blow to the underlying social structure of the empire?

Except that rich citizens were supposed to do public works, too. They could also campaign for office, and that cost even more money. It might have affected things lower on the social scale, I guess, but the lower classes would probably be pleased to gain the rights of a Roman citizen.

This is a very interesting thread, guys. I don't know enough about the third-century crisis to have much to add.