GALLIC Empire VS ROMAN Empire: The Breakaway State and the Crisis of the 3rd Century

Between 260 and 274 AD, the western provinces of the Roman Empire broke away from the Empire. The territories of Germania, Gaul, Britannia and even Hispania for a period formed a de facto separate state during a time when the Roman Empire itself almost collapsed.

The Gallic Empire was established by Postumus in 260 AD in the wake of barbarian invasions and instability in Rome. Postumus was a Roman Commander of Batavian origin who went on to rule as the Emperor of the Gallic Empire from 260 to 269 AD, when he was assassinated by his own troops. The Gallic Empire survived for another five years with different leaders, until it was retaken by Roman emperor Aurelian after the Battle of Châlons in 274, which took place in the north of modern France.

The Gallic Empire arose during the Crisis of the Third Century, a period of instability that almost caused the Roman Empire to collapse. It began 235 AD with the assassination of Emperor Severus Alexander by his own troops. This led to a 50-year period of instability caused by political rivals competing for power, barbarians invasions, economic crises and various other pressures nearly bringing Rome to her knees. There were at least 26 claimants to the title of emperor, mostly prominent Roman army generals, all vying for power. What could go wrong.

In fact, by 268, the empire had split into three competing states: the Gallic Empire to the West; the Palmyrene Empire (including the eastern provinces of Syria Palaestina and Aegyptus); and, between them, the Italian-centered Roman Empire proper.

Sources:

Gallic Empire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallic_...

Crisis of the Third Century https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_...

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