The Flavian Dynasty was a short lived, but influential ruling dynasty in Roman history. The first Flavian ruler, Vespasian, came to power in 69 CE, bringing to an end the turbulent period known as the Year of Four Emperors. The Roman Coliseum (also called the Flavian Amphitheatre) was built during the reign of Vespasian and his successor Titus. During the reign of Titus, a great fire destroyed large parts of Rome and a devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius obliterated the city of Pompeii. The assassination of Domitian (the third and final Flavian Emperor) took place in 96 CE and brought to an end the rule of the Flavian Dynasty. Although the Flavian Emperors tried to conquer Dacia, this would not be completed until the reign of Trajan.

The Flavian Dynasty, which ruled from 69 to 96 CE, was succeeded by the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty. The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty begins with the reign of Nerva and ends with the reign of Commodus. The Nerva-Antonine Dynasty included the period of prosperity in the Roman Empire known as the rule of the Five Good Emperors.  

Vespasian was the last ruler of the Year of the Four Emperors. He founded the Flavian Dynasty, which ruled Rome for the next few decades. Vespasian rose to political prominence when he led the Roman suppression of the Judean Revolt in 66 CE. He was declared Emperor three years later.

The Flavian Amphitheatre is another name for the Roman Coliseum. Construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre began during the reign of Emperor Vespasian (the first Emperor of the Flavian Dynasty) and was completed during the reign of Titus in 80 CE. The Coliseum was the sight of all-manner of sporting events and could seat more than fifty thousand spectators.

During the Crisis of the Third Century, two breakaway empires were formed from territory controlled by the Roman Empire. These two empires were the Palmyrene Empire in the east and the Gallic Empire in the northwest. They both broke away from the Roman Empire during the reign of Gallienus. Gallienus ruled throughout much of the middle period of the Crisis of the Third Century and, in spite of his best efforts, was unable to prevent the splintering of the Roman Empire and incapable of leading the reunification movement.

Queen Zenobia was a ruler of the short lived Palmyrene Empire during the Crisis of the Third Century. She led a revolt (along with her husband) against the Roman Empire and helped form the Palmyrene state. She then led the conquest of Egypt (after her husband’s death) and ruled for a few years before she was captured by Aurelian and held hostage. Her empire would swiftly be reabsorbed into the Roman Empire.

The Palmyrene Empire was one of two breakaway empires of Rome which were formed during the Crisis of the Third Century (the other was the Gallic Empire). The Palmyrene Empire was situated in modern-day Syria, Egypt, and Asia Minor. It successfully defended Roman territory from the Sassanid Empire, but was eventually conquered by Aurelian and reabsorbed into the Roman Empire.

Alexander Severus was murdered, triggering the onset of the crisis. There were multiple plagues and the militia began ruling who would take the throne. It is easy to rule out the option that the economy was running well because this would not have triggered a crisis. Also remember that church and state were not attempting to separate at this time in the Roman Empire. The tricky part here is choosing whether famine was the main cause of the Crisis. However, looking to the facts we know that when Alexander Severus was murdered order in the empire fell rapidly leading to the onset of the famous crisis. 

The Battle of Emesa was fought in 272 CE between the forces of the Roman Empire, led by Aurelian, and the forces of the breakaway Palmyrene Empire. It ended in defeat for the Palmyrene Empire and allowed Aurelian to conquer and unify the Palmyrene Empire with the rest of the Roman Empire.

The Battle of Naissus was fought in 268 CE, between the forces of the Roman Empire (led by Gallienus) and an alliance of Gothic tribes. It was fought at the height of the Crisis of the Third Century and the victory of the Romans would prove something of a turning point in the crisis. The Romans completely annihilated the Gothic army and largely removed the threat of Germanic barbarian occupation of the Roman Empire (at least for a generation or two).