Short Biography about the life of Jotapian
Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Jotapian, Usurper Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire.

• Name commonly known as: Jotapian

• Latin Roman Name: Marcus Fulvius Rufus Jotapianus

• Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: A usurper who competed against Philip the Arab in 248 AD

• Dynasty / Historical Period: Crisis of the Third Century (235 - 284). Era of the Barracks Emperors (238 - 268)

• Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the legal Emperor before Jotapian was Philip the Arab

• Place and Date of Death: Jotapian died in Antioch in AD 248

• Name of next Emperor:  The next legal successor to Jotapian was Trajan Decius

Jotapian the Usurper - Roman Coins, or coinage
Jotapian was a usurper. Usurper is a term used to describe an illegal claimant to the throne without securing "the consent of the governed." Usurpers were a common feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards. Every new emperor, either legal or illegal, marked the beginning of his rule by minting new coins, both for the prestige of declaring oneself as Augustus and to pay the loyal soldiers their share. Roman coins, or coinage, is often the only evidence of a determined usurpation such as that of Jotapian.

Interesting facts about the life of Jotapian
Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Jotapian from the following facts and information about his life. Very little is known of the usurper Marcus Fulvius Rufus Jotapianus - Jotapian. Jotapian claimed descendance from Greek King Alexander the Great. He was an officer in one of the legions and seized power in Syria part of the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire in AD 248 during the reign of Philip the Arab. The rebellion led by Jotapian was in protest against the increase in taxation ordered by Philip. Jotapian made his base in Antioch. Jotapian was killed by his own men ending his play for power in AD 248.

Jotapian - Crisis of the Third Century - Era of the Barracks Emperors (238 - 268)
The Crisis of the Third Century was the period in Roman history following the death of Alexander Severus when Rome entered into the era of Military Anarchy commonly known as the Crisis of the Third Century. During the Crisis of the Third Century, lasting over 50 years, not one single Emperor died of natural causes. Revolts sprung up in virtually all of the provinces and ambitious men struggled for power. During the crisis there were civil wars, street fights between the citizens of Rome and soldiers of the imperial guard,  fierce foreign enemies, plagues, famines, fire and earthquakes. The "Barracks Emperors" (238 - 268) were all military generals who seized power by force. Taxation was high, the economy was failing and Roman territories were being captured by barbarians and the Roman government was unstable. During this uncertain era and violent environment the promise of an afterlife seemed to be the only thing to hope for. And people started to turn towards a new religion, Christianity.