Final answer:
In the third century, Roman society faced the Crisis of the Third Century, characterized by political instability, economic inflation, and frontier conflicts. High leadership turnover and internal civil wars disrupted governance, while confrontations with foreign powers such as the Germanic kingdoms and the Sasanians troubled the Empire's external affairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Third-Century Crises of the Roman Empire
The third century Roman society experienced a period of turmoil known as the Crisis of the Third Century. This period, from 235 to 284 CE, was marked by a combination of internal and external problems that threatened the stability of the Roman Empire. Leadership turnover was especially high, with approximately twenty-six emperors in just fifty years, most of whom were assassinated or died in battle. The continuity of governance was severely disrupted.
Internally, the empire faced ongoing civil wars and a shaky political structure. Economically, there was significant inflation caused by the devaluation of currency, which led to an increase in the price of goods. Socio-politically, there were conflicts on the Eastern and Western frontiers, notably with the Germanic kingdoms, Palmyra, and the emerging Sasanian Empire.
Roman soldiers often declared new emperors, contributing to the constant civil unrest. The period ended after various attempts at governmental and economic reforms aimed to stabilize the empire, but only with limited success.
Moreover, the rapid spread of Christianity added to the societal changes, though this influence became more pronounced later, in the fourth century, and is less a part of the third-century crises.