In the Roman Empire, the only way anyone could ever hope to become Emperor was to promise that, somehow, the monthly distributions of money and grain, along with games at the Colosseum would continue. History shows that by the year 193 AD, government power began to change VERY quickly. Between 235-284, 25 different contenders for the throne were killed in what is now known as The Crisis of the Third Century. Economic depression was a major factor.