Overall, in the Late Second Century to the Early Third Century Period, during that stretch of time, all the various dynasties inexplicably dug some vicious pits for their own descendants; the larger the empire, the bigger the pit it left, and the more miserably the later generations got screwed.
It kind of feels like this should be counted as a "historical leftover problem." Anyway, once the Second Century was over and they entered the Third Century, Parthia collapsed, Kushan collapsed, the Han Dynasty collapsed, and Rome went into the Dark Third Century—everyone slid straight into their most miserable state.
"Ardashir, my dear grandson, what are you trying to do this time?" Sassanid Fars looked at his grandson, who was charging over in high spirits, and asked with a smile.
