Diocletian

Salona - amphitheatre - panorama

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Montemartini - Carino 1030439

Diocletianus (cropped)

Bust of Diocletian at the National Museum of Serbia (cropped)

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5 Aurei, Diocletian and Maximianus Herculius, Elephantenquadriga, Rome, 287 AD - Bode-Museum - DSC02724

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Diocletian (Latin: Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus Augustus; c. 244 – 311) was a Roman emperor who ruled from 284 to 305. He was born to a family of low status in the Roman province of Dalmatia. Diocletian rose through the ranks of the military to become emperor after the death of Carus and his sons. His reign marked the end of the Crisis of the Third Century and the beginning of the Dominate phase of the Roman Empire.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Diocletian was born in the Roman province of Dalmatia around 244. His early life is not well-documented, but he is believed to have come from a family of low status. He joined the Roman army and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a cavalry commander under Emperor Carus. After the deaths of Carus and his sons, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor by his troops on November 20, 284.

Reign

Diocletian's reign is noted for significant administrative, military, and economic reforms. He established the Tetrarchy, a system of rule by four emperors, to provide more effective governance of the vast Roman Empire. Diocletian ruled as the senior emperor, or Augustus, of the East, while Maximian ruled as Augustus of the West. They were assisted by two junior emperors, or Caesars, Galerius and Constantius Chlorus.

Administrative Reforms

Diocletian reorganized the empire's provincial structure, increasing the number of provinces and grouping them into larger administrative units called dioceses. This reorganization aimed to improve administrative efficiency and control over the provinces.

Military Reforms

Diocletian expanded and restructured the Roman army, creating a more mobile and flexible force. He also fortified the empire's borders and built new defensive structures, such as the Diocletian's Palace in Split.

Economic Reforms

To address the empire's economic problems, Diocletian introduced several measures, including the Edict on Maximum Prices, which attempted to control inflation by setting maximum prices for goods and services. He also reformed the tax system to ensure a more stable revenue stream for the government.

Persecution of Christians

Diocletian is perhaps best known for his persecution of Christians, which began in 303. This period, known as the Diocletianic Persecution, was the empire's last and most severe persecution of Christians. It involved the destruction of churches, the burning of scriptures, and the imprisonment and execution of Christians who refused to renounce their faith.

Abdication and Later Life

In 305, Diocletian became the first Roman emperor to voluntarily abdicate the throne. He retired to his palace in Split, where he lived out the remainder of his life. Diocletian died in 311.

Legacy

Diocletian's reforms had a lasting impact on the Roman Empire, stabilizing it and laying the groundwork for the Byzantine Empire. His establishment of the Tetrarchy, although short-lived, influenced the later division of the empire into Eastern and Western halves.

Related Pages

• Roman Empire
• Tetrarchy
• Crisis of the Third Century
• Maximian
• Galerius
• Constantius Chlorus
• Diocletianic Persecution
• Diocletian's Palace