Dominate

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Constantine Musei Capitolini

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Dominate refers to a period in the history of the Roman Empire characterized by an autocratic form of government. This era followed the Crisis of the Third Century, a period marked by civil war, economic instability, and invasions by barbarian tribes. The Dominate succeeded the Principate, the earlier phase of imperial Rome, which was established by Augustus. It began with the reign of Diocletian in 284 AD, who introduced significant reforms aimed at stabilizing and strengthening the empire. The term "Dominate" is derived from the Latin word "dominus," meaning "lord" or "master," reflecting the emperor's absolute authority.

Background

The transition from the Principate to the Dominate was gradual and marked by significant changes in the political and social structure of the empire. The crisis of the third century highlighted the weaknesses of the Principate system, prompting Diocletian to implement comprehensive reforms. These reforms included the tetrarchy, a system of rule by four co-emperors, aimed at addressing the empire's vast size and the multiple threats it faced on various frontiers.

Tetrarchy

The Tetrarchy was a cornerstone of Diocletian's reforms. It divided the empire into two western and two eastern parts, each governed by a senior emperor (Augustus) and a junior emperor (Caesar). This system was designed to facilitate more efficient governance and defense. However, the tetrarchy eventually led to conflicts among the co-emperors, culminating in the rise of Constantine the Great, who reunified the empire.

Reforms and Governance

Under the Dominate, the emperor's power became more absolute, and the Roman state took on a more bureaucratic and militarized character. Diocletian's reforms extended to the economy, with the introduction of price controls, and to the military, with the expansion and reorganization of the army. The administration of the empire was also overhauled, with the creation of new provinces and the establishment of a more centralized government.

Religion

The period of the Dominate also saw significant religious changes. Early in the era, Christians faced persecution, but with the conversion of Constantine to Christianity and the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, Christianity began to transition from a persecuted faith to the dominant religion of the empire.

Legacy

The Dominate period lasted until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, while the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, continued the legacy of the Roman state. The reforms initiated during the Dominate had a lasting impact on the structure of the Roman government and its military, influencing the development of medieval and modern European states.

See Also

• Crisis of the Third Century
• Principate
• Diocletian
• Constantine the Great
• Byzantine Empire