Diocletian
245-313 A.D.
Diocletian assumed power in 284 A.D.
An astute administrator, he soon decided that the key to governing the vast
empire was to divide it. He ruled with Maximian in 285, and then added two
more "junior emperors" in 293, one of whom was Constantius, the
father of Constantine.
In 305 he abdicated and retired. Diocletian is probably best known otherwise
for his ten-year persecution of the Christians, which made him the frequent
villain of Christian literature in the Middle Ages.
Student Work:
Check
out a WEB SITE
Back to Rome
Back To The Figures List