Diocletian Handout

Diocletian's life and accomplishments

originally named Diocles

born 236/237 at Salona on Dalmatian coast

died December 3, 316 at Split on Croatian coast

received little education

ruled as emperor from 284-305

put end to the Imperial Crisis (235-284)

laid groundwork for "Later Roman Empire" (second phase of the Roman Empire)

wife was Prisca and daughter was Valeria

both were Christians and Valeria was sacrificed during "Great Persecution"

resigned from office May 1, 305

made many military and economic reforms

made the "Tetrarchy" (a system that ruled the empire with four)

solved the problem of choosing new emperors (the Augusta in the Tetrarchy would choose a new Caesar)

after military reforms he made he conquered Alamanni, the Sarmatians, the Saracens, the Franks, the Persians and put down rebellions in Britain and Egypt

tried to help money currency but failed because there wasn't enough gold and silver

issued four harsh decrees in 303 with help from Galerius (this began the "Great Persecution"

This is how a "Tetrarchy" workss

Diocletian thought that empire was to big to be handled by one person he made a "Tetrarcht" so it would be ruled by four

285- he name Maximianus as first Caesar to control western half of empire

286-Maximianus promoted to Augustus (his successor would then be a Caesar and that person would choose the next Caesar)

293-Constantius and Galerius appointed as two new Caesars

Constantius assigned control of Gaul and Britain in west

Galerius assigned control of Balkans in east

Diocletian and Maximianus then oversaw the rest

"Tetrarchy" worked out well

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