Diocletian, Tetrarch, Constantine

Audrey Palmer, Reeves Oyster, Bry Rechan

Diocletian-General Info1.Ruled from 284-305 AD2.Put an end to “Military

Anarchy” or “Imperial Crisis” phase

3.Laid the groundwork for the second phase of the Roman Empire “Tetrarchy” or “Byzantine Empire”

Diocletian-Life1. Born 236/237 AD2. Born to low status family, rose

through military ranks to become Cavalry commander under Carus

3. Wife was Prisca, Daughter Valeria 4. Wanted to be famous5. Known as being shrewd, able, and

ambitious6. Seeked victory rather than glory

Diocletian-Rule1. Took over power after Carus struck by

lightning2. Roman Empire in turmoil - Emperors

insecure3. Brought the army under control

a. Separated army into “border troops”4. Goal: Restore effective government and

economic prosperity5. Economy

a. Revised tax systemb. Identified “compulsory services”

6. Abdicated after 20 years - tired

Tetrarchy-The Basics1.A form of

government where power is divided among 4 people

2. Instituted by Diocletian in 293

3.Lasted until 313

Tetrarchy-The Specifics1. Imperial Players

a. 2 Senior Emperors i. Maximilian (West)ii. Diocletian (Southeast)

b. 2 Junior tetrarchsi. Galerius (East) (Suppress

conflicts in Syria and Egypt)ii. Constantius (Northwest)

(Suppress revolts in Britain in Gaul)

2. Where?a. 4 Capitals

i. Nicomedia (Base for defense)ii. Sirmium iii. Mediolanum iv. Augusta Treverorum

Tetrarchy-Why?1. Epidemic outbreak2. Enemies attacking

a. Sassanid Persians from East

b. Germanic tribes from North

3. There was Roman Generals in the civil war to help control the empire.

Constantine-Rise to Power

1.312: Becomes official Western Roman Emperor

2.324: Defeats Licinius to become sole emperor- unifies Roman empire rules until 337

Constantine-Politics1. New Capital

a. Rome not in a good locationb. Citizens angry with Constantine

because conversion to Christianity

c. New Capital=Constantinople2. New Constitution

a. Despotism= a single entity (emperor) rules with absolute power

b. 4 Great Praefectures- East, Illyricum, Italy, Gaul

Constantine-Religion1. Edict of Milan (313)- first emperor to

legalize Christianity and allow freedom of worship

2. Attends Council of Nicea- meeting of churches to establish truth in controversial Christian doctrine a. Emperor=spiritual head of church

3. Credited with converting Roman empire to Christianity