Lecture 22. The New Empire of Diocletian
I. Praise
A.
Mamertinus The Latin Panegyrics X (AD 289)
To
Maximian:“Founders of Rome...Saviors of Rome”
B. Divinity
Diocletian
Jovius / Maximian Herculius
Dominus
(lord and master) = Dominate
Ceremonial: clothing, diadems
II.The Tetrarchy
A.
Augusti (full emperors)
C.
Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus
(284-305) and
M.
Aurelius Valerius Maximianus
(286-305) (both Illyrian)
B.
Caesars (junior emperors)
C. Flavius Valerius Constantius (293-306)
C.
Galerius Valerius Maximianus
(293-311)
C.
Territories?
D.
Harmony (“brothers”, share titles)
E.
Abdication (305): Retires to Spalato / Split
III. Foreign Policy
A.
Gaul Bagaudae (citizen bandits)
B.
Britain (Saxon raids; Carausius the usurper; Constantius’ victory in 296)
C.
Danube (settlement of Carpi in Pannonia)
D.
Egypt (Domitius Domitianus, usurper 297-8)
E.
Persia (Capture of Nerses’ harem by Galerius 298)
F.
Fortification (systematic; strata Diocletiana “Diocletian’s paved
road” on eastern frontier > el Lejjun)
IV. Reform
A.
Army (60 legions of 1000-2000; duces (dukes); not create
mobile army)
B.
Provinces (50 >> 100 provinces; 12 dioceses; vicars; Praetorian prefects)
C.
Taxes (Capitatio-iugatio:caput (person) iugum (measure
of land))
D.
Coinage and inflation (aureus 1/60th
lb gold, argenteus 1/96th lb silver;
Edict on maximum prices 301)
V. Blame
A.
The Great Persecution (303-305)
B.
Lactantius The Deaths of Persecutors
