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Diocletian, Tetrarch, Constantine. Audrey Palmer, Reeves Oyster, Bry Rechan. Diocletian-General Info. Ruled from 284-305 AD Put an end to “Military Anarchy” or “Imperial Crisis” phase Laid the groundwork for the second phase of the Roman Empire “Tetrarchy” or “Byzantine Empire”.
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Diocletian, Tetrarch, Constantine Audrey Palmer, Reeves Oyster, Bry Rechan
Diocletian-General Info • Ruled from 284-305 AD • Put an end to “Military Anarchy” or “Imperial Crisis” phase • Laid the groundwork for the second phase of the Roman Empire “Tetrarchy” or “Byzantine Empire”
Diocletian-Life • Born 236/237 AD • Born to low status family, rose through military ranks to become Cavalry commander under Carus • Wife was Prisca, Daughter Valeria • Wanted to be famous • Known as being shrewd, able, and ambitious • Seeked victory rather than glory
Diocletian-Rule • Took over power after Carus struck by lightning • Roman Empire in turmoil - Emperors insecure • Brought the army under control • Separated army into “border troops” • Goal: Restore effective government and economic prosperity • Economy • Revised tax system • Identified “compulsory services” • Abdicated after 20 years - tired
Tetrarchy-The Basics • A form of government where power is divided among 4 people • Instituted by Diocletian in 293 • Lasted until 313
Tetrarchy-The Specifics • Imperial Players • 2 Senior Emperors • Maximilian (West) • Diocletian (Southeast) • 2 Junior tetrarchs • Galerius (East) (Suppress conflicts in Syria and Egypt) • Constantius (Northwest) (Suppress revolts in Britain in Gaul) • Where? • 4 Capitals • Nicomedia (Base for defense) • Sirmium • Mediolanum • Augusta Treverorum
Tetrarchy-Why? • Epidemic outbreak • Enemies attacking • Sassanid Persians from East • Germanic tribes from North • There was Roman Generals in the civil war to help control the empire.
Constantine-Rise to Power • 312: Becomes official Western Roman Emperor • 324: Defeats Licinius to become sole emperor- unifies Roman empire rules until 337
Constantine-Politics • New Capital • Rome not in a good location • Citizens angry with Constantine because conversion to Christianity • New Capital=Constantinople • New Constitution • Despotism= a single entity (emperor) rules with absolute power • 4 Great Praefectures- East, Illyricum, Italy, Gaul
Constantine-Religion • Edict of Milan (313)- first emperor to legalize Christianity and allow freedom of worship • Attends Council of Nicea- meeting of churches to establish truth in controversial Christian doctrine • Emperor=spiritual head of church • Credited with converting Roman empire to Christianity