1. Diocletian, Tetrarch, Constantine Audrey Palmer, Reeves Oyster, Bry Rechan

2. Diocletian-General Info 1.Ruled from 284-305 AD 2.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”

3. Diocletian-Life 1.Born 236/237 AD 2.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 famous 5.Known as being shrewd, able, and ambitious 6.Seeked victory rather than glory

4. Diocletian-Rule 1.Took over power after Carus struck by lightning 2.Roman Empire in turmoil - Emperors insecure 3.Brought the army under control a.Separated army into “border troops” 4.Goal: Restore effective government and economic prosperity 5.Economy a.Revised tax system b.Identified “compulsory services” 6.Abdicated after 20 years - tired

5. Tetrarchy-The Basics 1.A form of government where power is divided among 4 people 2.Instituted by Diocletian in 293 3.Lasted until 313

6. Tetrarchy-The Specifics 1.Imperial Players a.2 Senior Emperors i.Maximilian (West) ii.Diocletian (Southeast) b.2 Junior tetrarchs i.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

7. Tetrarchy-Why? 1.Epidemic outbreak 2.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.

8. 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

9. Constantine-Politics 1.New Capital a. Rome not in a good location b. Citizens angry with Constantine because conversion to Christianity c. New Capital=Constantinople 2.New Constitution a. Despotism= a single entity (emperor) rules with absolute power b. 4 Great Praefectures- East, Illyricum, Italy, Gaul

10. Constantine-Religion 1.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