CLASSICS 1M03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 25: Praetorian Prefect, Diocletian, Absolute Monarchy
14 Apr 2015
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Diocletian restored stability to the roman empire. 286: diocletian returned to the system of joint rule. Appointed illyrian commander, maximian, to be co-emperor, rome had two augusti to handle administration of empire and its defence. 293: two caesars as subordinates to two augusti, tetrarchy. Each was responsible for a specific region of the empire. Diocletian had the east, galerian had northeast, maximian had west, constantius had northwest. Rome evolved from a city-state to a pan-imperial state, rome was the capital, in practice, the capital was where the emperor was. Romans were spending less time in rome, touring the empire and campaigning. With the tetrarchy, rome ceased to be the political capital of the empire. Tetrarchy was designed to stabilize the succession to the imperial throne. As caesar, men would gain experience in rule and securely established in power, succession without challenge. Systematic administration, empire was divided into 101 provinces, allow for more closer and detailed administration.
