Classical Studies 3490F/G Lecture 7: Classical Studies 3490 Lecture Notes January 30 2019
31 Jan 2019
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303 ce: the ten year anniversary of the tetrarchy. It is said that the members of the tetrarchy made their way back to rome: this year also marked the beginning of the eight years of christian persecutions, diocletian had already been in control for 18 years. It is odd that he would introduce this new administrative practice this far into his reign: the relationship between the roman gods and the state was not good. It was claimed that the gods were punishing the romans because people were turning to a new religion: christianity was undermining the roman religion. Diocletian, as being of a timorous disposition, was a searcher into futurity, and during his abode in the. East he began to slay victims, that from their livers he might obtain a prognostic of events; and while he sacrificed, some attendants of his, who were christians, stood by, and they put the immortal sign on their foreheads.
