Diocletian- Historical Investigation
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- Date Submitted: 11/16/2011 10:07 PM
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Ancient History assessment task- Historical Investigation
To what extent was Diocletian successful in his reforms?
Although not all of Diocletian’s plans and reforms for the Roman Empire were successful, he proved to be a successful ruler as the introduction of his reforms is what stabilised the Roman Empire. Introducing economic, administrative and social reforms, his actions laid the foundations for the division of the Roman Empire.
Diocletian saved an empire collapsing under its own weight. He reformed the way the empire was administered by introducing the division of responsibilities amongst a tetrarchy (rule of four). His reforms were often extreme and not always successful but ensured that for the twenty five years of his reign, the Roman Empire experienced stability.
Born in approximately 240AD, Diocletian began life as Diocles. It was the role of becoming commander of the Emperor’s bodyguard that is what stepped him up in the community’s eyes proving he has ability and commitment. He was elected as Emperor by the army in 284AD after the murder of the existing imperial dynasty.
His rein was autocratic, taking no account of other people’s wishes or opinions. All Romans had to lie before him and refer to him as “Our Lord”. Despite this, Diocletian worked hard for the empire he inherited.
Problems Diocletian faced and his actions proving him to be successful/unsuccessful:
Frontier Revolts
Diocletian inherited an empire collapsing under its own weight. The early third century was marked by an increasingly dominant army. It became customary for legions to offer the empire to the highest bidder. Civil wars soon broke out amongst rivals. This internal turmoil provided the perfect chance for opportunistic barbarians and client states to attack the empires’ frontiers. For the first ten years of his reign, Diocletian and his colleague Maximian were preoccupied with revolts in places as diverse as Gaul, Persia and Egypt as well as attacks from barbarian...
To what extent was Diocletian successful in his reforms?
Although not all of Diocletian’s plans and reforms for the Roman Empire were successful, he proved to be a successful ruler as the introduction of his reforms is what stabilised the Roman Empire. Introducing economic, administrative and social reforms, his actions laid the foundations for the division of the Roman Empire.
Diocletian saved an empire collapsing under its own weight. He reformed the way the empire was administered by introducing the division of responsibilities amongst a tetrarchy (rule of four). His reforms were often extreme and not always successful but ensured that for the twenty five years of his reign, the Roman Empire experienced stability.
Born in approximately 240AD, Diocletian began life as Diocles. It was the role of becoming commander of the Emperor’s bodyguard that is what stepped him up in the community’s eyes proving he has ability and commitment. He was elected as Emperor by the army in 284AD after the murder of the existing imperial dynasty.
His rein was autocratic, taking no account of other people’s wishes or opinions. All Romans had to lie before him and refer to him as “Our Lord”. Despite this, Diocletian worked hard for the empire he inherited.
Problems Diocletian faced and his actions proving him to be successful/unsuccessful:
Frontier Revolts
Diocletian inherited an empire collapsing under its own weight. The early third century was marked by an increasingly dominant army. It became customary for legions to offer the empire to the highest bidder. Civil wars soon broke out amongst rivals. This internal turmoil provided the perfect chance for opportunistic barbarians and client states to attack the empires’ frontiers. For the first ten years of his reign, Diocletian and his colleague Maximian were preoccupied with revolts in places as diverse as Gaul, Persia and Egypt as well as attacks from barbarian...