Abstract This paper relates that the Emperor Diocletian rose through the orders by virtue of military skill, brilliance, and flexible scruples and how in preparation for his retirement, Diocletian had built a huge structure on the Dalmatian coast, a few miles from Salona. It also looks at how what began as a villa eventually became a a permanent settlement as the city of Split developed.
From the Paper "While there will probably never be definitive evidence of when the inhabitation which became Split took place, it is unlikely that the palace was ever entirely derelict. It was simply to fine a resource to pass up, and while it may have been many decades before there was any substantial permanent settlement here, it seems highly doubtful that the palace was ever truly deserted. (Wilkes, 88) While the precise nature of the inhabitation at Split during the early years remains questionable, the city always seems to have been regarded as autonomous, and by the time Constantine Porphyrogenitus chronicled it, it was essentially independent and remained so until the Venetians gained control in the fifteenth century. (Plommer, 256) "
This paper discusses the political structure under Diocletian's reign during the waning years of the Roman Empire as Rome turned its energy against the growing Christian church.
Abstract This paper explains that the Christians were singled out because they rejected the everyday, pagan lifestyle of Rome; no one likes the outcasts of a social order. The author points out that the Jews were allowed to live peacefully because they were perceived as a national, cultural heritage, which Rome had learned to tolerate, but the Christian church raised the ire of Rome because of its evangelistic efforts. The paper states that Diocletian, Pliny, and those who persecuted the Christian church for decades did not realize that their efforts to destroy a small sect only served as a catalyst to strengthen and harden the church's resolve to expand its influence throughout the Roman world.
From the Paper "As the power was divested among the different provinces and between the sometimes cooperative, sometimes competitive leaders, the sense of absolute ruler was slipping away. In the Eastern territory, possibly because of its distance from Rome, Diocletian took steps to firmly establish his reign. The Roman emperor has always walked a fine line between secular authority and assumed divine inspiration. The pantheon of Roman gods and goddesses was slowly evolving to include the emperor, and his divine royalty. In the west, the consulship became the personal power block of a narrow circle of aristocratic Roman families. In the East, the office tended to be monopolized by emperors, or used by them to reward both military and civic service."
Abstract This paper examines how the Roman Empire, while maintaining a measure of personal freedom for many of its subjects, did not allow religious freedom to prosper under its rule. It looks at how Rome mingled the identity of the Caesar with that of its pantheon of gods and how, in order to be an accepted Roman citizen, a person had to be willing to bow down to the Emperor. It explores the spread of Christianity within the Roman Empire and attempts to understand the events that led up to Diocletian's edict and Constantine's Edict of Milan, which reversed Diocletian's policy. It does this through an analysis of the political setting of Rome and the slow erosion of Roman authority.
From the Paper "Due to the size of the empire, Diocletian created a division of power and responsibilities for administrative purposes. He divided the empire into two spheres, eastern and western. The division was enforced sporadically and became permanent with Arcadius and Honorius in 395 AD. Diocletian devised a system of co-emperors, which included two co-ruling senior emperors, one in the east, and the other in the west who each chose an assistant who would be mentored as his successor. This system was called the tetrarchy. The senior rulers were titled "Augustus" while their sub-rulers were entitled "Caesars". Imperial edicts could be issued in the names of all four of the emperors and Caesars, or in any of their names."
Abstract This paper analyzes the Third Century crisis when the Roman Empire suffered many losses of territory and leadership changes. It discusses the problems faced by the empire and details the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine. It concludes with a look at the effects of these reforms.
From the Paper "The third century was the time of crisis for the Roman Empire. Several German tribes overcame the empire's European provinces, the Palmyra were after the Asian lands and one after the other emperors were being killed for power. Diocletian and Constantine made efforts to save the empire from the invaders and intruders."
Abstract This seven-page paper looks at the democracy of Rome and the changes made by the Emperors Diocletian (284-305 CE) and Constantine (308-337 CE) in their efforts to stabilize the failing Roman Empire.
Abstract The paper describes the birth of the Roman republic and the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and notes the aspects that are common to the Roman and the Greek cultures. The paper then discusses the end of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire that was marked by the naming of Octavian Augustus emperor for life. The paper outlines the era of the Five Good Emperors and focuses on Diocletian and Constantine who were some of the most important figures of the Roman Empire at that time and had a role in the spread of Christianity. Finally, the paper overviews the main reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire.
From the Paper "The history of the Roman republic and then empire represents one of the most important segments of the history of the world. It represents the first elements of the organization of the state. However, at the same time the development of the system of government pointed out the different means through which a community can evolve from a political point of view. From the early days of the republic to the late years of the Empire, the Roman state and its institutions were a representative example for the political development of a form of government."
A letter written to the Roman Emperor Diocletian, on the various aspects and causes for the rise of the Christian religion in light of the book, "The Rise of Christianity" by Rodney Starks.
Abstract The letter explains that the reasons for the continued success of the Christian religion in the Roman empire lies in its policies of tolerating alien gods, the belief and practice of martyrs which strengthened the Christian religion, and the willingness of the elite, the educated and the general masses in accepting the Christian religion.
From the Paper "My dear Emperor, another reason for the speedy rise and growth of Christianity amongst the Romans is our belief in many gods, and their strong belief in one god, also termed as Monotheism. As you are well aware, that Roman Pagan religion does accept the presence of a dominant god, yet, the presence of other gods makes our religion polytheism, and it is here where our true conflict begins."
Abstract This paper provides a history of the Church's evolution during the Middle Ages. The paper describes how the merging of political and church power, from the time of Constantine up to the time of Martin Luther, turned the Church away from its mission of world evangelism to one of self-aggrandizement, power acquisition, and military rule. A chronological account of major events during the period covered by the paper and an outline of the paper are included.
From the Paper "The merging of state and religious power began the decline of true Christian influence in Europe. The Roman Empire had begun a slow state of decline toward the late 300?s, as the military had conquered as far north as the Germanic tribes, and into the British Isles, east to turkey and west to Spain. Roman rule defined the known world, but the political will to expand the empire soon thereafter began to wane. The people tired of war, and the politicians were turning their attention to personal desires in Rome."
