The Roman Reformer

In this episode of Dave Does History, we delve into the life and legacy of Emperor Diocletian, a transformative figure in Roman history. Proclaimed emperor on November 20, 284 CE, Diocletian inherited a fractured empire on the brink of collapse. From his humble beginnings in Dalmatia to his meteoric rise through the ranks of the Roman military, we explore the man behind the reforms that redefined Rome.

Discover the political intrigue that led to his ascension, the decisive Battle of Margus, and the innovative Tetrarchy that divided imperial power to stabilize the empire. We also tackle the darker side of his reign, including the infamous persecution of Christians and its lasting impact.

Tune in for a vivid, engaging narrative about one of Rome’s most pivotal leaders, packed with fascinating insights and the historical context that shaped his rule. Perfect for history buffs and casual listeners alike, this episode brings the past to life in a way only Dave Does History can!

Diocletian, the man whose reign would redefine the Roman Empire, was born in the small Dalmatian town of Salona, in what is now modern-day Solin in Croatia, around 244 CE. The world he entered was one of turmoil and transition, a fragmented empire teetering under the weight of external threats and internal decay. His story begins not with the trappings of power but in obscurity, with roots as modest as the empire’s fortunes at the time. The son of a freedman, Diocletian rose through merit—a testament to the unique Roman promise that even the low-born could ascend to greatness through service to the state.

Little is definitively known about his early life, a reality that lends his origin story an almost mythic quality. Some sources claim his original name was Diocles, a nod to his Greek heritage, and suggest that his youth was marked by a strong education in the classics, rhetoric, and the martial traditions of Rome. If his military prowess later in life is any indication, Diocletian must have taken well to his studies. By the time he joined the Roman army, he was a product of a system that valued discipline, strategy, and adaptability—traits that would define his career.

As a soldier, Diocletian served with distinction during an era when the empire was constantly at war. He earned a reputation for loyalty and tactical brilliance, rising steadily through the ranks. The legions of Rome in the third century were a crucible of hardship and camaraderie, a world where soldiers slept in their armor and marched under banners emblazoned with the eagle of Rome. Diocletian thrived in this environment. By the 270s, he had reached the upper echelons of command, serving in regions as diverse as the Rhine frontier and the eastern provinces, where he would have gained firsthand experience with the empire’s most pressing threats: barbarian incursions and the Persian menace.

This meteoric rise culminated in his appointment as commander of the imperial bodyguard under Emperor Numerian, a role that placed him at the heart of power—and within striking distance of destiny.

By the late third century, Rome was in crisis. The “Crisis of the Third Century,” as it came to be known, was a 50-year period of chaos marked by rapid turnover of emperors, external invasions, economic collapse, and civil unrest. Diocletian’s ascension came against this backdrop of instability, where the office of emperor was more a death sentence than a position of honor.

The empire’s troubles were multifaceted. The once-unshakable frontiers were under siege from all directions: Goths and Vandals to the north, Persians to the east, and Berber tribes pressing into Africa. Internally, Rome’s economy had spiraled into a state of disarray. A debased currency led to inflation, which further exacerbated a growing divide between the rich elite and the impoverished masses. Political corruption ran rampant, and military generals often seized power, only to fall victim to assassination or rebellion.

Yet amidst the chaos, Roman culture persisted. It was a time of vibrant intellectual life, with philosophers and historians chronicling the empire’s decline even as it unfolded. Christianity, once a fledgling cult, was gaining ground, sowing seeds of religious division that would come to define Diocletian’s reign. The Senate, though largely a shadow of its former self, still clung to its traditions, representing a nostalgic echo of Rome’s republican past.

Diocletian entered this maelstrom as a man shaped by military discipline and a vision of order. His rise to power was not merely a matter of seizing an opportunity but of stepping into a role that the times demanded: a leader who could impose stability on an empire buckling under its own weight.

The turning point in Diocletian’s career—and indeed, his life—came with the death of Emperor Numerian in 284 CE. Numerian’s mysterious demise during a campaign in the East created a power vacuum. Some accounts suggest foul play, implicating Numerian’s ambitious father-in-law, Aper, who served as the Praetorian Prefect. Diocletian wasted no time in addressing the crisis. When Aper was accused of orchestrating Numerian’s death, Diocletian personally executed him in front of the assembled army, declaring his innocence and his fitness to lead. It was here, before the legions, that Diocletian was proclaimed emperor.

But the road to undisputed rule was far from secure. Diocletian faced an immediate challenge from Carinus, the son of the late Emperor Carus, who ruled the western provinces. Carinus had a reputation for debauchery and incompetence, but he commanded significant forces and held the loyalty of Rome’s western legions. The stage was set for a confrontation that would decide the fate of the empire.

The decisive clash came at the Battle of Margus (modern-day Serbia) in 285 CE. Diocletian, leading a disciplined eastern army, faced off against Carinus’s larger but less cohesive forces. The battle was fierce, with the fate of the empire hanging in the balance. According to some sources, Carinus’s own officers turned against him during the fight, perhaps weary of his misrule or convinced of Diocletian’s promise of stability. Whatever the cause, Carinus was slain, and Diocletian emerged victorious.

This triumph solidified Diocletian’s position as the sole ruler of Rome, but it also marked the beginning of a reign that would seek not merely to govern the empire but to transform it.

Diocletian’s reign, spanning from 284 to 305 CE, was nothing short of revolutionary. Recognizing that the empire’s problems required systemic solutions, he embarked on a series of reforms that reshaped Rome’s political, military, and economic landscape. His most famous innovation was the establishment of the Tetrarchy, a system of government that divided the empire into four regions, each ruled by either an Augustus or a subordinate Caesar. Diocletian’s goal was to ensure stability through shared power, reducing the likelihood of rebellion and providing swift responses to threats.

Economically, Diocletian sought to stabilize the empire’s finances by reforming the tax system and introducing the Edict on Maximum Prices—a controversial attempt to curb inflation by setting price ceilings on goods and wages. Militarily, he fortified the frontiers and reorganized the legions, ensuring a more mobile and effective defense against Rome’s enemies.

However, Diocletian’s legacy is also marked by his persecution of Christians. Viewing the growing Christian community as a threat to Roman unity, he launched the Great Persecution in 303 CE, a campaign aimed at eradicating the faith through arrests, executions, and the destruction of churches and sacred texts. While the persecution failed to suppress Christianity, it left a dark stain on Diocletian’s reign and contributed to the empire’s religious divisions.

Diocletian’s decision to abdicate the throne in 305 CE was unprecedented. Citing poor health and a desire for retirement, he stepped down, retreating to his palace in Split—a sprawling complex that still stands as a testament to his enduring influence. His abdication marked the first voluntary resignation of a Roman emperor, signaling a remarkable self-awareness and a recognition that his work was complete.

Yet the legacy of his reign is complex. On the one hand, Diocletian’s reforms restored stability to a fractured empire, laying the groundwork for the relative prosperity of the fourth century. His administrative and military innovations endured long after his death, shaping the Byzantine Empire and influencing medieval Europe. On the other hand, his persecution of Christians underscored the limits of his vision, revealing a ruler who prioritized unity over tolerance.

Diocletian’s story is ultimately one of transformation. He took an empire on the brink of collapse and reshaped it into a more resilient, centralized state. While his methods were often harsh and his legacy is debated, there is no denying his impact. Diocletian may not have saved Rome, but he gave it the tools to survive—and in doing so, he earned his place as one of history’s great reformers.