Roman History 25 - Carus To Diocletian 282-292 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 121 phase 3 Rome episode 121 phase 3 Rome episode 121 phase 3 [Music] [Music] [Music] complete way back in episode 51 I talked complete way back in episode 51 I talked complete way back in episode 51 I talked about the generation of Romans who grew about the generation of Romans who grew about the generation of Romans who grew up during the factional conflicts of up during the factional conflicts of up during the factional conflicts of solah and Marius spent their middle solah and Marius spent their middle solah and Marius spent their middle years embroiled in the political Wars of years embroiled in the political Wars of years embroiled in the political Wars of the first trium the first trium the first trium and if they managed to survive they then and if they managed to survive they then and if they managed to survive they then died in old age having just been dragged died in old age having just been dragged died in old age having just been dragged through two decades of Civil through two decades of Civil through two decades of Civil War it was a generation that knew War it was a generation that knew War it was a generation that knew nothing of the Golden Ages of Roman nothing of the Golden Ages of Roman nothing of the Golden Ages of Roman history that had come before them and history that had come before them and history that had come before them and would come after them theirs was a world would come after them theirs was a world would come after them theirs was a world where craft ambition and an indifference where craft ambition and an indifference where craft ambition and an indifference to the rule of law led to a series of to the rule of law led to a series of to the rule of law led to a series of compounding burdens that crippled them compounding burdens that crippled them compounding burdens that crippled them economically morally and spiritually to economically morally and spiritually to economically morally and spiritually to Wi human life was cheap and everything Wi human life was cheap and everything Wi human life was cheap and everything else was else was else was expensive the men and women born during expensive the men and women born during expensive the men and women born during the late Severin period could relate the late Severin period could relate the late Severin period could relate their entire adult lives had been given their entire adult lives had been given their entire adult lives had been given over to the crisis of the 3rd Century over to the crisis of the 3rd Century over to the crisis of the 3rd Century now approaching old age they could look now approaching old age they could look now approaching old age they could look back on a life that had been filled by back on a life that had been filled by back on a life that had been filled by nothing more than endless war political nothing more than endless war political nothing more than endless war political instability plague famine and economic instability plague famine and economic instability plague famine and economic depression theirs had been a hard Road depression theirs had been a hard Road depression theirs had been a hard Road as hard a road as had been endured by as hard a road as had been endured by as hard a road as had been endured by the generation that had witnessed the the generation that had witnessed the the generation that had witnessed the fall of the Republic public but that fall of the Republic public but that fall of the Republic public but that road was finally mercifully coming to an road was finally mercifully coming to an road was finally mercifully coming to an end just in time for them to end just in time for them to end just in time for them to die I suppose that of some generations

die I suppose that of some generations die I suppose that of some generations much is asked not that anyone knew the Hard Road asked not that anyone knew the Hard Road was coming to an end at the time it was coming to an end at the time it was coming to an end at the time it would take a while before anyone would take a while before anyone would take a while before anyone realized that the yyan captain of The realized that the yyan captain of The realized that the yyan captain of The Bodyguard who had just seized power was Bodyguard who had just seized power was Bodyguard who had just seized power was not just here to stay but here to not just here to stay but here to not just here to stay but here to reshape redefine and restore an Empire reshape redefine and restore an Empire reshape redefine and restore an Empire that had almost Fallen apart that had almost Fallen apart that had almost Fallen apart completely they didn't have the benefit completely they didn't have the benefit completely they didn't have the benefit of hindsight to help them clearly DeMark of hindsight to help them clearly DeMark of hindsight to help them clearly DeMark that before this point crisis I after that before this point crisis I after that before this point crisis I after this point this point this point tetrarchy we use arbitrary labels as a tetrarchy we use arbitrary labels as a tetrarchy we use arbitrary labels as a convenient way to help keep history convenient way to help keep history convenient way to help keep history straight in our heads but we should straight in our heads but we should straight in our heads but we should never forget that they are just labels never forget that they are just labels never forget that they are just labels to the Romans at the time there was very to the Romans at the time there was very to the Romans at the time there was very little that would help them recognize little that would help them recognize little that would help them recognize that some Corner had actually been that some Corner had actually been that some Corner had actually been turned when Diocesan came to power in turned when Diocesan came to power in turned when Diocesan came to power in 284 it was all just one long continuous 284 it was all just one long continuous 284 it was all just one long continuous Evolution and no one really had any Evolution and no one really had any Evolution and no one really had any reason to believe that the Ascension of reason to believe that the Ascension of reason to believe that the Ascension of Diocesan would turn out later to be some Diocesan would turn out later to be some Diocesan would turn out later to be some Epoch defining Epoch defining Epoch defining moment most probably thought he would moment most probably thought he would moment most probably thought he would Reign for a few years and then be killed Reign for a few years and then be killed Reign for a few years and then be killed off like all the off like all the off like all the rest but history has a funny way of rest but history has a funny way of rest but history has a funny way of working itself out sometimes scrawny working itself out sometimes scrawny working itself out sometimes scrawny 19-year-olds of no consequence turn out 19-year-olds of no consequence turn out 19-year-olds of no consequence turn out to be Augustus and sometimes relatively to be Augustus and sometimes relatively to be Augustus and sometimes relatively undistinguished Soldier administrators undistinguished Soldier administrators undistinguished Soldier administrators turn out to be Di cian who knows how turn out to be Di cian who knows how turn out to be Di cian who knows how these things work but before we get to Dian we have work but before we get to Dian we have to pass through the last mini dynasty of to pass through the last mini dynasty of to pass through the last mini dynasty of the crisis years and cover the Reigns of

the crisis years and cover the Reigns of the crisis years and cover the Reigns of Kus and his two sons kinus and Kus and his two sons kinus and Kus and his two sons kinus and numaran Marcus aelius Kus or possibly numaran Marcus aelius Kus or possibly numaran Marcus aelius Kus or possibly Marcus numerius Kus had been born around Marcus numerius Kus had been born around Marcus numerius Kus had been born around 224 in Gaul and was thus a card carrying 224 in Gaul and was thus a card carrying 224 in Gaul and was thus a card carrying member of that generation that had known member of that generation that had known member of that generation that had known nothing but toil and trouble nothing but toil and trouble nothing but toil and trouble born into a family of senatorial rank born into a family of senatorial rank born into a family of senatorial rank Caris was of course insulated from some Caris was of course insulated from some Caris was of course insulated from some of the more abject deprivations endured of the more abject deprivations endured of the more abject deprivations endured by his less wealthy contemporaries but by his less wealthy contemporaries but by his less wealthy contemporaries but still Romans of every ranking class had still Romans of every ranking class had still Romans of every ranking class had to face a world that was not at all to face a world that was not at all to face a world that was not at all their oyster their oyster their oyster anymore Kus had been born in Gaul but anymore Kus had been born in Gaul but anymore Kus had been born in Gaul but educated in Rome planting him firmly on educated in Rome planting him firmly on educated in Rome planting him firmly on the side of the old Roman aristocracy the side of the old Roman aristocracy the side of the old Roman aristocracy and whatever his role in the and whatever his role in the and whatever his role in the assassination of Probus it probably felt assassination of Probus it probably felt assassination of Probus it probably felt good to wrestle power Away From the good to wrestle power Away From the good to wrestle power Away From the Rough yyan generals and return it to the Rough yyan generals and return it to the Rough yyan generals and return it to the hands of a senator who at least knew who hands of a senator who at least knew who hands of a senator who at least knew who Virgil Virgil Virgil was his career is mostly obscure but we was his career is mostly obscure but we was his career is mostly obscure but we know that he had not yet received the know that he had not yet received the know that he had not yet received the honor of a consulship despite the fact honor of a consulship despite the fact honor of a consulship despite the fact that he was approaching 60 which means that he was approaching 60 which means that he was approaching 60 which means that he could not have ever been that he could not have ever been that he could not have ever been particularly close to the previous particularly close to the previous particularly close to the previous Imperial inner circles but he was Imperial inner circles but he was Imperial inner circles but he was regarded Enough by Probus to be named regarded Enough by Probus to be named regarded Enough by Probus to be named petorian prefect in early 282 so we can petorian prefect in early 282 so we can petorian prefect in early 282 so we can probably trust that he he was a capable probably trust that he he was a capable probably trust that he he was a capable administrator and solid Soldier as with the other beneficiaries Soldier as with the other beneficiaries of Imperial assassination during this of Imperial assassination during this of Imperial assassination during this period it is hard to tell if Caris took period it is hard to tell if Caris took period it is hard to tell if Caris took an active part in the plot to kill

an active part in the plot to kill an active part in the plot to kill Probus or whether he simply took Probus or whether he simply took Probus or whether he simply took advantage of the opportunity that advantage of the opportunity that advantage of the opportunity that presented itself once the deed was done presented itself once the deed was done presented itself once the deed was done and really we don't even know if he was and really we don't even know if he was and really we don't even know if he was hailed as Emperor before or after probis hailed as Emperor before or after probis hailed as Emperor before or after probis was killed so was he a Machiavellian was killed so was he a Machiavellian was killed so was he a Machiavellian usurper who engineu the death of a man usurper who engineu the death of a man usurper who engineu the death of a man who had just named him to one of the who had just named him to one of the who had just named him to one of the most important positions in the most important positions in the most important positions in the government or was he a diligent government or was he a diligent government or was he a diligent careerist who was well positioned to be careerist who was well positioned to be careerist who was well positioned to be swept Along by history we'll likely swept Along by history we'll likely swept Along by history we'll likely never know all we do know is that the never know all we do know is that the never know all we do know is that the Senate didn't fight the choice made by Senate didn't fight the choice made by Senate didn't fight the choice made by The serium Garrison and none of the The serium Garrison and none of the The serium Garrison and none of the generals out on the Frontiers who might generals out on the Frontiers who might generals out on the Frontiers who might have challenged kuse chose to fight him have challenged kuse chose to fight him have challenged kuse chose to fight him and so in late 282 he became emperor of and so in late 282 he became emperor of and so in late 282 he became emperor of the Roman Empire after dutifully punishing the who Empire after dutifully punishing the who had murdered probis Kus followed the had murdered probis Kus followed the had murdered probis Kus followed the lead of just about every other Emperor lead of just about every other Emperor lead of just about every other Emperor who had come to power with living sons who had come to power with living sons who had come to power with living sons and elevated his two boys Marcus aelius and elevated his two boys Marcus aelius and elevated his two boys Marcus aelius kinus and Marcus aelius numerius num kinus and Marcus aelius numerius num kinus and Marcus aelius numerius num marianus to the rank of Caesar putting marianus to the rank of Caesar putting marianus to the rank of Caesar putting both in line to inherit the Empire from both in line to inherit the Empire from both in line to inherit the Empire from their their their father we don't have birth dates for father we don't have birth dates for father we don't have birth dates for either of kris's sons but if we figure either of kris's sons but if we figure either of kris's sons but if we figure they were sired when Caris was in his they were sired when Caris was in his they were sired when Caris was in his 20s as would have been typical then I 20s as would have been typical then I 20s as would have been typical then I think it's safe to say that they were think it's safe to say that they were think it's safe to say that they were both in their 30s at the time though in both in their 30s at the time though in both in their 30s at the time though in when reading about them you do get the when reading about them you do get the when reading about them you do get the distinct impression that they were distinct impression that they were distinct impression that they were younger than that with num Marian in younger than that with num Marian in younger than that with num Marian in particular being depicted as a Young Man particular being depicted as a Young Man particular being depicted as a Young Man perhaps even in his early perhaps even in his early perhaps even in his early 20s so as not to belabor the point I 20s so as not to belabor the point I 20s so as not to belabor the point I would say that the two new Caesars were

would say that the two new Caesars were would say that the two new Caesars were neither children nor middle-aged men and neither children nor middle-aged men and neither children nor middle-aged men and simply leave it at simply leave it at simply leave it at that with a new Augustus in place and that with a new Augustus in place and that with a new Augustus in place and two grown sons ready to take over in two grown sons ready to take over in two grown sons ready to take over in case anything happened to him there may case anything happened to him there may case anything happened to him there may have been hopes floating around that a have been hopes floating around that a have been hopes floating around that a new dynasty was in the making a new new dynasty was in the making a new new dynasty was in the making a new Dynasty that would bring some political Dynasty that would bring some political Dynasty that would bring some political stability to the stability to the stability to the Empire but alas in less than two years Empire but alas in less than two years Empire but alas in less than two years all three men would be dead and the all three men would be dead and the all three men would be dead and the Romans would have to start all over Romans would have to start all over Romans would have to start all over again luckily they would start all over again luckily they would start all over again luckily they would start all over again with Dian who would bring again with Dian who would bring again with Dian who would bring political stability to the Empire so the political stability to the Empire so the political stability to the Empire so the demise of Caris and his sons didn't turn demise of Caris and his sons didn't turn demise of Caris and his sons didn't turn out to be the worst of all possible out to be the worst of all possible out to be the worst of all possible scenarios Caris was the third petorian scenarios Caris was the third petorian scenarios Caris was the third petorian prefect to step into the purple prefect to step into the purple prefect to step into the purple following in the footsteps of mccr and following in the footsteps of mccr and following in the footsteps of mccr and Philip the Philip the Philip the Arab the former had been too bogged down Arab the former had been too bogged down Arab the former had been too bogged down by problems in the East to ever return by problems in the East to ever return by problems in the East to ever return to Rome while the latter had made it a to Rome while the latter had made it a to Rome while the latter had made it a point to immediately return to the point to immediately return to the point to immediately return to the capital to solidify his capital to solidify his capital to solidify his position Kus chose to split the position Kus chose to split the position Kus chose to split the difference remaining in serium to keep difference remaining in serium to keep difference remaining in serium to keep would be German Raiders in check and to would be German Raiders in check and to would be German Raiders in check and to finish preparations for the now twice finish preparations for the now twice finish preparations for the now twice aborted invasion of Persia Kus sent his aborted invasion of Persia Kus sent his aborted invasion of Persia Kus sent his eldest son kinus to Rome to represent eldest son kinus to Rome to represent eldest son kinus to Rome to represent present the interests of the new present the interests of the new present the interests of the new Imperial Imperial Imperial family to help ensure that caring would family to help ensure that caring would family to help ensure that caring would be taken seriously inaros decided to be taken seriously inaros decided to be taken seriously inaros decided to further Elevate his oldest son to the further Elevate his oldest son to the further Elevate his oldest son to the rank of full Augustus and charged kinus rank of full Augustus and charged kinus rank of full Augustus and charged kinus with the task of ruling over the West

with the task of ruling over the West with the task of ruling over the West while he and knew Marian focused on the while he and knew Marian focused on the while he and knew Marian focused on the East with kinus consolidating the family East with kinus consolidating the family East with kinus consolidating the family power in Rome Kus and his younger son power in Rome Kus and his younger son power in Rome Kus and his younger son num Marian began a slow march to Syria num Marian began a slow march to Syria num Marian began a slow march to Syria where they plan to launch the long where they plan to launch the long where they plan to launch the long delayed attack on Sanic delayed attack on Sanic delayed attack on Sanic Persia as they passed through moisi and Persia as they passed through moisi and Persia as they passed through moisi and thce they fought a series of short thce they fought a series of short thce they fought a series of short engagements against hostile quadi and engagements against hostile quadi and engagements against hostile quadi and stian Raiders engagements that were just stian Raiders engagements that were just stian Raiders engagements that were just significant enough for Kus to plausibly significant enough for Kus to plausibly significant enough for Kus to plausibly claim the title germanicus claim the title germanicus claim the title germanicus Maximus Kus and num Marian then passed Maximus Kus and num Marian then passed Maximus Kus and num Marian then passed through Asia Minor into Syria without through Asia Minor into Syria without through Asia Minor into Syria without incident and in 283 they finally incident and in 283 they finally incident and in 283 they finally initiated the punitive Expedition initiated the punitive Expedition initiated the punitive Expedition against the Persians that the Romans against the Persians that the Romans against the Persians that the Romans well at least the Roman High command well at least the Roman High command well at least the Roman High command had been seeking since the capture of had been seeking since the capture of had been seeking since the capture of valaran now some 20 years past and they valaran now some 20 years past and they valaran now some 20 years past and they could not have picked a better could not have picked a better could not have picked a better time the Persian succession crisis that time the Persian succession crisis that time the Persian succession crisis that had Arisen following the death of sharur had Arisen following the death of sharur had Arisen following the death of sharur in the early 270s had been settled but in the early 270s had been settled but in the early 270s had been settled but The Heirs of the great king were weak The Heirs of the great king were weak The Heirs of the great king were weak and perpetually undercut by rival Nobles and perpetually undercut by rival Nobles and perpetually undercut by rival Nobles leaving the CED Empire vulnerable to the leaving the CED Empire vulnerable to the leaving the CED Empire vulnerable to the Roman Roman Roman Advance on top of these internal Advance on top of these internal Advance on top of these internal divisions abar Ram II one of shor's sons divisions abar Ram II one of shor's sons divisions abar Ram II one of shor's sons and the now reigning King decided in the and the now reigning King decided in the and the now reigning King decided in the early 280s to look to the east rather early 280s to look to the east rather early 280s to look to the east rather than the West as the best direction for than the West as the best direction for than the West as the best direction for his Empire to expand and launched an his Empire to expand and launched an his Empire to expand and launched an invasion of what is now invasion of what is now invasion of what is now Afghanistan with the bulk of his Afghanistan with the bulk of his Afghanistan with the bulk of his available forces tied down thousands of

available forces tied down thousands of available forces tied down thousands of miles away in the mountains of Central miles away in the mountains of Central miles away in the mountains of Central Asia baham had no way to counter K's Asia baham had no way to counter K's Asia baham had no way to counter K's invasion of Mesopotamia and the Romans invasion of Mesopotamia and the Romans invasion of Mesopotamia and the Romans were essentially able to do whatever were essentially able to do whatever were essentially able to do whatever they wanted inflict whatever damage they they wanted inflict whatever damage they they wanted inflict whatever damage they wanted and claim whatever territory they wanted and claim whatever territory they wanted and claim whatever territory they wanted on a wanted on a wanted on a osed kuse re annexed Mesopotamia osed kuse re annexed Mesopotamia osed kuse re annexed Mesopotamia occupied salua and teson and then LED occupied salua and teson and then LED occupied salua and teson and then LED his army across the Tigers without once his army across the Tigers without once his army across the Tigers without once facing significant opposition things could not have been opposition things could not have been going better for Caris but of course the going better for Caris but of course the going better for Caris but of course the gods were always a thickle bunch and gods were always a thickle bunch and gods were always a thickle bunch and right at the moment of its greatest right at the moment of its greatest right at the moment of its greatest Triumph the emperor fell over dead in Triumph the emperor fell over dead in Triumph the emperor fell over dead in August August August 283 he was almost 60 years old and had 283 he was almost 60 years old and had 283 he was almost 60 years old and had ruled Rome for less than a year there are as usual conflicting stories there are as usual conflicting stories about his about his about his death no one seems to believe that he death no one seems to believe that he death no one seems to believe that he was assassinated though that is a was assassinated though that is a was assassinated though that is a possibility that can never fully be possibility that can never fully be possibility that can never fully be discounted and instead the sources say discounted and instead the sources say discounted and instead the sources say that he either died of a natural cause that he either died of a natural cause that he either died of a natural cause like disease or heart attack or and this like disease or heart attack or and this like disease or heart attack or and this is where it gets good he was struck dead is where it gets good he was struck dead is where it gets good he was struck dead by a bolt of by a bolt of by a bolt of lightning the lightning story of course lightning the lightning story of course lightning the lightning story of course received the most AirPlay in the Roman received the most AirPlay in the Roman received the most AirPlay in the Roman world as a freak accident like that world as a freak accident like that world as a freak accident like that especially one involving a murderous especially one involving a murderous especially one involving a murderous ThunderBolt from the sky was immediately ThunderBolt from the sky was immediately ThunderBolt from the sky was immediately interpreted as a warning from the gods interpreted as a warning from the gods interpreted as a warning from the gods that Kos had strayed from the righteous that Kos had strayed from the righteous that Kos had strayed from the righteous path or more specifically he had strayed

path or more specifically he had strayed path or more specifically he had strayed too far beyond the Tigris River the long too far beyond the Tigris River the long too far beyond the Tigris River the long established outer bounds of Roman established outer bounds of Roman established outer bounds of Roman territory the alleged lightning strike territory the alleged lightning strike territory the alleged lightning strike was in any event the rationale most was in any event the rationale most was in any event the rationale most often pointed to when attempting to often pointed to when attempting to often pointed to when attempting to explain num Marian's decision to explain num Marian's decision to explain num Marian's decision to withdraw from Persia despite facing well withdraw from Persia despite facing well withdraw from Persia despite facing well nothing in the way of Persian nothing in the way of Persian nothing in the way of Persian resistance Kus had pressed Too Far East resistance Kus had pressed Too Far East resistance Kus had pressed Too Far East and had been struck dead by lightning and had been struck dead by lightning and had been struck dead by lightning the message could not have been more the message could not have been more the message could not have been more clear to the superstitious clear to the superstitious clear to the superstitious Romans I would venture to guess though Romans I would venture to guess though Romans I would venture to guess though that num Marian's withdrawal was that num Marian's withdrawal was that num Marian's withdrawal was actually premised on the same logic that actually premised on the same logic that actually premised on the same logic that had led to so many Roman Retreats from had led to so many Roman Retreats from had led to so many Roman Retreats from the Eastern deserts it was not worth the the Eastern deserts it was not worth the the Eastern deserts it was not worth the men or the resources that would have men or the resources that would have men or the resources that would have been necessary to hold the territory and been necessary to hold the territory and been necessary to hold the territory and there was no telling whether the legions there was no telling whether the legions there was no telling whether the legions would be even able to hold the territory would be even able to hold the territory would be even able to hold the territory if and when the Persian armies decided if and when the Persian armies decided if and when the Persian armies decided to come down out of the mountains which to come down out of the mountains which to come down out of the mountains which they would almost certainly be forced to they would almost certainly be forced to they would almost certainly be forced to do if the Romans continued to press do if the Romans continued to press do if the Romans continued to press their luck on the east side of the their luck on the east side of the their luck on the east side of the Tigers so following the death of his Tigers so following the death of his Tigers so following the death of his father Numan ordered the legions back to father Numan ordered the legions back to father Numan ordered the legions back to Syria the campaign of Kus while Syria the campaign of Kus while Syria the campaign of Kus while uniformly successful didn't do much to uniformly successful didn't do much to uniformly successful didn't do much to sue the still bruised Roman ego and it sue the still bruised Roman ego and it sue the still bruised Roman ego and it wasn't until the victories of garus some wasn't until the victories of garus some wasn't until the victories of garus some two decades later that the Romans really two decades later that the Romans really two decades later that the Romans really exercised the humiliation of valerian's exercised the humiliation of valerian's exercised the humiliation of valerian's capture from their psyches unfortunately for numaran the psyches unfortunately for numaran the gods were feeling extremely thickle

gods were feeling extremely thickle gods were feeling extremely thickle these days and despite his attempt to these days and despite his attempt to these days and despite his attempt to appease them by heading back home he too appease them by heading back home he too appease them by heading back home he too would be dead after ruling for just over would be dead after ruling for just over would be dead after ruling for just over a a a year the New Emperor was apparently in year the New Emperor was apparently in year the New Emperor was apparently in good health as the legions passed good health as the legions passed good health as the legions passed through Misa on what appeared to be the through Misa on what appeared to be the through Misa on what appeared to be the first leg of a long and leisurely trip first leg of a long and leisurely trip first leg of a long and leisurely trip back to the west to link up with his back to the west to link up with his back to the west to link up with his brother kinus but by the time the Army brother kinus but by the time the Army brother kinus but by the time the Army reached Asia Minor in November of 284 reached Asia Minor in November of 284 reached Asia Minor in November of 284 something was clearly a something was clearly a something was clearly a miss the story going around was that miss the story going around was that miss the story going around was that numaran had been stricken by some sort numaran had been stricken by some sort numaran had been stricken by some sort of inflammation of the eyes and was of inflammation of the eyes and was of inflammation of the eyes and was unable to leave the dark safe confines unable to leave the dark safe confines unable to leave the dark safe confines of his Imperial of his Imperial of his Imperial litter while the emperor was so stricken litter while the emperor was so stricken litter while the emperor was so stricken orders were issued through his father-in orders were issued through his father-in orders were issued through his father-in the petorian prefect Lucius a a man who the petorian prefect Lucius a a man who the petorian prefect Lucius a a man who found his personal standing greatly found his personal standing greatly found his personal standing greatly enhanced by the death of one Emperor and enhanced by the death of one Emperor and enhanced by the death of one Emperor and the sickness of the sickness of the sickness of another so much so that his fellow another so much so that his fellow another so much so that his fellow officers began to grow officers began to grow officers began to grow suspicious the story then goes that suspicious the story then goes that suspicious the story then goes that their suspicions were confirmed when the their suspicions were confirmed when the their suspicions were confirmed when the stench emanating from the Imperial stench emanating from the Imperial stench emanating from the Imperial litter could no longer be covered up the litter could no longer be covered up the litter could no longer be covered up the curtain of the litter was thrown open curtain of the litter was thrown open curtain of the litter was thrown open and the rotting corpse of narian was and the rotting corpse of narian was and the rotting corpse of narian was revealed to everyone that Sneaky Snake a revealed to everyone that Sneaky Snake a revealed to everyone that Sneaky Snake a had been issuing orders in the name of a had been issuing orders in the name of a had been issuing orders in the name of a dead dead dead man now this whole story is of course man now this whole story is of course man now this whole story is of course prosterus on a number of different prosterus on a number of different prosterus on a number of different levels but it's the story that Diocesan levels but it's the story that Diocesan levels but it's the story that Diocesan pushed once he was in charge of the pushed once he was in charge of the pushed once he was in charge of the history books and so for better for history books and so for better for history books and so for better for worse it is the story that has been

worse it is the story that has been worse it is the story that has been handed down to handed down to handed down to us num Marian's age was unknown but he us num Marian's age was unknown but he us num Marian's age was unknown but he co-ruled the Empire with his brother for co-ruled the Empire with his brother for co-ruled the Empire with his brother for just about a just about a just about a year the story then continues that the year the story then continues that the year the story then continues that the general staff of the Imperial Army did general staff of the Imperial Army did general staff of the Imperial Army did not take too kindly to apr's deception not take too kindly to apr's deception not take too kindly to apr's deception and met in a closed Council to decide and met in a closed Council to decide and met in a closed Council to decide yes the fate of that sneaky snake yes the fate of that sneaky snake yes the fate of that sneaky snake petorian prefect but more importantly to petorian prefect but more importantly to petorian prefect but more importantly to decide who ought to wear numan's now decide who ought to wear numan's now decide who ought to wear numan's now discarded purple discarded purple discarded purple robes this was not a decision to be robes this was not a decision to be robes this was not a decision to be taken lightly because there was after taken lightly because there was after taken lightly because there was after all a fully established Augustus sitting all a fully established Augustus sitting all a fully established Augustus sitting in Rome right at that very in Rome right at that very in Rome right at that very moment any decision the officers made moment any decision the officers made moment any decision the officers made other than recognizing the full other than recognizing the full other than recognizing the full authority of Carin would be treason and authority of Carin would be treason and authority of Carin would be treason and precipitate Civil precipitate Civil precipitate Civil War but the still alian heavy general War but the still alian heavy general War but the still alian heavy general staff looked at the veteran Imperial staff looked at the veteran Imperial staff looked at the veteran Imperial Army at their disposal and figured that Army at their disposal and figured that Army at their disposal and figured that now would be a pretty good opportunity now would be a pretty good opportunity now would be a pretty good opportunity to get one of their own back into to get one of their own back into to get one of their own back into Power the one of their own they settled Power the one of their own they settled Power the one of their own they settled on was something of a surprise pick a on was something of a surprise pick a on was something of a surprise pick a career Soldier by the name of career Soldier by the name of career Soldier by the name of diocles unlike Claudius or aurelian or diocles unlike Claudius or aurelian or diocles unlike Claudius or aurelian or probis diocles had not been a man who probis diocles had not been a man who probis diocles had not been a man who had won Fame leading the leadens to had won Fame leading the leadens to had won Fame leading the leadens to victory in battle and at the moment of victory in battle and at the moment of victory in battle and at the moment of his Ascension he personally controlled his Ascension he personally controlled his Ascension he personally controlled only a small number of only a small number of only a small number of troops but what he lacked in Grand troops but what he lacked in Grand troops but what he lacked in Grand military reputation he more than made up

military reputation he more than made up military reputation he more than made up for with his skill in the less showy but for with his skill in the less showy but for with his skill in the less showy but equally important game of back room equally important game of back room equally important game of back room politics that company of troops he politics that company of troops he politics that company of troops he commanded may have been small but it commanded may have been small but it commanded may have been small but it just so happened to be the caval just so happened to be the caval just so happened to be the caval attachment that acted as the personal attachment that acted as the personal attachment that acted as the personal bodyguard of the bodyguard of the bodyguard of the emperor diocles may not have been a emperor diocles may not have been a emperor diocles may not have been a great General but he had earned a spot great General but he had earned a spot great General but he had earned a spot in the emperor's Inner Circle and in the emperor's Inner Circle and in the emperor's Inner Circle and carried with him the luster and carried with him the luster and carried with him the luster and authority of that authority of that authority of that Association plus over the course of his Association plus over the course of his Association plus over the course of his nearly 20 yearlong career a career about nearly 20 yearlong career a career about nearly 20 yearlong career a career about which we know almost nothing by the way which we know almost nothing by the way which we know almost nothing by the way a diocles had studiously cultivated a diocles had studiously cultivated a diocles had studiously cultivated relationships with every officer and relationships with every officer and relationships with every officer and Soldier he came into contact with and Soldier he came into contact with and Soldier he came into contact with and that network of allies was ready to that network of allies was ready to that network of allies was ready to spring into action when their friend spring into action when their friend spring into action when their friend comrade and benefactor decided to take comrade and benefactor decided to take comrade and benefactor decided to take the opportunity of num Marian's death to the opportunity of num Marian's death to the opportunity of num Marian's death to make a bid for make a bid for make a bid for power the personal loyalty that diocles power the personal loyalty that diocles power the personal loyalty that diocles inspired in the men he came into contact inspired in the men he came into contact inspired in the men he came into contact with was probably the single biggest with was probably the single biggest with was probably the single biggest factor in explaining his success as factor in explaining his success as factor in explaining his success as Emperor because only a man supremely Emperor because only a man supremely Emperor because only a man supremely confident in the continued loyalty of confident in the continued loyalty of confident in the continued loyalty of his subordinates could have even his subordinates could have even his subordinates could have even considered the kind of power sharing considered the kind of power sharing considered the kind of power sharing agreement that the emperor Diocesan agreement that the emperor Diocesan agreement that the emperor Diocesan would would would Institute and only a man who actually Institute and only a man who actually Institute and only a man who actually did Inspire that kind of loyalty would did Inspire that kind of loyalty would did Inspire that kind of loyalty would be able to pull it off as I just mentioned we know almost off as I just mentioned we know almost nothing about The Life and Times of nothing about The Life and Times of nothing about The Life and Times of diocles prior to his Ascension we don't

diocles prior to his Ascension we don't diocles prior to his Ascension we don't even know his full even know his full even know his full name he appears to have been born in 244 name he appears to have been born in 244 name he appears to have been born in 244 in panonia to lower class parents and in panonia to lower class parents and in panonia to lower class parents and his later detractors even went so far as his later detractors even went so far as his later detractors even went so far as to label him the son of a to label him the son of a to label him the son of a Freedman he would have joined the army Freedman he would have joined the army Freedman he would have joined the army sometime after the disaster of sometime after the disaster of sometime after the disaster of valerian's capture and thus would have valerian's capture and thus would have valerian's capture and thus would have spent the majority of his career as an spent the majority of his career as an spent the majority of his career as an officer serving under the hospices of officer serving under the hospices of officer serving under the hospices of his Alyan countrymen slowly rising up his Alyan countrymen slowly rising up his Alyan countrymen slowly rising up the ranks as that cabal of officers the ranks as that cabal of officers the ranks as that cabal of officers secured control of the military secured control of the military secured control of the military apparatus he almost certainly commanded apparatus he almost certainly commanded apparatus he almost certainly commanded Legions of moesia and the Historia Legions of moesia and the Historia Legions of moesia and the Historia Augusta records that he also served in Augusta records that he also served in Augusta records that he also served in Gaul but modern Scholars dismissed that Gaul but modern Scholars dismissed that Gaul but modern Scholars dismissed that whole episode as a fabrication that only whole episode as a fabrication that only whole episode as a fabrication that only served to put the future emperor in served to put the future emperor in served to put the future emperor in contact with a suits who would helpfully contact with a suits who would helpfully contact with a suits who would helpfully prophesize that diocles would attain prophesize that diocles would attain prophesize that diocles would attain great power after killing an ass a great power after killing an ass a great power after killing an ass a prophecy that we will see fulfilled in prophecy that we will see fulfilled in prophecy that we will see fulfilled in just a minute he apparently established a minute he apparently established a positive relationship with Kus at some positive relationship with Kus at some positive relationship with Kus at some point along the way because when caros point along the way because when caros point along the way because when caros became emperor he not only named diocles became emperor he not only named diocles became emperor he not only named diocles the captain of his personal bodyguard the captain of his personal bodyguard the captain of his personal bodyguard but also awarded him with a consulship but also awarded him with a consulship but also awarded him with a consulship in 283 there is no telling what if any role 283 there is no telling what if any role diocles played in the three Imperial diocles played in the three Imperial diocles played in the three Imperial deaths that preceded his own rise to deaths that preceded his own rise to deaths that preceded his own rise to power it could be that he played no part power it could be that he played no part power it could be that he played no part in any of them played a part in some but in any of them played a part in some but in any of them played a part in some but not in others or was in on every death

not in others or was in on every death not in others or was in on every death from probis to numaran as a part of a from probis to numaran as a part of a from probis to numaran as a part of a long-term project to secure the throne long-term project to secure the throne long-term project to secure the throne for for for himself since he got to write the himself since he got to write the himself since he got to write the history books though tradition has it history books though tradition has it history books though tradition has it that Dian is innocent of all that Dian is innocent of all that Dian is innocent of all charges his first act as emperor in fact charges his first act as emperor in fact charges his first act as emperor in fact was to declare publicly that he had had was to declare publicly that he had had was to declare publicly that he had had nothing to do with the death of num nothing to do with the death of num nothing to do with the death of num Marian and that any and all blame lay Marian and that any and all blame lay Marian and that any and all blame lay squarely at the feet of the nefarious squarely at the feet of the nefarious squarely at the feet of the nefarious a he made this announcement in front of a he made this announcement in front of a he made this announcement in front of an assembly of troops with a bound a on an assembly of troops with a bound a on an assembly of troops with a bound a on his knees beside him and in case you're his knees beside him and in case you're his knees beside him and in case you're wondering yes indeed APR is the Latin wondering yes indeed APR is the Latin wondering yes indeed APR is the Latin word for ass diocles then drew his sword word for ass diocles then drew his sword word for ass diocles then drew his sword and personally executed the prefect and personally executed the prefect and personally executed the prefect fulfilling the alleged prophecy once April was dead diocles prophecy once April was dead diocles retired to his tent to plan his next retired to his tent to plan his next retired to his tent to plan his next move the first up on the docket was the move the first up on the docket was the move the first up on the docket was the small matter of creating a more how do small matter of creating a more how do small matter of creating a more how do you say Imperial persona for you say Imperial persona for you say Imperial persona for himself the simple Soldier diocles thus himself the simple Soldier diocles thus himself the simple Soldier diocles thus announced that henceforth he was to be announced that henceforth he was to be announced that henceforth he was to be known as the far more Regal gas orelus known as the far more Regal gas orelus known as the far more Regal gas orelus Val AR Val AR Val AR dianus a name change that explains why dianus a name change that explains why dianus a name change that explains why we know him today as we know him today as we know him today as Diocesan once this was done he had to Diocesan once this was done he had to Diocesan once this was done he had to turn his attention to the small matter turn his attention to the small matter turn his attention to the small matter of carinus you know the sitting Augustus of carinus you know the sitting Augustus of carinus you know the sitting Augustus back in back in back in Rome this problem he set about solving Rome this problem he set about solving Rome this problem he set about solving by issuing proclamations that kinus was

by issuing proclamations that kinus was by issuing proclamations that kinus was actually a hated and debauched Tyrant actually a hated and debauched Tyrant actually a hated and debauched Tyrant who maintained his position through fear who maintained his position through fear who maintained his position through fear and violence it was thus dian's and violence it was thus dian's and violence it was thus dian's responsibility responsibility responsibility and the responsibility of any Roman with and the responsibility of any Roman with and the responsibility of any Roman with a conscience really to march on Rome and a conscience really to march on Rome and a conscience really to march on Rome and depose the hated depose the hated depose the hated Tyrant whether or not any of this was Tyrant whether or not any of this was Tyrant whether or not any of this was true is highly debatable especially true is highly debatable especially true is highly debatable especially since again Diocesan had 20 years at his since again Diocesan had 20 years at his since again Diocesan had 20 years at his disposal to firmly cement the idea that disposal to firmly cement the idea that disposal to firmly cement the idea that he rose to power as a divinely appointed he rose to power as a divinely appointed he rose to power as a divinely appointed defender of Roman Freedom rather than as defender of Roman Freedom rather than as defender of Roman Freedom rather than as just another Power hungry General just another Power hungry General just another Power hungry General Diocesan needed a villain and carinus Diocesan needed a villain and carinus Diocesan needed a villain and carinus fit the bill the villain in question though was not the villain in question though was not at all prepared to Simply roll over for at all prepared to Simply roll over for at all prepared to Simply roll over for this upstart captain of The this upstart captain of The this upstart captain of The Bodyguard as soon as he learned that the Bodyguard as soon as he learned that the Bodyguard as soon as he learned that the men under his brother's command had men under his brother's command had men under his brother's command had decided to not simply transfer their decided to not simply transfer their decided to not simply transfer their loyalty to him kinus gathered up his own loyalty to him kinus gathered up his own loyalty to him kinus gathered up his own Army and marched East to meet the Army Army and marched East to meet the Army Army and marched East to meet the Army marching West under the command of marching West under the command of marching West under the command of Diocesan while passing through panonia Diocesan while passing through panonia Diocesan while passing through panonia kinus apparently dealt with an uprising kinus apparently dealt with an uprising kinus apparently dealt with an uprising led by the local Garrison commander and led by the local Garrison commander and led by the local Garrison commander and easily put the clamp down on any easily put the clamp down on any easily put the clamp down on any seditious seditious seditious activity he then continued East with all activity he then continued East with all activity he then continued East with all deliberate speed intent on preventing deliberate speed intent on preventing deliberate speed intent on preventing Diocesan from claiming any more Diocesan from claiming any more Diocesan from claiming any more territory than he already had deao territory than he already had deao territory than he already had deao control control control of the two armies finally met in moia in of the two armies finally met in moia in of the two armies finally met in moia in July of 285 and at the outset it looked July of 285 and at the outset it looked July of 285 and at the outset it looked like kinus was going to put down dian's

like kinus was going to put down dian's like kinus was going to put down dian's Insurrection as easily as he had put Insurrection as easily as he had put Insurrection as easily as he had put down the one in down the one in down the one in panonia in a series of short engagements panonia in a series of short engagements panonia in a series of short engagements car repeatedly got the better of dian's car repeatedly got the better of dian's car repeatedly got the better of dian's men and up until the decisive battle of men and up until the decisive battle of men and up until the decisive battle of the margus river it looked like Diocesan the margus river it looked like Diocesan the margus river it looked like Diocesan whatever his political skills was about whatever his political skills was about whatever his political skills was about to get thoroughly outgeneraled to get thoroughly outgeneraled to get thoroughly outgeneraled but then Carin was betrayed and but then Carin was betrayed and but then Carin was betrayed and everything fell apart the first explanation we have for apart the first explanation we have for kin's fall is that Dian had used those kin's fall is that Dian had used those kin's fall is that Dian had used those amazing political skills of his to amazing political skills of his to amazing political skills of his to induce kin's Army to defect just prior induce kin's Army to defect just prior induce kin's Army to defect just prior to the to the to the battle macking this theory is the fact battle macking this theory is the fact battle macking this theory is the fact that kin's petorian prefect The Man Who that kin's petorian prefect The Man Who that kin's petorian prefect The Man Who Would have been most able to induce a Would have been most able to induce a Would have been most able to induce a defection of that magnitude was kept on defection of that magnitude was kept on defection of that magnitude was kept on in his post after kin's fall and you in his post after kin's fall and you in his post after kin's fall and you have to figure that he did something to have to figure that he did something to have to figure that he did something to secure that kind of secure that kind of secure that kind of treatment the other more salacious story treatment the other more salacious story treatment the other more salacious story is that a Tribune who harbored a is that a Tribune who harbored a is that a Tribune who harbored a personal grudge against the emperor personal grudge against the emperor personal grudge against the emperor because Kus had seduced his wife because Kus had seduced his wife because Kus had seduced his wife assassinated him just as Diocesan Army assassinated him just as Diocesan Army assassinated him just as Diocesan Army was about to be defeated instantly was about to be defeated instantly was about to be defeated instantly turning the tide of the whole turning the tide of the whole turning the tide of the whole battle remember when I said that the battle remember when I said that the battle remember when I said that the death of victorinus sounded like maybe death of victorinus sounded like maybe death of victorinus sounded like maybe it was made up because the whole jilted it was made up because the whole jilted it was made up because the whole jilted underling Trope was a common one in underling Trope was a common one in underling Trope was a common one in ancient literature well here's another ancient literature well here's another ancient literature well here's another example of example of example of that one way or the other though at the that one way or the other though at the that one way or the other though at the end of the day kinus was dead and

end of the day kinus was dead and end of the day kinus was dead and Diocesan stood tall as the sole ruler of Diocesan stood tall as the sole ruler of Diocesan stood tall as the sole ruler of the Roman the Roman the Roman Empire as with his brother we really Empire as with his brother we really Empire as with his brother we really don't know how old kinus was when he don't know how old kinus was when he don't know how old kinus was when he died but he had been Augustus for just died but he had been Augustus for just died but he had been Augustus for just about 2 about 2 about 2 years his death for all intents and years his death for all intents and years his death for all intents and purposes marked the end of the crisis of purposes marked the end of the crisis of purposes marked the end of the crisis of the 3r century but as I mentioned earlier no century but as I mentioned earlier no one knew it at the one knew it at the one knew it at the time Diocesan was at that point just time Diocesan was at that point just time Diocesan was at that point just another usurper and frankly they were a another usurper and frankly they were a another usurper and frankly they were a dime a dozen these days dime a dozen these days dime a dozen these days next week though the Roman world will next week though the Roman world will next week though the Roman world will begin to realize that in Diocesan they begin to realize that in Diocesan they begin to realize that in Diocesan they were dealing with something else were dealing with something else were dealing with something else entirely from the very beginning his entirely from the very beginning his entirely from the very beginning his Reign would prove to be a radical Reign would prove to be a radical Reign would prove to be a radical departure from what had come before him departure from what had come before him departure from what had come before him and by the time he was done almost every and by the time he was done almost every and by the time he was done almost every part of the Roman order political part of the Roman order political part of the Roman order political economic social military would be economic social military would be economic social military would be transformed by the novel new policies of transformed by the novel new policies of transformed by the novel new policies of Diocesan ironically though a Dian Diocesan ironically though a Dian Diocesan ironically though a Dian transformed the Roman Empire not because transformed the Roman Empire not because transformed the Roman Empire not because he wanted to build something new but he wanted to build something new but he wanted to build something new but because he wanted to restore something because he wanted to restore something because he wanted to restore something old old old [Music]

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode Rome episode Rome episode 122 Jupiter and 122 Jupiter and 122 Jupiter and [Music] [Music] [Music] Hercules I think it's fair to say that Hercules I think it's fair to say that Hercules I think it's fair to say that for the last 50 odd years the Roman for the last 50 odd years the Roman for the last 50 odd years the Roman Empire had been flying by the seat of Empire had been flying by the seat of Empire had been flying by the seat of its pants Emperors would appear on the its pants Emperors would appear on the its pants Emperors would appear on the scene run around madly trying to deal scene run around madly trying to deal scene run around madly trying to deal with whatever that week's crisis was and with whatever that week's crisis was and with whatever that week's crisis was and then pass the Baton off to the next man then pass the Baton off to the next man then pass the Baton off to the next man who would run around madly trying to who would run around madly trying to who would run around madly trying to deal with the next week's crisis before deal with the next week's crisis before deal with the next week's crisis before passing the Baton off to the next man passing the Baton off to the next man passing the Baton off to the next man and so on and so and so on and so and so on and so on improvisation was the order of the on improvisation was the order of the on improvisation was the order of the day and if anyone even had a long-term day and if anyone even had a long-term day and if anyone even had a long-term strategy they usually had neither the strategy they usually had neither the strategy they usually had neither the time nor the resources to put it into time nor the resources to put it into time nor the resources to put it into action most of the Emperors who ruled action most of the Emperors who ruled action most of the Emperors who ruled during the 3rd Century had no idea that during the 3rd Century had no idea that during the 3rd Century had no idea that they would even be Emperor a year before they would even be Emperor a year before they would even be Emperor a year before they found themselves draped in the they found themselves draped in the they found themselves draped in the purple sometimes not even the day before purple sometimes not even the day before purple sometimes not even the day before so it's not like these men were bringing so it's not like these men were bringing so it's not like these men were bringing with them carefully laid out plans when with them carefully laid out plans when with them carefully laid out plans when they took over they took over they took over power but by all accounts Dian was power but by all accounts Dian was power but by all accounts Dian was different he had been thinking about it different he had been thinking about it different he had been thinking about it he had thought long and hard about the he had thought long and hard about the he had thought long and hard about the problems facing the Empire and what he problems facing the Empire and what he problems facing the Empire and what he would do if he had the chance to solve would do if he had the chance to solve would do if he had the chance to solve them this is not to say that Diocesan them this is not to say that Diocesan them this is not to say that Diocesan was immune from the twist and turns of was immune from the twist and turns of was immune from the twist and turns of fate and he was forced to improvise with fate and he was forced to improvise with fate and he was forced to improvise with the best of them but he at least had the best of them but he at least had the best of them but he at least had some broad Notions about the direction some broad Notions about the direction some broad Notions about the direction the Empire needed to go in and he did the Empire needed to go in and he did the Empire needed to go in and he did his level best to keep the Empire going his level best to keep the Empire going his level best to keep the Empire going that way and after defeating kinus in

that way and after defeating kinus in that way and after defeating kinus in 285 ad he wasted no time getting going right away Dian set the tone for going right away Dian set the tone for the kind of administration he planned to the kind of administration he planned to the kind of administration he planned to lead Elites across the Empire always lead Elites across the Empire always lead Elites across the Empire always viewed transitions of power as viewed transitions of power as viewed transitions of power as incredibly dangerous periods of time who incredibly dangerous periods of time who incredibly dangerous periods of time who knew what kind of purges the new emperor knew what kind of purges the new emperor knew what kind of purges the new emperor would initiate as he said about would initiate as he said about would initiate as he said about consolidating his consolidating his consolidating his power but right from the get-go Diocesan power but right from the get-go Diocesan power but right from the get-go Diocesan made it clear that clemency would be his made it clear that clemency would be his made it clear that clemency would be his watchword not only were there no watchword not only were there no watchword not only were there no executions or banishments for King's executions or banishments for King's executions or banishments for King's allies Diocesan actually kept on most of allies Diocesan actually kept on most of allies Diocesan actually kept on most of the previous regime's the previous regime's the previous regime's magistrates but just as the relief was magistrates but just as the relief was magistrates but just as the relief was taking hold the the Elites in Rome taking hold the the Elites in Rome taking hold the the Elites in Rome couldn't help but miss the other big couldn't help but miss the other big couldn't help but miss the other big signal Diocesan sent them he would not signal Diocesan sent them he would not signal Diocesan sent them he would not be coming to the capital anytime be coming to the capital anytime be coming to the capital anytime soon Diocesan had no interest in soon Diocesan had no interest in soon Diocesan had no interest in acknowledging even the symbolic power of acknowledging even the symbolic power of acknowledging even the symbolic power of the Senate and though the Frontiers were the Senate and though the Frontiers were the Senate and though the Frontiers were mostly quiet and he could have made the mostly quiet and he could have made the mostly quiet and he could have made the trip easily one of the things he had trip easily one of the things he had trip easily one of the things he had been thinking a lot about was that Rome been thinking a lot about was that Rome been thinking a lot about was that Rome needed to be removed from the political needed to be removed from the political needed to be removed from the political equation the snubbing of the ancient equation the snubbing of the ancient equation the snubbing of the ancient Capital was deliberate and permanent and Capital was deliberate and permanent and Capital was deliberate and permanent and part of dian's long-term project to rest part of dian's long-term project to rest part of dian's long-term project to rest Imperial legitimacy on something other Imperial legitimacy on something other Imperial legitimacy on something other than the consent of the long irrelevant Senate the other big idea that Diocesan Senate the other big idea that Diocesan had firmly in the front of his mind when

had firmly in the front of his mind when had firmly in the front of his mind when he came to power was that the job of he came to power was that the job of he came to power was that the job of Emperor was now without a doubt too big Emperor was now without a doubt too big Emperor was now without a doubt too big a job for one a job for one a job for one man at its core the problem lay in the man at its core the problem lay in the man at its core the problem lay in the tension between external and internal tension between external and internal tension between external and internal threats threats threats in order to ensure his place on the in order to ensure his place on the in order to ensure his place on the throne an emperor has to keep with him throne an emperor has to keep with him throne an emperor has to keep with him at all times the largest and strongest at all times the largest and strongest at all times the largest and strongest army army army around that way ambitious generals around that way ambitious generals around that way ambitious generals elsewhere would not be able to muster elsewhere would not be able to muster elsewhere would not be able to muster any serious any serious any serious threats but that meant that any threats but that meant that any threats but that meant that any significant external Invasion had to be significant external Invasion had to be significant external Invasion had to be met personally by the emperor since he met personally by the emperor since he met personally by the emperor since he was the only one with an army big enough was the only one with an army big enough was the only one with an army big enough to face it to face it to face it down that meant a lot of running around down that meant a lot of running around down that meant a lot of running around for the emperor and a lot of Borderland for the emperor and a lot of Borderland for the emperor and a lot of Borderland left left unguarded as he ran from here left left unguarded as he ran from here left left unguarded as he ran from here to to to there it also meant that these invasions there it also meant that these invasions there it also meant that these invasions were not being met in anything even were not being met in anything even were not being met in anything even resembling a timely resembling a timely resembling a timely manner Diocesan had thought about this manner Diocesan had thought about this manner Diocesan had thought about this seemingly intractable problem and seemingly intractable problem and seemingly intractable problem and finally came to the conclusion that finally came to the conclusion that finally came to the conclusion that there just had to be two there just had to be two there just had to be two Emperors now this was not a novel idea Emperors now this was not a novel idea Emperors now this was not a novel idea but previous examples of it had Arisen but previous examples of it had Arisen but previous examples of it had Arisen out of dynastic concerns going back to out of dynastic concerns going back to out of dynastic concerns going back to the partnership of Augustus and Agrippa the partnership of Augustus and Agrippa the partnership of Augustus and Agrippa that was initiated most of all because that was initiated most of all because that was initiated most of all because Augustus had almost died without there Augustus had almost died without there Augustus had almost died without there being a capable Heir in being a capable Heir in being a capable Heir in place Fathers and Sons would rule place Fathers and Sons would rule place Fathers and Sons would rule together or brothers would rule together together or brothers would rule together together or brothers would rule together to cement a family Dynasty but never to cement a family Dynasty but never to cement a family Dynasty but never before had the idea of co-rulers been before had the idea of co-rulers been before had the idea of co-rulers been premised on the simple notion that more

premised on the simple notion that more premised on the simple notion that more than one Emperor was actually needed in than one Emperor was actually needed in than one Emperor was actually needed in these days daian recognized that more these days daian recognized that more these days daian recognized that more than one ruler was needed the basic logic of this solution needed the basic logic of this solution was simple two Emperors operating over was simple two Emperors operating over was simple two Emperors operating over different spheres would each be able to different spheres would each be able to different spheres would each be able to respond to problems in their territories respond to problems in their territories respond to problems in their territories far quicker and more efficiently than far quicker and more efficiently than far quicker and more efficiently than any one Emperor would ever be able to any one Emperor would ever be able to any one Emperor would ever be able to do it would also by splitting the load do it would also by splitting the load do it would also by splitting the load of administrative paperwork create a far of administrative paperwork create a far of administrative paperwork create a far more efficient bureaucracy to deal with more efficient bureaucracy to deal with more efficient bureaucracy to deal with all the minutia of all the minutia of all the minutia of governance some questions can only be governance some questions can only be governance some questions can only be answered by Emperors and with two answered by Emperors and with two answered by Emperors and with two Emperors twice as much can be answered Emperors twice as much can be answered Emperors twice as much can be answered twice as fast twice as fast twice as fast last finally and this is where the whole last finally and this is where the whole last finally and this is where the whole thing could unravel Diocesan bet that by thing could unravel Diocesan bet that by thing could unravel Diocesan bet that by investing a colleague with Imperial investing a colleague with Imperial investing a colleague with Imperial Authority that command of the huge array Authority that command of the huge array Authority that command of the huge array of armed forces that would come with of armed forces that would come with of armed forces that would come with that promotion a huge array of armed that promotion a huge array of armed that promotion a huge array of armed forces that were needed to keep the forces that were needed to keep the forces that were needed to keep the Empire safe that that would not go to Empire safe that that would not go to Empire safe that that would not go to said colleagues head they would already said colleagues head they would already said colleagues head they would already have all the dignity and power of an have all the dignity and power of an have all the dignity and power of an emperor so no reason to rise up in emperor so no reason to rise up in emperor so no reason to rise up in Revolt after winning some victory out on Revolt after winning some victory out on Revolt after winning some victory out on the Frontiers the Frontiers the Frontiers right the question then became who in right the question then became who in right the question then became who in the world could be trusted with such a the world could be trusted with such a the world could be trusted with such a promotion Diocesan needed another promotion Diocesan needed another promotion Diocesan needed another Imperial Army out in the field and he Imperial Army out in the field and he Imperial Army out in the field and he needed someone capable of leading it and needed someone capable of leading it and needed someone capable of leading it and since he had no son of his own he needed since he had no son of his own he needed since he had no son of his own he needed someone from outside his family whose

someone from outside his family whose someone from outside his family whose loyalty he could absolutely count loyalty he could absolutely count loyalty he could absolutely count on enter maximan the man who become known as maximan the man who become known as Marcus aelius Valerius maximianus was Marcus aelius Valerius maximianus was Marcus aelius Valerius maximianus was born around 250 ad near serium into a born around 250 ad near serium into a born around 250 ad near serium into a family of family of family of shopkeepers he was five or six years shopkeepers he was five or six years shopkeepers he was five or six years younger than Diocesan which meant that younger than Diocesan which meant that younger than Diocesan which meant that they were just close enough in age to they were just close enough in age to they were just close enough in age to have essentially risen through the ranks have essentially risen through the ranks have essentially risen through the ranks together but just far enough apart in together but just far enough apart in together but just far enough apart in age for Diocesan to always be the senior age for Diocesan to always be the senior age for Diocesan to always be the senior partner as with most of the yyan partner as with most of the yyan partner as with most of the yyan generals the bulk of maximian early generals the bulk of maximian early generals the bulk of maximian early career is obscure but it is it is almost career is obscure but it is it is almost career is obscure but it is it is almost certain that he was leading troops certain that he was leading troops certain that he was leading troops during terris's Eastern campaign and during terris's Eastern campaign and during terris's Eastern campaign and highly likely that he was on hand for highly likely that he was on hand for highly likely that he was on hand for the drama of num Marian's death and the the drama of num Marian's death and the the drama of num Marian's death and the decision to elevate Diocesan depending on how far in advance Diocesan depending on how far in advance Diocesan had been making his plans it is Diocesan had been making his plans it is Diocesan had been making his plans it is entirely possible that he had been entirely possible that he had been entirely possible that he had been cultivating a friendship with maximian cultivating a friendship with maximian cultivating a friendship with maximian for years with the idea of appointing for years with the idea of appointing for years with the idea of appointing his Junior colleague to share the purple his Junior colleague to share the purple his Junior colleague to share the purple with him if he ever got the chance to with him if he ever got the chance to with him if he ever got the chance to become become become emperor maximan was a good General a emperor maximan was a good General a emperor maximan was a good General a Stern disciplinarian and a competent Stern disciplinarian and a competent Stern disciplinarian and a competent administrator all of these traits administrator all of these traits administrator all of these traits recommended him to recommended him to recommended him to Diocesan but perhaps more important than Diocesan but perhaps more important than Diocesan but perhaps more important than what maximian brought with him to the what maximian brought with him to the what maximian brought with him to the table was what he didn't maximan had no table was what he didn't maximan had no table was what he didn't maximan had no native political talents to speak native political talents to speak native political talents to speak of elevating another man with a

of elevating another man with a of elevating another man with a political mind might cause the new political mind might cause the new political mind might cause the new Imperial partnership to devolve into Imperial partnership to devolve into Imperial partnership to devolve into mutual scheming backbiting and then mutual scheming backbiting and then mutual scheming backbiting and then inevitably Civil War inevitably Civil War inevitably Civil War but by choosing a blunt soldier who had but by choosing a blunt soldier who had but by choosing a blunt soldier who had no time for political machinations daian no time for political machinations daian no time for political machinations daian could be assured that he would have a could be assured that he would have a could be assured that he would have a partner in power not a rival for power the rapidity with which maximan power the rapidity with which maximan was promoted following dian's elevation was promoted following dian's elevation was promoted following dian's elevation means that most likely all of this had means that most likely all of this had means that most likely all of this had been been been pre-arranged whether it had been pre-arranged whether it had been pre-arranged whether it had been arranged years in advance or whether it arranged years in advance or whether it arranged years in advance or whether it was the final carrot used to secure was the final carrot used to secure was the final carrot used to secure maximian support following num Marian's maximian support following num Marian's maximian support following num Marian's death death is unknown but we do know death death is unknown but we do know death death is unknown but we do know that immediately after the death of that immediately after the death of that immediately after the death of kinus in July of 285 that the imperial kinus in July of 285 that the imperial kinus in July of 285 that the imperial Entourage traveled to Milan where in a Entourage traveled to Milan where in a Entourage traveled to Milan where in a solemn ceremony maximian was elevated to solemn ceremony maximian was elevated to solemn ceremony maximian was elevated to the rank of Caesar and formally adopted the rank of Caesar and formally adopted the rank of Caesar and formally adopted by by by Dian the Empire now had two capable men Dian the Empire now had two capable men Dian the Empire now had two capable men of Imperial rank to watch over its of Imperial rank to watch over its of Imperial rank to watch over its domains and it was a good thing that it domains and it was a good thing that it domains and it was a good thing that it did because there was no time to sit did because there was no time to sit did because there was no time to sit around basking in the glow of new found around basking in the glow of new found around basking in the glow of new found Imperial luxury Imperial luxury Imperial luxury there were things to be done Diocesan had already determined done Diocesan had already determined that he was going to leave the new that he was going to leave the new that he was going to leave the new Caesar maximan to handle the west and in Caesar maximan to handle the west and in Caesar maximan to handle the west and in particular the troubled province of Gaul particular the troubled province of Gaul particular the troubled province of Gaul while he himself traveled East so he while he himself traveled East so he while he himself traveled East so he could secure the danu frontier and be could secure the danu frontier and be could secure the danu frontier and be ready for any Fallout from K's previous ready for any Fallout from K's previous ready for any Fallout from K's previous invasion of

invasion of invasion of Persia making his capital in the city of Persia making his capital in the city of Persia making his capital in the city of nicomedia in Asia Minor essentially for nicomedia in Asia Minor essentially for nicomedia in Asia Minor essentially for the same strategic reasons Constantine the same strategic reasons Constantine the same strategic reasons Constantine chose to build his capital in Byzantium chose to build his capital in Byzantium chose to build his capital in Byzantium Diocesan settled a brief war with the Diocesan settled a brief war with the Diocesan settled a brief war with the sarmatians before taking a tour of the sarmatians before taking a tour of the sarmatians before taking a tour of the Eastern provinces to ensure that the new Eastern provinces to ensure that the new Eastern provinces to ensure that the new Administration would not have to deal Administration would not have to deal Administration would not have to deal with any problems from seditious minded with any problems from seditious minded with any problems from seditious minded locals it had after all been only a locals it had after all been only a locals it had after all been only a decade since the Eastern Mediterranean decade since the Eastern Mediterranean decade since the Eastern Mediterranean had nearly become its own political had nearly become its own political had nearly become its own political entity for all of 286 Diocesan put his entity for all of 286 Diocesan put his entity for all of 286 Diocesan put his stamp on the East and back in nicomedia stamp on the East and back in nicomedia stamp on the East and back in nicomedia in 287 he received Reed the good news in 287 he received Reed the good news in 287 he received Reed the good news that far from looking for Revenge the that far from looking for Revenge the that far from looking for Revenge the CED King bam II was looking for CED King bam II was looking for CED King bam II was looking for peace the Persian king sent an embassy peace the Persian king sent an embassy peace the Persian king sent an embassy to Diocesan with gifts and Promises of a to Diocesan with gifts and Promises of a to Diocesan with gifts and Promises of a stable border between the two great stable border between the two great stable border between the two great Empires delighted that he might be able Empires delighted that he might be able Empires delighted that he might be able to solve the Persian question to solve the Persian question to solve the Persian question diplomatically Diocesan jumped at the diplomatically Diocesan jumped at the diplomatically Diocesan jumped at the overtures and after some haggling the overtures and after some haggling the overtures and after some haggling the two sides agreed to swap some territory two sides agreed to swap some territory two sides agreed to swap some territory in order to rationalize the border and in order to rationalize the border and in order to rationalize the border and then pledged Mutual friendship and then pledged Mutual friendship and then pledged Mutual friendship and eternal eternal eternal peace it didn't turn out to be exactly peace it didn't turn out to be exactly peace it didn't turn out to be exactly Eternal peace but at that moment with so Eternal peace but at that moment with so Eternal peace but at that moment with so much else to deal with the promise of much else to deal with the promise of much else to deal with the promise of even a temporary piece on the Eastern even a temporary piece on the Eastern even a temporary piece on the Eastern Front was music to dian's ears unfortunately the reason there is ears unfortunately the reason there is so much else to deal with was because so much else to deal with was because so much else to deal with was because despite getting off to a good start

despite getting off to a good start despite getting off to a good start maximan had run into some serious maximan had run into some serious maximan had run into some serious difficulties in the difficulties in the difficulties in the west as as I just mentioned Diocesan was west as as I just mentioned Diocesan was west as as I just mentioned Diocesan was not omnipotent and he was forced to not omnipotent and he was forced to not omnipotent and he was forced to improvise his plant on the improvise his plant on the improvise his plant on the fly the first test of his ability to fly the first test of his ability to fly the first test of his ability to make it up as he went along came early make it up as he went along came early make it up as he went along came early in 286 when frantic reports came pouring in 286 when frantic reports came pouring in 286 when frantic reports came pouring in that a general named krosus had in that a general named krosus had in that a general named krosus had broken free of maximan control and had broken free of maximan control and had broken free of maximan control and had proclaimed himself Augustus of Britain proclaimed himself Augustus of Britain proclaimed himself Augustus of Britain and Northern Gaul well hell to go back a bit after being named hell to go back a bit after being named Caesar maximan had traveled North to Caesar maximan had traveled North to Caesar maximan had traveled North to Gaul where he set up a capital in Gaul where he set up a capital in Gaul where he set up a capital in mines his first major test came against mines his first major test came against mines his first major test came against a collection of peasants and EXs a collection of peasants and EXs a collection of peasants and EXs soldiers called and I know I'm going to soldiers called and I know I'm going to soldiers called and I know I'm going to butcher this pronunciation the butcher this pronunciation the butcher this pronunciation the Botti we have very little understanding Botti we have very little understanding Botti we have very little understanding of the group and no one really knows of the group and no one really knows of the group and no one really knows whether they were a real revolutionary whether they were a real revolutionary whether they were a real revolutionary force or whether they were just force or whether they were just force or whether they were just opportunistic brigands but they had been opportunistic brigands but they had been opportunistic brigands but they had been running rampant throughout Central golf running rampant throughout Central golf running rampant throughout Central golf for years and had to be stopped for years and had to be stopped for years and had to be stopped maximan with the authority and resources maximan with the authority and resources maximan with the authority and resources of an emperor was able to easily divide of an emperor was able to easily divide of an emperor was able to easily divide and conquer the gangs but with Roman and conquer the gangs but with Roman and conquer the gangs but with Roman attention focused on the interior tribes attention focused on the interior tribes attention focused on the interior tribes of alamani and burgundians took of alamani and burgundians took of alamani and burgundians took advantage of the situation and began advantage of the situation and began advantage of the situation and began raiding into the raiding into the raiding into the Empire compounding this threat along the Empire compounding this threat along the Empire compounding this threat along the upper rine was the new threat of upper rine was the new threat of upper rine was the new threat of Frankish and Saxon Pirates Who were Frankish and Saxon Pirates Who were Frankish and Saxon Pirates Who were based around the lower

based around the lower based around the lower r as maximan dealt with the alamani and r as maximan dealt with the alamani and r as maximan dealt with the alamani and the burgundians he delegated the piracy the burgundians he delegated the piracy the burgundians he delegated the piracy issue to a highly capable General named issue to a highly capable General named issue to a highly capable General named krosus who was not only a native of krosus who was not only a native of krosus who was not only a native of Northern Gaul but also an experienced Northern Gaul but also an experienced Northern Gaul but also an experienced Naval captain at first everything went great captain at first everything went great maximan pushed back the Germans in the maximan pushed back the Germans in the maximan pushed back the Germans in the South while krosus ran circles around South while krosus ran circles around South while krosus ran circles around the overmatch Pirates in the the overmatch Pirates in the the overmatch Pirates in the north but then troubling reports began north but then troubling reports began north but then troubling reports began to filter down to to filter down to to filter down to maximon rather than returning the maximon rather than returning the maximon rather than returning the captured loot to its rightful owners or captured loot to its rightful owners or captured loot to its rightful owners or at the very least collect cting it in at the very least collect cting it in at the very least collect cting it in some public treasury he was siphoning it some public treasury he was siphoning it some public treasury he was siphoning it off into his own private off into his own private off into his own private stashes and worse than that it was being stashes and worse than that it was being stashes and worse than that it was being reported that cochius was waiting for reported that cochius was waiting for reported that cochius was waiting for the Pirates to finish plundering before the Pirates to finish plundering before the Pirates to finish plundering before he made any move to intercept them so as he made any move to intercept them so as he made any move to intercept them so as to maximize his own to maximize his own to maximize his own profit now a little pocket lining is one profit now a little pocket lining is one profit now a little pocket lining is one thing but this breach of Faith actually thing but this breach of Faith actually thing but this breach of Faith actually standing by and allowing Pirates to standing by and allowing Pirates to standing by and allowing Pirates to plunder and burn was something else plunder and burn was something else plunder and burn was something else entirely entirely entirely maximian may have been a rough Soldier maximian may have been a rough Soldier maximian may have been a rough Soldier but a sense of Honor pervaded his but a sense of Honor pervaded his but a sense of Honor pervaded his commitment to the Empire the legions commitment to the Empire the legions commitment to the Empire the legions were there to defend not to were there to defend not to were there to defend not to exploit krosus whatever his Merit had exploit krosus whatever his Merit had exploit krosus whatever his Merit had gone too gone too gone too far and this is where his lack of far and this is where his lack of far and this is where his lack of political Savvy doomed political Savvy doomed political Savvy doomed maximan rather than laying some careful maximan rather than laying some careful maximan rather than laying some careful trap for his Wayward Admiral rather than

trap for his Wayward Admiral rather than trap for his Wayward Admiral rather than coaxing him out of his stronghold with coaxing him out of his stronghold with coaxing him out of his stronghold with flattery and Promises of friendship Max flattery and Promises of friendship Max flattery and Promises of friendship Max I simply demanded corus report at once I simply demanded corus report at once I simply demanded corus report at once to account for to account for to account for himself understandably nervous about himself understandably nervous about himself understandably nervous about what might happen if he complied krosus what might happen if he complied krosus what might happen if he complied krosus hesitated which caused maximan to hesitated which caused maximan to hesitated which caused maximan to declare him a public enemy and Order his declare him a public enemy and Order his declare him a public enemy and Order his execution this of course immediately execution this of course immediately execution this of course immediately negated any possibility of a peaceful negated any possibility of a peaceful negated any possibility of a peaceful end to the end to the end to the situation krosus had at his disposal the situation krosus had at his disposal the situation krosus had at his disposal the entire Roman Fleet as well as the entire Roman Fleet as well as the entire Roman Fleet as well as the massive pile of loot he had spent the massive pile of loot he had spent the massive pile of loot he had spent the last few months accumulating last few months accumulating last few months accumulating if maximian wanted him he could try to if maximian wanted him he could try to if maximian wanted him he could try to come get him but good luck with come get him but good luck with come get him but good luck with that krosus withdrew to Britain where that krosus withdrew to Britain where that krosus withdrew to Britain where with the help of his ill-gotten gains he with the help of his ill-gotten gains he with the help of his ill-gotten gains he secured the Loyalty of the Legion secured the Loyalty of the Legion secured the Loyalty of the Legion station station station there at the same time everyone suddenly there at the same time everyone suddenly there at the same time everyone suddenly became aware of the back Channel talks became aware of the back Channel talks became aware of the back Channel talks krosus had been engaged in with the krosus had been engaged in with the krosus had been engaged in with the Franks this whole time when the split Franks this whole time when the split Franks this whole time when the split with maximian became official the Franks with maximian became official the Franks with maximian became official the Franks seized most of the ga Coast and in seized most of the ga Coast and in seized most of the ga Coast and in particular the port of particular the port of particular the port of balone with the help of his new German balone with the help of his new German balone with the help of his new German allies krosus now controlled an allies krosus now controlled an allies krosus now controlled an impregnable Little impregnable Little impregnable Little Kingdom even if maximian were able to Kingdom even if maximian were able to Kingdom even if maximian were able to drive off the Franks the Caesar had no drive off the Franks the Caesar had no drive off the Franks the Caesar had no Fleet and no way of even reaching Fleet and no way of even reaching Fleet and no way of even reaching Britain let alone fighting for it and Britain let alone fighting for it and Britain let alone fighting for it and even then getting bogged down in the even then getting bogged down in the even then getting bogged down in the north threatened the peace everywhere north threatened the peace everywhere north threatened the peace everywhere else reluctantly maximan allowed krosus

else reluctantly maximan allowed krosus else reluctantly maximan allowed krosus to hold his little kingdom this sudden Rebellion forced dian's this sudden Rebellion forced dian's hand up to this point the relationship hand up to this point the relationship hand up to this point the relationship between Diocesan and maximan had been between Diocesan and maximan had been between Diocesan and maximan had been one of Augustus and Caesar Father and one of Augustus and Caesar Father and one of Augustus and Caesar Father and Son but with krosus declaring himself Son but with krosus declaring himself Son but with krosus declaring himself Augustus Diocesan had to match the bet Augustus Diocesan had to match the bet Augustus Diocesan had to match the bet on the on the on the table it wouldn't do from a Public table it wouldn't do from a Public table it wouldn't do from a Public Relation standpoint to have an Augustus Relation standpoint to have an Augustus Relation standpoint to have an Augustus self-proclaimed or otherwise being met self-proclaimed or otherwise being met self-proclaimed or otherwise being met met by a mere Caesar the Optics of it met by a mere Caesar the Optics of it met by a mere Caesar the Optics of it were all were all were all wrong so in April 286 he further wrong so in April 286 he further wrong so in April 286 he further elevated Maxim to the rank of Augustus elevated Maxim to the rank of Augustus elevated Maxim to the rank of Augustus and henceforth their relationship was and henceforth their relationship was and henceforth their relationship was one of Brothers rather than that of one of Brothers rather than that of one of Brothers rather than that of Father and Father and Father and Son though he had botched the handling Son though he had botched the handling Son though he had botched the handling of krosus Diocesan still had faith in of krosus Diocesan still had faith in of krosus Diocesan still had faith in maximan and maximan for now continued to maximan and maximan for now continued to maximan and maximan for now continued to prove his prove his prove his worth he may have been politically inept worth he may have been politically inept worth he may have been politically inept but as a soldier he was Second To but as a soldier he was Second To but as a soldier he was Second To None refusing to launch a rash campaign None refusing to launch a rash campaign None refusing to launch a rash campaign to retake Britain maximan kept his focus to retake Britain maximan kept his focus to retake Britain maximan kept his focus on Southern and Central Gall campaigning on Southern and Central Gall campaigning on Southern and Central Gall campaigning on both sides of the river to completely on both sides of the river to completely on both sides of the river to completely pacify the region before allowing pacify the region before allowing pacify the region before allowing himself to turn to the himself to turn to the himself to turn to the north not that preparations weren't north not that preparations weren't north not that preparations weren't underway a fleet was even then being underway a fleet was even then being underway a fleet was even then being constructed for the eventual invasion of constructed for the eventual invasion of constructed for the eventual invasion of Britain but maximan wanted to make damn Britain but maximan wanted to make damn Britain but maximan wanted to make damn sure that his back was covered before he sure that his back was covered before he sure that his back was covered before he went North

went North went North plus corus's Rebellion had led him plus corus's Rebellion had led him plus corus's Rebellion had led him naturally into alliance with the German naturally into alliance with the German naturally into alliance with the German tribes by launching a scorched Earth tribes by launching a scorched Earth tribes by launching a scorched Earth campaign in Germany maximian hoped to campaign in Germany maximian hoped to campaign in Germany maximian hoped to devastate all of corus's allies leaving devastate all of corus's allies leaving devastate all of corus's allies leaving the treasonist general isolated on his the treasonist general isolated on his the treasonist general isolated on his Island without Mainland support all through 286 and 287 while support all through 286 and 287 while Diocesan was settling things Diocesan was settling things Diocesan was settling things diplomatically in the East maximan was diplomatically in the East maximan was diplomatically in the East maximan was settling things with the sword in the settling things with the sword in the settling things with the sword in the West West West in the spring of 288 however Diocesan in the spring of 288 however Diocesan in the spring of 288 however Diocesan felt confident enough in the stability felt confident enough in the stability felt confident enough in the stability of the Eastern provinces that he decided of the Eastern provinces that he decided of the Eastern provinces that he decided to come to G himself and Aid his brother to come to G himself and Aid his brother to come to G himself and Aid his brother Emperor the Breakaway of krosus was Emperor the Breakaway of krosus was Emperor the Breakaway of krosus was without a doubt the single most without a doubt the single most without a doubt the single most important thing going on in the Empire important thing going on in the Empire important thing going on in the Empire at that moment The Prestige of the new at that moment The Prestige of the new at that moment The Prestige of the new Administration was on the line and Administration was on the line and Administration was on the line and Diocesan wanted to make sure that Diocesan wanted to make sure that Diocesan wanted to make sure that nothing was left to nothing was left to nothing was left to Chance the senior Augustus had his sight Chance the senior Augustus had his sight Chance the senior Augustus had his sight set on completely redefining the set on completely redefining the set on completely redefining the Imperial order with the express aim of Imperial order with the express aim of Imperial order with the express aim of denying future ambitious generals access denying future ambitious generals access denying future ambitious generals access to the kind of legitimacy they would to the kind of legitimacy they would to the kind of legitimacy they would need to usurp the throne and as you can need to usurp the throne and as you can need to usurp the throne and as you can imagine the existence of a usurper in imagine the existence of a usurper in imagine the existence of a usurper in Britain was seriously upsetting dian's plans and to explain what I mean by plans and to explain what I mean by denying access to legitimacy we have to denying access to legitimacy we have to denying access to legitimacy we have to go back in time a bit when he was go back in time a bit when he was go back in time a bit when he was reorganizing the state August used the

reorganizing the state August used the reorganizing the state August used the Senate's long-standing and unrivaled Senate's long-standing and unrivaled Senate's long-standing and unrivaled authority to convey legitimacy onto his authority to convey legitimacy onto his authority to convey legitimacy onto his new new new regime after 2 and a half centuries regime after 2 and a half centuries regime after 2 and a half centuries though the Augustine system had finally though the Augustine system had finally though the Augustine system had finally cracked and legitimacy was now conferred cracked and legitimacy was now conferred cracked and legitimacy was now conferred not by the Senate but by the troops in not by the Senate but by the troops in not by the Senate but by the troops in the the the field you could say that this had always field you could say that this had always field you could say that this had always been the case but it was never so been the case but it was never so been the case but it was never so nakedly apparent to the soldiers nakedly apparent to the soldiers nakedly apparent to the soldiers themselves as it was during the crisis themselves as it was during the crisis themselves as it was during the crisis years they used their new power with years they used their new power with years they used their new power with Reckless abandon and and Emperors were Reckless abandon and and Emperors were Reckless abandon and and Emperors were made and unmade at the drop of a made and unmade at the drop of a made and unmade at the drop of a hat and Diocesan had thought about how hat and Diocesan had thought about how hat and Diocesan had thought about how to rest this power away from the to rest this power away from the to rest this power away from the soldiers and he thought that he had Hit soldiers and he thought that he had Hit soldiers and he thought that he had Hit Upon a Upon a Upon a solution rather than looking down to the solution rather than looking down to the solution rather than looking down to the legions or over to the senate for their legions or over to the senate for their legions or over to the senate for their legitimacy Emperors should henceforth legitimacy Emperors should henceforth legitimacy Emperors should henceforth look up to the look up to the look up to the heavens this was a hugely important step heavens this was a hugely important step heavens this was a hugely important step in the history of political theory in in the history of political theory in in the history of political theory in the west as it was here in the late 280s the west as it was here in the late 280s the west as it was here in the late 280s ad the Diocesan laid the foundation ad the Diocesan laid the foundation ad the Diocesan laid the foundation for500 years of divinely appointed Kings for500 years of divinely appointed Kings for500 years of divinely appointed Kings ruling over Europe the fascinating thing about all Europe the fascinating thing about all of this is that this Foundation was laid of this is that this Foundation was laid of this is that this Foundation was laid because of the specific circumstances because of the specific circumstances because of the specific circumstances facing facing facing Diocesan he needed to restore discipline Diocesan he needed to restore discipline Diocesan he needed to restore discipline to the Troops and restore a sense of awe to the Troops and restore a sense of awe to the Troops and restore a sense of awe inspiring Majesty to the office of inspiring Majesty to the office of inspiring Majesty to the office of emperor in order to restore stability to emperor in order to restore stability to emperor in order to restore stability to the the the Empire in his biography of Diocesan Empire in his biography of Diocesan Empire in his biography of Diocesan Steven Williams makes the point that

Steven Williams makes the point that Steven Williams makes the point that though their policies were miles apart though their policies were miles apart though their policies were miles apart that at heart Augustus and Diocesan were that at heart Augustus and Diocesan were that at heart Augustus and Diocesan were really the same kind of really the same kind of really the same kind of man both were acutely aware that they man both were acutely aware that they man both were acutely aware that they needed to find a way to restore order needed to find a way to restore order needed to find a way to restore order after years of after years of after years of chaos had their roles been reversed it chaos had their roles been reversed it chaos had their roles been reversed it would not at all have been out of would not at all have been out of would not at all have been out of character for Diocesan to have used the character for Diocesan to have used the character for Diocesan to have used the institutions of the Republic to institutions of the Republic to institutions of the Republic to stabilize a new autocracy nor would it stabilize a new autocracy nor would it stabilize a new autocracy nor would it have been out of character for Augustus have been out of character for Augustus have been out of character for Augustus to argue for divine right following the to argue for divine right following the to argue for divine right following the crisis of the 3rd crisis of the 3rd crisis of the 3rd Century neither men was an ideologue Century neither men was an ideologue Century neither men was an ideologue they were pragmatist more than willing they were pragmatist more than willing they were pragmatist more than willing to follow whichever course they thought to follow whichever course they thought to follow whichever course they thought would best achieve their would best achieve their would best achieve their ends so it was not Megamania that led ends so it was not Megamania that led ends so it was not Megamania that led Diocesan to begin telling everyone that Diocesan to begin telling everyone that Diocesan to begin telling everyone that he was appointed by Jupiter and nothing he was appointed by Jupiter and nothing he was appointed by Jupiter and nothing less than Jupiter's agent on Earth just less than Jupiter's agent on Earth just less than Jupiter's agent on Earth just as it was not humility that led Augustus as it was not humility that led Augustus as it was not humility that led Augustus to tell everyone that he was merely the to tell everyone that he was merely the to tell everyone that he was merely the first citizen first citizen first citizen it was rather in both cases a carefully it was rather in both cases a carefully it was rather in both cases a carefully thought out piece of pageantry that each thought out piece of pageantry that each thought out piece of pageantry that each believed would halt the entropy that had believed would halt the entropy that had believed would halt the entropy that had Afflicted their empire it was in this Afflicted their empire it was in this Afflicted their empire it was in this way that the formal slide and here is way that the formal slide and here is way that the formal slide and here is another one of those arbitrary labels we another one of those arbitrary labels we another one of those arbitrary labels we use to keep history straight in our use to keep history straight in our use to keep history straight in our heads from principate to dominant from heads from principate to dominant from heads from principate to dominant from the emperor styled as first citizen to the emperor styled as first citizen to the emperor styled as first citizen to the emperor styled as your Lord and the emperor styled as your Lord and the emperor styled as your Lord and Master it was asked he was finishing up Master it was asked he was finishing up Master it was asked he was finishing up his negotiations with the Persians in

his negotiations with the Persians in his negotiations with the Persians in 287 that Diocesan first began to claim 287 that Diocesan first began to claim 287 that Diocesan first began to claim the Divine Authority that would become the Divine Authority that would become the Divine Authority that would become the foundation of his regime and the the foundation of his regime and the the foundation of his regime and the foundation of all future foundation of all future foundation of all future regimes he took for himself the title regimes he took for himself the title regimes he took for himself the title jovius and gave to maximan the title jovius and gave to maximan the title jovius and gave to maximan the title hercul references to the respective hercul references to the respective hercul references to the respective Patron deities Diocesan had chosen for Patron deities Diocesan had chosen for Patron deities Diocesan had chosen for them Jupiter and them Jupiter and them Jupiter and Hercules the former the head of the Gods Hercules the former the head of the Gods Hercules the former the head of the Gods the master architect the supreme the master architect the supreme the master architect the supreme authority the latter the Great Hero the authority the latter the Great Hero the authority the latter the Great Hero the indefatigable defender of indefatigable defender of indefatigable defender of mankind and this is where the Supreme mankind and this is where the Supreme mankind and this is where the Supreme political Artistry of Diocesan becomes political Artistry of Diocesan becomes political Artistry of Diocesan becomes apparent the ever ready tool of apparent the ever ready tool of apparent the ever ready tool of Jupiter as Dian was setting up his new Jupiter as Dian was setting up his new Jupiter as Dian was setting up his new Imperial Paradigm he made sure that it Imperial Paradigm he made sure that it Imperial Paradigm he made sure that it cemented the relationship he wished to cemented the relationship he wished to cemented the relationship he wished to have with his brother Emperor have with his brother Emperor have with his brother Emperor maximian Diocesan would be Jupiter the maximian Diocesan would be Jupiter the maximian Diocesan would be Jupiter the architect of policy maximian would be architect of policy maximian would be architect of policy maximian would be Hercules the hands that carried out Hercules the hands that carried out Hercules the hands that carried out those those those policies it was a relationship that policies it was a relationship that policies it was a relationship that suited both men just fine maximan was no suited both men just fine maximan was no suited both men just fine maximan was no politician and Diocesan was no politician and Diocesan was no politician and Diocesan was no General down the road though these new General down the road though these new General down the road though these new divinely inspired dynasties would run divinely inspired dynasties would run divinely inspired dynasties would run into problems what if the new jovius into problems what if the new jovius into problems what if the new jovius lacked Vision what if the new Hercules lacked Vision what if the new Hercules lacked Vision what if the new Hercules didn't want to take didn't want to take didn't want to take orders but these were questions for orders but these were questions for orders but these were questions for another day for now Jupiter and Hercules another day for now Jupiter and Hercules another day for now Jupiter and Hercules would rule the United Empire in

would rule the United Empire in would rule the United Empire in harmony well dang it not fully United harmony well dang it not fully United harmony well dang it not fully United anymore Hercules had gone and blundered anymore Hercules had gone and blundered anymore Hercules had gone and blundered Away the island of Away the island of Away the island of Britain next week Jupiter will travel to Britain next week Jupiter will travel to Britain next week Jupiter will travel to the west to help his faithful hero the west to help his faithful hero the west to help his faithful hero regain his footing but it won't do much regain his footing but it won't do much regain his footing but it won't do much good after running a joint campaign to good after running a joint campaign to good after running a joint campaign to put the final Crackdown on any German put the final Crackdown on any German put the final Crackdown on any German troublemakers Diocesan would leave the troublemakers Diocesan would leave the troublemakers Diocesan would leave the recovery of Britain in the hands of recovery of Britain in the hands of recovery of Britain in the hands of maximan but good old Hercules would maximan but good old Hercules would maximan but good old Hercules would botch the job again and wind up leaving botch the job again and wind up leaving botch the job again and wind up leaving corus's position even stronger than it corus's position even stronger than it corus's position even stronger than it had been had been had been before the upshot of the botched before the upshot of the botched before the upshot of the botched retaking of Britain was daan's retaking of Britain was daan's retaking of Britain was daan's realization that two Emperors were realization that two Emperors were realization that two Emperors were perhaps not perhaps not perhaps not enough the British question wasn't going enough the British question wasn't going enough the British question wasn't going anywhere but the Empire couldn't afford anywhere but the Empire couldn't afford anywhere but the Empire couldn't afford to have maximian forever bogg down on to have maximian forever bogg down on to have maximian forever bogg down on the gall Coast he was needed the gall Coast he was needed the gall Coast he was needed elsewhere so next week we will see elsewhere so next week we will see elsewhere so next week we will see another doubling of Imperial Authority another doubling of Imperial Authority another doubling of Imperial Authority and for the first time in its long and for the first time in its long and for the first time in its long history Rome would have four Emperors history Rome would have four Emperors history Rome would have four Emperors working in concert with each other a working in concert with each other a working in concert with each other a system that we have come to know as the tetrarchy before we go this week I want tetrarchy before we go this week I want to mention two things for those of you to mention two things for those of you to mention two things for those of you out there who just can't get enough Mike out there who just can't get enough Mike out there who just can't get enough Mike Duncan in your Duncan in your Duncan in your lives first I did an interview last week lives first I did an interview last week lives first I did an interview last week with Andrew Johnston on his podcast with Andrew Johnston on his podcast with Andrew Johnston on his podcast squared show squared show squared show so if you want to listen to me ramble on so if you want to listen to me ramble on so if you want to listen to me ramble on about various topics and say um and sort

about various topics and say um and sort about various topics and say um and sort of a lot you can download podcast of a lot you can download podcast of a lot you can download podcast squared on iTunes or at the lifestyle squared on iTunes or at the lifestyle squared on iTunes or at the lifestyle pod pod pod Network the URL for the direct download Network the URL for the direct download Network the URL for the direct download is a mouthful so I'll just post a link is a mouthful so I'll just post a link is a mouthful so I'll just post a link at the historyof rome. typepad.com at the historyof rome. typepad.com at the historyof rome. typepad.com second in the more funsy category I will second in the more funsy category I will second in the more funsy category I will be a guest on listener Matthew Johnson's be a guest on listener Matthew Johnson's be a guest on listener Matthew Johnson's local Austin radio show remix on local Austin radio show remix on local Austin radio show remix on Wednesday January 19th at 2 p.m. central Wednesday January 19th at 2 p.m. central Wednesday January 19th at 2 p.m. central Time what I get to do is bring in a Time what I get to do is bring in a Time what I get to do is bring in a mixtape of music and then talk with him mixtape of music and then talk with him mixtape of music and then talk with him about the relationship between work and about the relationship between work and about the relationship between work and writing and music so it should be lots writing and music so it should be lots writing and music so it should be lots of fun if you want to listen to the of fun if you want to listen to the of fun if you want to listen to the music that I listen to while writing the music that I listen to while writing the music that I listen to while writing the show you can stream Co-op radio online show you can stream Co-op radio online show you can stream Co-op radio online at www Koop p.org that too will get a at www Koop p.org that too will get a at www Koop p.org that too will get a link at the historyof rome. typepad.com link at the historyof rome. typepad.com link at the historyof rome. typepad.com so January 19 at 2 p.m. see you then hello and welcome to the history of

hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 123 the tetrarchy I want to begin this week with tetrarchy I want to begin this week with a correction regarding the legend of a correction regarding the legend of a correction regarding the legend of Diocesan Ascension as many of you have Diocesan Ascension as many of you have Diocesan Ascension as many of you have noted the Doom pretorian prefect Lucius noted the Doom pretorian prefect Lucius noted the Doom pretorian prefect Lucius ap's name does not translate into ap's name does not translate into ap's name does not translate into English as ass at all but instead as English as ass at all but instead as English as ass at all but instead as bore and it's a good thing that it does bore and it's a good thing that it does bore and it's a good thing that it does because when I went back and checked the because when I went back and checked the because when I went back and checked the supposed prophecy issued to Young Dian supposed prophecy issued to Young Dian supposed prophecy issued to Young Dian it actually says that he would gain the it actually says that he would gain the it actually says that he would gain the throne after killing a boar not an ass throne after killing a boar not an ass throne after killing a boar not an ass as I as I as I said so the pun still works I just wrote said so the pun still works I just wrote said so the pun still works I just wrote down the wrong animal name when I was down the wrong animal name when I was down the wrong animal name when I was working up the outline for that week's working up the outline for that week's working up the outline for that week's show I feel doubly silly for making this show I feel doubly silly for making this show I feel doubly silly for making this mistake since way back during the mistake since way back during the mistake since way back during the episodes on the first Punic War I told episodes on the first Punic War I told episodes on the first Punic War I told you all the story of how neas Cornelius you all the story of how neas Cornelius you all the story of how neas Cornelius skipio managed to earn the cognin asena skipio managed to earn the cognin asena skipio managed to earn the cognin asena after leading the Romans into their after leading the Romans into their after leading the Romans into their first naval battle and consequently first naval battle and consequently first naval battle and consequently first Naval defeat into 261 BC cpio the first Naval defeat into 261 BC cpio the first Naval defeat into 261 BC cpio the ass they called him why I thought that ass they called him why I thought that ass they called him why I thought that AP should now also translate his ass is AP should now also translate his ass is AP should now also translate his ass is a mystery for the ages I regret the a mystery for the ages I regret the a mystery for the ages I regret the error and thanks to all of you out there error and thanks to all of you out there error and thanks to all of you out there who corrected the mistranslation with an who corrected the mistranslation with an who corrected the mistranslation with an official hat tip to listener lb for official hat tip to listener lb for official hat tip to listener lb for being first on the scene last week we covered the first few scene last week we covered the first few years of dian's Reign and specifically years of dian's Reign and specifically years of dian's Reign and specifically his decision to elevate his colleague his decision to elevate his colleague his decision to elevate his colleague maximian to the rank of Caesar in 285 maximian to the rank of Caesar in 285 maximian to the rank of Caesar in 285 and then to co Augustus in

and then to co Augustus in and then to co Augustus in 286 this week we will see the Imperial 286 this week we will see the Imperial 286 this week we will see the Imperial College expand even further as two more College expand even further as two more College expand even further as two more generals constantius and garious will be generals constantius and garious will be generals constantius and garious will be invited to share in the purple in invited to share in the purple in invited to share in the purple in 293 this division of sovereignty at 293 this division of sovereignty at 293 this division of sovereignty at first proved to be an inspired move and first proved to be an inspired move and first proved to be an inspired move and helped to to ensure that Rome remained helped to to ensure that Rome remained helped to to ensure that Rome remained ascendant from Britain to Mesopotamia ascendant from Britain to Mesopotamia ascendant from Britain to Mesopotamia and everywhere in between but eventually and everywhere in between but eventually and everywhere in between but eventually the system will collapse when it comes the system will collapse when it comes the system will collapse when it comes time to hand off the so-called tetrarchy time to hand off the so-called tetrarchy time to hand off the so-called tetrarchy to the Next to the Next to the Next Generation but though it would not Generation but though it would not Generation but though it would not survive the years of the tetrarchy are survive the years of the tetrarchy are survive the years of the tetrarchy are amongst the most important in Roman amongst the most important in Roman amongst the most important in Roman history and not just because they set history and not just because they set history and not just because they set the stage for the rise of Constantine the stage for the rise of Constantine the stage for the rise of Constantine the the the Great under the watchful eye of Diocesan Great under the watchful eye of Diocesan Great under the watchful eye of Diocesan and his colleagues the Roman world will and his colleagues the Roman world will and his colleagues the Roman world will be train transformed in ways both large be train transformed in ways both large be train transformed in ways both large and small to better meet the challenges and small to better meet the challenges and small to better meet the challenges that it now that it now that it now faced all of which poses a bit of a faced all of which poses a bit of a faced all of which poses a bit of a problem for your humble problem for your humble problem for your humble podcaster you see this fragmentation of podcaster you see this fragmentation of podcaster you see this fragmentation of Imperial Authority leads to a Imperial Authority leads to a Imperial Authority leads to a fragmentation of the narrative as now fragmentation of the narrative as now fragmentation of the narrative as now four separate centers of Power are four separate centers of Power are four separate centers of Power are running four separate political and running four separate political and running four separate political and Military apparatuses Military apparatuses Military apparatuses simultaneously and when you couple this simultaneously and when you couple this simultaneously and when you couple this with the fact that along the way life as with the fact that along the way life as with the fact that along the way life as everyone knew it was being radically everyone knew it was being radically everyone knew it was being radically redefined what you get is a big old redefined what you get is a big old redefined what you get is a big old mess say what you want about the mess say what you want about the mess say what you want about the drawbacks of a relian running around drawbacks of a relian running around drawbacks of a relian running around like a crazy person doing everything by like a crazy person doing everything by like a crazy person doing everything by himself but at least it made for a himself but at least it made for a himself but at least it made for a coherent

coherent coherent storyline the 290s and early 300s ad on storyline the 290s and early 300s ad on storyline the 290s and early 300s ad on the other hand are a confused mess of the other hand are a confused mess of the other hand are a confused mess of War politics economic reform and social War politics economic reform and social War politics economic reform and social reconstruction all happening all at reconstruction all happening all at reconstruction all happening all at once so what I've decided to do is to once so what I've decided to do is to once so what I've decided to do is to try to run the chronological narrative try to run the chronological narrative try to run the chronological narrative up to the beginning of the great up to the beginning of the great up to the beginning of the great persecution of 303 ad which will take persecution of 303 ad which will take persecution of 303 ad which will take maybe two full episodes and then we'll maybe two full episodes and then we'll maybe two full episodes and then we'll double back and cover the reform sty double back and cover the reform sty double back and cover the reform sty clean made to the military structure the clean made to the military structure the clean made to the military structure the governmental apparatus and the economic governmental apparatus and the economic governmental apparatus and the economic system all of which may require separate system all of which may require separate system all of which may require separate episodes unto themselves though I episodes unto themselves though I episodes unto themselves though I haven't yet decided how exactly I'm haven't yet decided how exactly I'm haven't yet decided how exactly I'm going to break it down we are in the going to break it down we are in the going to break it down we are in the process of establishing the ground rules process of establishing the ground rules process of establishing the ground rules for late Antiquity so I don't want gloss for late Antiquity so I don't want gloss for late Antiquity so I don't want gloss over anything but I also don't want to over anything but I also don't want to over anything but I also don't want to get so bogged down that we don't make get so bogged down that we don't make get so bogged down that we don't make any forward progress at any forward progress at any forward progress at all okay are we ready here we all okay are we ready here we all okay are we ready here we go in the spring of 288 a Diocesan go in the spring of 288 a Diocesan go in the spring of 288 a Diocesan arrived in Gul to meet with his brother arrived in Gul to meet with his brother arrived in Gul to meet with his brother Emperor maximan and helped lay the Emperor maximan and helped lay the Emperor maximan and helped lay the foundation for the eventual retaking of foundation for the eventual retaking of foundation for the eventual retaking of Britain and the gall Coast from the Britain and the gall Coast from the Britain and the gall Coast from the usurper usurper usurper coroas without a fleet of their own the coroas without a fleet of their own the coroas without a fleet of their own the two augusty for the moment had to focus two augusty for the moment had to focus two augusty for the moment had to focus on pacifying the main land so that when on pacifying the main land so that when on pacifying the main land so that when the inevitable invasion of Britain was the inevitable invasion of Britain was the inevitable invasion of Britain was launched they would not have to worry launched they would not have to worry launched they would not have to worry about trouble from the Germanic tribes about trouble from the Germanic tribes about trouble from the Germanic tribes at their at their at their rear for the rest of the year they ran rear for the rest of the year they ran rear for the rest of the year they ran joint campaigns on the far side of the joint campaigns on the far side of the joint campaigns on the far side of the Rind with maximan operating on the lower

Rind with maximan operating on the lower Rind with maximan operating on the lower half of the river and diol covering the half of the river and diol covering the half of the river and diol covering the upper upper upper half it was a merciless scorched Earth half it was a merciless scorched Earth half it was a merciless scorched Earth war that saw crops and livestock as much war that saw crops and livestock as much war that saw crops and livestock as much the target of legionary aggression as the target of legionary aggression as the target of legionary aggression as the tribesmen themselves and by the end the tribesmen themselves and by the end the tribesmen themselves and by the end of the year the exhausted and starved of the year the exhausted and starved of the year the exhausted and starved Germans were in no position to threaten Germans were in no position to threaten Germans were in no position to threaten Roman Roman Roman interests Fortune was finally smiling on interests Fortune was finally smiling on interests Fortune was finally smiling on the Romans again and the two austi even the Romans again and the two austi even the Romans again and the two austi even began the process of reoccupying began the process of reoccupying began the process of reoccupying portions of the LI germanicus that had portions of the LI germanicus that had portions of the LI germanicus that had been more or less abandoned some 20 been more or less abandoned some 20 been more or less abandoned some 20 years before satisfied with the hammer he had before satisfied with the hammer he had just laid on the Germans a Diocesan just laid on the Germans a Diocesan just laid on the Germans a Diocesan withdrew back to the east at the end of withdrew back to the east at the end of withdrew back to the east at the end of the year to keep an eye on the rest of the year to keep an eye on the rest of the year to keep an eye on the rest of the Empire while his colleague was busy the Empire while his colleague was busy the Empire while his colleague was busy with the British question and in the with the British question and in the with the British question and in the spring of 289 maximan was ready to spring of 289 maximan was ready to spring of 289 maximan was ready to answer that answer that answer that question an invasion Fleet had been question an invasion Fleet had been question an invasion Fleet had been under construction for some time and now under construction for some time and now under construction for some time and now that the Germans were fairly well that the Germans were fairly well that the Germans were fairly well pacified maximan was able to use the Ry pacified maximan was able to use the Ry pacified maximan was able to use the Ry Delta as his launching pad into the Delta as his launching pad into the Delta as his launching pad into the North North North Sea though the emperor had no choice but Sea though the emperor had no choice but Sea though the emperor had no choice but to attempt to retake Britain from the to attempt to retake Britain from the to attempt to retake Britain from the very beginning he faced an uphill battle very beginning he faced an uphill battle very beginning he faced an uphill battle krosus and his Navy were experts at krosus and his Navy were experts at krosus and his Navy were experts at navigating the rough Northern Waters and navigating the rough Northern Waters and navigating the rough Northern Waters and their experience stood in stark contrast their experience stood in stark contrast their experience stood in stark contrast to maximan and his utterly green to maximan and his utterly green to maximan and his utterly green Navy on top of that Kroes had been hard Navy on top of that Kroes had been hard Navy on top of that Kroes had been hard at work fortifying the British coast and at work fortifying the British coast and at work fortifying the British coast and in particular beefing up the so-called in particular beefing up the so-called in particular beefing up the so-called forts of the Saxon Shore a series of

forts of the Saxon Shore a series of forts of the Saxon Shore a series of nine fortresses which though built at nine fortresses which though built at nine fortresses which though built at different periods were very likely fused different periods were very likely fused different periods were very likely fused by coroas into a single unit of command by coroas into a single unit of command by coroas into a single unit of command at this point in at this point in at this point in history what this all meant is that even history what this all meant is that even history what this all meant is that even if maximian ran kosia his blockade he if maximian ran kosia his blockade he if maximian ran kosia his blockade he would find no easy Landing SES on the would find no easy Landing SES on the would find no easy Landing SES on the other side but still maximian had to try other side but still maximian had to try other side but still maximian had to try and so try he and so try he and so try he did it is perhaps not surprising that did it is perhaps not surprising that did it is perhaps not surprising that all we know today about the invasion of all we know today about the invasion of all we know today about the invasion of 289 is that it 289 is that it 289 is that it failed Emperors were not in the habit of failed Emperors were not in the habit of failed Emperors were not in the habit of dwelling on their defeats so it is only dwelling on their defeats so it is only dwelling on their defeats so it is only by way of a few passing references that by way of a few passing references that by way of a few passing references that we even know the attempt was made at all we even know the attempt was made at all we even know the attempt was made at all and these diplomatically blame the and these diplomatically blame the and these diplomatically blame the weather for Maxim's failure to retake weather for Maxim's failure to retake weather for Maxim's failure to retake Britain and who knows maybe it was the Britain and who knows maybe it was the Britain and who knows maybe it was the weather it's not like the North Sea and weather it's not like the North Sea and weather it's not like the North Sea and the English Channel are the calmest the English Channel are the calmest the English Channel are the calmest bodies of water in the world but it's bodies of water in the world but it's bodies of water in the world but it's just as likely that maximian just as likely that maximian just as likely that maximian inexperience on the Seas made him easy inexperience on the Seas made him easy inexperience on the Seas made him easy pickings for corus's expert Fleet and pickings for corus's expert Fleet and pickings for corus's expert Fleet and that it was man and not nature who drove that it was man and not nature who drove that it was man and not nature who drove the emperor the emperor the emperor back whoever it was maximian fleet was back whoever it was maximian fleet was back whoever it was maximian fleet was destroyed and Hercules was now further destroyed and Hercules was now further destroyed and Hercules was now further from recapturing Britain than he had from recapturing Britain than he had from recapturing Britain than he had ever ever ever been as fast as the Imperial Post been as fast as the Imperial Post been as fast as the Imperial Post allowed news reached out oian who by allowed news reached out oian who by allowed news reached out oian who by that time had planted himself far in the that time had planted himself far in the that time had planted himself far in the East to help settle the new boundaries East to help settle the new boundaries East to help settle the new boundaries with Persia and the No Doubt severely with Persia and the No Doubt severely with Persia and the No Doubt severely disappointed Emperor spent 2 90 ad

disappointed Emperor spent 2 90 ad disappointed Emperor spent 2 90 ad making his way back to the West very making his way back to the West very making his way back to the West very possibly forming in his mind the new New possibly forming in his mind the new New possibly forming in his mind the new New Order he would soon introduced to the Order he would soon introduced to the Order he would soon introduced to the world along the world along the world along the way beaten and battered Maxim I at this way beaten and battered Maxim I at this way beaten and battered Maxim I at this point seems to have taken at least some point seems to have taken at least some point seems to have taken at least some note of what could now only be described note of what could now only be described note of what could now only be described as his shaky political as his shaky political as his shaky political position whatever the long-term position whatever the long-term position whatever the long-term consequences of Diocesan new argument of consequences of Diocesan new argument of consequences of Diocesan new argument of rule by divine right at that time at rule by divine right at that time at rule by divine right at that time at that moment legitimacy was still based that moment legitimacy was still based that moment legitimacy was still based on one thing and one thing only military on one thing and one thing only military on one thing and one thing only military Victory perhaps sensing that his Victory perhaps sensing that his Victory perhaps sensing that his subordinate commanders were salivating subordinate commanders were salivating subordinate commanders were salivating maximian secured the Loyalty of the best maximian secured the Loyalty of the best maximian secured the Loyalty of the best and most ambitious of them all by and most ambitious of them all by and most ambitious of them all by arranging for the man to divorce his arranging for the man to divorce his arranging for the man to divorce his wife and marry maximian daughter wife and marry maximian daughter wife and marry maximian daughter Theodora thus securing a familial Theodora thus securing a familial Theodora thus securing a familial Alliance that maximian hoped would help Alliance that maximian hoped would help Alliance that maximian hoped would help keep him propped up in power while he or keep him propped up in power while he or keep him propped up in power while he or more accurately Diocesan figured out more accurately Diocesan figured out more accurately Diocesan figured out what to do what to do what to do next the man in question was a fellow next the man in question was a fellow next the man in question was a fellow Yan General with a naturally pale Yan General with a naturally pale Yan General with a naturally pale complexion by the name of constantius complexion by the name of constantius complexion by the name of constantius chlorus constantius had been born around chlorus constantius had been born around chlorus constantius had been born around 250 ad in Alyria so he was just about 250 ad in Alyria so he was just about 250 ad in Alyria so he was just about the same age as the man who was about to the same age as the man who was about to the same age as the man who was about to become his quote become his quote become his quote father though there is a whole tradition father though there is a whole tradition father though there is a whole tradition that has constantius being the son of that has constantius being the son of that has constantius being the son of nobility it is more likely that like the nobility it is more likely that like the nobility it is more likely that like the rest of the yyan Emperors he was of low

rest of the yyan Emperors he was of low rest of the yyan Emperors he was of low birth and that his son Constantine went birth and that his son Constantine went birth and that his son Constantine went back and gave his father a more back and gave his father a more back and gave his father a more prestigious pedigree to bolster his own prestigious pedigree to bolster his own prestigious pedigree to bolster his own Imperial claims specifically linking the Imperial claims specifically linking the Imperial claims specifically linking the family to the emperor Claudius gothicus family to the emperor Claudius gothicus family to the emperor Claudius gothicus by way of constantius his mother by way of constantius his mother by way of constantius his mother Claudia whatever his genealogical Claudia whatever his genealogical Claudia whatever his genealogical Heritage constantius proved his worth as Heritage constantius proved his worth as Heritage constantius proved his worth as a soldier right away and while still in a soldier right away and while still in a soldier right away and while still in his early 20s he was promoted into the his early 20s he was promoted into the his early 20s he was promoted into the ranks of aurelian elite ranks of aurelian elite ranks of aurelian elite bodyguard right around this time he also bodyguard right around this time he also bodyguard right around this time he also sired a child with his wife Helena a son sired a child with his wife Helena a son sired a child with his wife Helena a son who would become known as flavius who would become known as flavius who would become known as flavius valerious Aurelius constantius but who valerious Aurelius constantius but who valerious Aurelius constantius but who we know today as we know today as we know today as Constantine constantius meanwhile fought Constantine constantius meanwhile fought Constantine constantius meanwhile fought alongside aurelian during the palyan alongside aurelian during the palyan alongside aurelian during the palyan wars and then continued his climb up the wars and then continued his climb up the wars and then continued his climb up the ranks during the Reigns of probis and ranks during the Reigns of probis and ranks during the Reigns of probis and Kus eventually finding himself governor Kus eventually finding himself governor Kus eventually finding himself governor of Dalmatia when the confrontation of Dalmatia when the confrontation of Dalmatia when the confrontation between kinus and Diocesan exploded into between kinus and Diocesan exploded into between kinus and Diocesan exploded into open War which meant that he was quite open War which meant that he was quite open War which meant that he was quite literally caught in the middle when the literally caught in the middle when the literally caught in the middle when the fighting fighting fighting began but displaying some Nimble PRS began but displaying some Nimble PRS began but displaying some Nimble PRS constantius declared for Dian right constantius declared for Dian right constantius declared for Dian right before the issue was decided and it before the issue was decided and it before the issue was decided and it should be remembered right before it was should be remembered right before it was should be remembered right before it was at all clear that Diocesan was going to at all clear that Diocesan was going to at all clear that Diocesan was going to win and so he wound up squarely but just win and so he wound up squarely but just win and so he wound up squarely but just barely in the Victor's camp in barely in the Victor's camp in barely in the Victor's camp in 285 when his term as Governor was up 285 when his term as Governor was up 285 when his term as Governor was up constantius was promoted to the decision constantius was promoted to the decision constantius was promoted to the decision of petorian prefect in the West in 288 of petorian prefect in the West in 288 of petorian prefect in the West in 288 where he continued to distinguish

where he continued to distinguish where he continued to distinguish himself during the campaigns on the east himself during the campaigns on the east himself during the campaigns on the east side of the rine in preparation for the side of the rine in preparation for the side of the rine in preparation for the invasion of Britain we don't really know what role Britain we don't really know what role constantius played in the failed constantius played in the failed constantius played in the failed invasion of Britain though as prefect he invasion of Britain though as prefect he invasion of Britain though as prefect he had to have been neck deep in the had to have been neck deep in the had to have been neck deep in the preparations and later he showed very preparations and later he showed very preparations and later he showed very clearly that he had learn from the clearly that he had learn from the clearly that he had learn from the mistakes that were made in 289 when he mistakes that were made in 289 when he mistakes that were made in 289 when he initiated his own successful initiated his own successful initiated his own successful Invasion we also don't really know what Invasion we also don't really know what Invasion we also don't really know what long-term dynastic plans were at work long-term dynastic plans were at work long-term dynastic plans were at work when maximan married his daughter to when maximan married his daughter to when maximan married his daughter to constantius that same constantius that same constantius that same year that is did constantius marry year that is did constantius marry year that is did constantius marry Theodora because Diocesan already Theodora because Diocesan already Theodora because Diocesan already planned to make him a Caesar planned to make him a Caesar planned to make him a Caesar or was constantius made Caesar because or was constantius made Caesar because or was constantius made Caesar because he was already married to he was already married to he was already married to Theodora this question hinges on when Theodora this question hinges on when Theodora this question hinges on when Diocesan first conceived of the Diocesan first conceived of the Diocesan first conceived of the tetrarchy which is unfortunately a tetrarchy which is unfortunately a tetrarchy which is unfortunately a question we do not have a good answer question we do not have a good answer question we do not have a good answer to however we do have a good answer as to however we do have a good answer as to however we do have a good answer as to when Diocesan probably first broach to when Diocesan probably first broach to when Diocesan probably first broach the subject of further dividing the the subject of further dividing the the subject of further dividing the Empire with maximan and that would be Empire with maximan and that would be Empire with maximan and that would be over the winter of 290 291 over the winter of 290 291 over the winter of 290 291 by that time Diocesan had traveled all by that time Diocesan had traveled all by that time Diocesan had traveled all the way back to Milan to meet with the way back to Milan to meet with the way back to Milan to meet with maximan and Shore up the regime after maximan and Shore up the regime after maximan and Shore up the regime after its nasty setback in the its nasty setback in the its nasty setback in the north the two Emperors oversaw solemn north the two Emperors oversaw solemn north the two Emperors oversaw solemn ceremonies and exuberant games to ceremonies and exuberant games to ceremonies and exuberant games to celebrate their rule the peace and celebrate their rule the peace and celebrate their rule the peace and stability of the Empire and their Mutual stability of the Empire and their Mutual stability of the Empire and their Mutual support for one

support for one support for one another whatever else he took away from another whatever else he took away from another whatever else he took away from the pageantry there was no denying that the pageantry there was no denying that the pageantry there was no denying that despite the recent failures Diocesan despite the recent failures Diocesan despite the recent failures Diocesan still stood behind maximon 100% still stood behind maximon 100% still stood behind maximon 100% % over the course of the winter and the % over the course of the winter and the % over the course of the winter and the following year the two men met often and following year the two men met often and following year the two men met often and Diocesan likely laid out his plans for Diocesan likely laid out his plans for Diocesan likely laid out his plans for the future and what he expected of the future and what he expected of the future and what he expected of maximan which is why some surmise that maximan which is why some surmise that maximan which is why some surmise that it was at this point that Diocesan it was at this point that Diocesan it was at this point that Diocesan revealed his plans to appoint Junior revealed his plans to appoint Junior revealed his plans to appoint Junior colleagues to Aid in their massive colleagues to Aid in their massive colleagues to Aid in their massive struggle to secure a bright future for struggle to secure a bright future for struggle to secure a bright future for the Empire after the meetings in Milan Empire after the meetings in Milan Diocesan headed back to his deao capital Diocesan headed back to his deao capital Diocesan headed back to his deao capital in Ni media while maximian remained in in Ni media while maximian remained in in Ni media while maximian remained in Italy where exactly constantius was at Italy where exactly constantius was at Italy where exactly constantius was at this point is unknown but he was this point is unknown but he was this point is unknown but he was somewhere in the west either seeing the somewhere in the west either seeing the somewhere in the west either seeing the things in Gaul or staying in Milan with things in Gaul or staying in Milan with things in Gaul or staying in Milan with maximan the whereabouts of the fourth maximan the whereabouts of the fourth maximan the whereabouts of the fourth member of our eventual tetrarchy though member of our eventual tetrarchy though member of our eventual tetrarchy though is an even greater is an even greater is an even greater mystery though garus will soon emerge as mystery though garus will soon emerge as mystery though garus will soon emerge as a formidable force in Roman history for a formidable force in Roman history for a formidable force in Roman history for example in many ways he wound up being example in many ways he wound up being example in many ways he wound up being the witting author of Rome's the witting author of Rome's the witting author of Rome's christianization which is uh not a small christianization which is uh not a small christianization which is uh not a small thing at all his life and career up to thing at all his life and career up to thing at all his life and career up to this point is shrouded and this point is shrouded and this point is shrouded and Miss he was born sometime between 250 Miss he was born sometime between 250 Miss he was born sometime between 250 and 260 and was probably slightly and 260 and was probably slightly and 260 and was probably slightly younger than constantius though not by younger than constantius though not by younger than constantius though not by much unlike the rest of his colleagues much unlike the rest of his colleagues much unlike the rest of his colleagues garius also appears to have been born in

garius also appears to have been born in garius also appears to have been born in thce rather than one of the Alyan thce rather than one of the Alyan thce rather than one of the Alyan provinces proper and for a time he provinces proper and for a time he provinces proper and for a time he followed his father as a herdsman before followed his father as a herdsman before followed his father as a herdsman before deciding to join the Army most likely deciding to join the Army most likely deciding to join the Army most likely during the reign of during the reign of during the reign of aelian he too no doubt established aelian he too no doubt established aelian he too no doubt established himself as a highly capable Soldier himself as a highly capable Soldier himself as a highly capable Soldier because in just a few years he went from because in just a few years he went from because in just a few years he went from new recruit to high ranking officer and new recruit to high ranking officer and new recruit to high ranking officer and like his future colleague constantius he like his future colleague constantius he like his future colleague constantius he was very possibly appointed petorian was very possibly appointed petorian was very possibly appointed petorian prefect by the late 280s ad serving prefect by the late 280s ad serving prefect by the late 280s ad serving under Dian in the under Dian in the under Dian in the East but beyond this we know almost East but beyond this we know almost East but beyond this we know almost nothing about how garius managed to nothing about how garius managed to nothing about how garius managed to distinguish himself from all the other distinguish himself from all the other distinguish himself from all the other viable candidates when it came time for viable candidates when it came time for viable candidates when it came time for Diocesan to expand the Imperial College but distinguish himself he did College but distinguish himself he did and in the spring of 293 ad after much and in the spring of 293 ad after much and in the spring of 293 ad after much consideration and with so many of the consideration and with so many of the consideration and with so many of the Empire's long-term problems still Empire's long-term problems still Empire's long-term problems still unresolved Diocesan made the move to unresolved Diocesan made the move to unresolved Diocesan made the move to name two more members of the Imperial name two more members of the Imperial name two more members of the Imperial Brotherhood and establish what we today Brotherhood and establish what we today Brotherhood and establish what we today refer to as the refer to as the refer to as the tetrarchy though it is important to note tetrarchy though it is important to note tetrarchy though it is important to note that like the first Triumph no one that like the first Triumph no one that like the first Triumph no one called it the tetrarchy at the called it the tetrarchy at the called it the tetrarchy at the time in simultaneous ceremonies in time in simultaneous ceremonies in time in simultaneous ceremonies in serium and milon the two augusti each serium and milon the two augusti each serium and milon the two augusti each formerly elevated a colleague to serve formerly elevated a colleague to serve formerly elevated a colleague to serve alongside them maximian investing alongside them maximian investing alongside them maximian investing constantius and Diocesan investing constantius and Diocesan investing constantius and Diocesan investing garus to cement the Imperial Alliance garus to cement the Imperial Alliance garus to cement the Imperial Alliance each new Caesar was married to the

each new Caesar was married to the each new Caesar was married to the daughter of an Augustus though the daughter of an Augustus though the daughter of an Augustus though the timing of these marriages is still a timing of these marriages is still a timing of these marriages is still a matter of matter of matter of debate as I said Con anes appears to debate as I said Con anes appears to debate as I said Con anes appears to have already been married to Theodora have already been married to Theodora have already been married to Theodora which if true may have been the reason which if true may have been the reason which if true may have been the reason why he got the nod in the first place why he got the nod in the first place why he got the nod in the first place and it is likely that garius 2 was and it is likely that garius 2 was and it is likely that garius 2 was already married to dian's only daughter already married to dian's only daughter already married to dian's only daughter Valaria when he was elevated to Valaria when he was elevated to Valaria when he was elevated to power though this is all still up in the power though this is all still up in the power though this is all still up in the air we know for sure that by 293 each air we know for sure that by 293 each air we know for sure that by 293 each man was the son-in-law of their man was the son-in-law of their man was the son-in-law of their respective respective respective austi now as with Max siman's initial austi now as with Max siman's initial austi now as with Max siman's initial elevation constantius and garius were elevation constantius and garius were elevation constantius and garius were not made full austi but were instead not made full austi but were instead not made full austi but were instead raised to the rank of raised to the rank of raised to the rank of Caesar though they would outrank every Caesar though they would outrank every Caesar though they would outrank every other man in the Empire and would in other man in the Empire and would in other man in the Empire and would in their own territorial spheres have their own territorial spheres have their own territorial spheres have almost complete autonomy they were most almost complete autonomy they were most almost complete autonomy they were most definitely styled as the junior Partners definitely styled as the junior Partners definitely styled as the junior Partners in the in the in the equation maximian and Diocesan still equation maximian and Diocesan still equation maximian and Diocesan still outranked them and by virtue of both his outranked them and by virtue of both his outranked them and by virtue of both his seniority and his overpowering gravitas seniority and his overpowering gravitas seniority and his overpowering gravitas daian outr them all the empire was then roughly divided all the empire was then roughly divided in fourths with constantius taking Gaul in fourths with constantius taking Gaul in fourths with constantius taking Gaul and eventually Britain maximian in and eventually Britain maximian in and eventually Britain maximian in charge of Spain Africa and Italy garius charge of Spain Africa and Italy garius charge of Spain Africa and Italy garius taking the danu provinces and Diocesan taking the danu provinces and Diocesan taking the danu provinces and Diocesan watching the Far watching the Far watching the Far East the split in provinces reflected East the split in provinces reflected East the split in provinces reflected the relative seniority of the tetrarchs

the relative seniority of the tetrarchs the relative seniority of the tetrarchs with Diocesan and maximan taking the with Diocesan and maximan taking the with Diocesan and maximan taking the rich and relatively peaceful portions of rich and relatively peaceful portions of rich and relatively peaceful portions of the Empire while their Junior Caesars the Empire while their Junior Caesars the Empire while their Junior Caesars handled the much rougher regions along handled the much rougher regions along handled the much rougher regions along the Ry and danu the Ry and danu the Ry and danu Frontier constantius in particular was Frontier constantius in particular was Frontier constantius in particular was given the toughest assignment of all as given the toughest assignment of all as given the toughest assignment of all as it was made clear to him that his entire it was made clear to him that his entire it was made clear to him that his entire reason for being and possibly the whole reason for being and possibly the whole reason for being and possibly the whole reason the new tetrarchy existed at all reason the new tetrarchy existed at all reason the new tetrarchy existed at all was that Britain had to be retaken and was that Britain had to be retaken and was that Britain had to be retaken and retaking Britain now 7 years gone from retaking Britain now 7 years gone from retaking Britain now 7 years gone from Roman control had proven to be an Roman control had proven to be an Roman control had proven to be an impossible task up to that point so yeah impossible task up to that point so yeah impossible task up to that point so yeah good luck with good luck with good luck with that now before we go on I should note that now before we go on I should note that now before we go on I should note that these territorial divisions were in that these territorial divisions were in that these territorial divisions were in no way officially demarcated political no way officially demarcated political no way officially demarcated political units and in fact every chance he got units and in fact every chance he got units and in fact every chance he got daian emphasized the unity of the daian emphasized the unity of the daian emphasized the unity of the Empire he was sensitive to the fact that Empire he was sensitive to the fact that Empire he was sensitive to the fact that Rome had just gone through a traumatic Rome had just gone through a traumatic Rome had just gone through a traumatic decade and a half where the Empire decade and a half where the Empire decade and a half where the Empire really was divided from itself and he really was divided from itself and he really was divided from itself and he was not keen to reopen that still was not keen to reopen that still was not keen to reopen that still healing healing healing wound so he is established a precedent wound so he is established a precedent wound so he is established a precedent whereby each of the tetrarchs would whereby each of the tetrarchs would whereby each of the tetrarchs would share in the victories of the others share in the victories of the others share in the victories of the others coin in each other's names and come and coin in each other's names and come and coin in each other's names and come and go and shift spheres of influence as the go and shift spheres of influence as the go and shift spheres of influence as the situation dictated as we'll see Diocesan situation dictated as we'll see Diocesan situation dictated as we'll see Diocesan and garius in particular would flip-flop and garius in particular would flip-flop and garius in particular would flip-flop depending on where the Empire's fires depending on where the Empire's fires depending on where the Empire's fires were burning were burning were burning brightest power was being shared by four brightest power was being shared by four brightest power was being shared by four men and for obvious reasons each

men and for obvious reasons each men and for obvious reasons each established capitals allowing them to established capitals allowing them to established capitals allowing them to easily manage a different Zone but the easily manage a different Zone but the easily manage a different Zone but the Empire is still one Empire it is not Empire is still one Empire it is not Empire is still one Empire it is not Diocesan went to Great Lengths to Diocesan went to Great Lengths to Diocesan went to Great Lengths to Express nor will it ever be he repeated Express nor will it ever be he repeated Express nor will it ever be he repeated again and again four separate Empires following their respective Empires following their respective elevations the two new Caesars went to elevations the two new Caesars went to elevations the two new Caesars went to work right away for constantius this work right away for constantius this work right away for constantius this meant heading north to Trier where he meant heading north to Trier where he meant heading north to Trier where he immediately began to prepare a second immediately began to prepare a second immediately began to prepare a second invasion of Britain garius meanwhile invasion of Britain garius meanwhile invasion of Britain garius meanwhile immediately put lie to the notion that immediately put lie to the notion that immediately put lie to the notion that the tetrarchy territorial divisions were the tetrarchy territorial divisions were the tetrarchy territorial divisions were hard and fast by heading to Egypt to hard and fast by heading to Egypt to hard and fast by heading to Egypt to help quell an uprising on the upper Nile help quell an uprising on the upper Nile help quell an uprising on the upper Nile and he spent most of the next two years and he spent most of the next two years and he spent most of the next two years pacifying the Egyptian pacifying the Egyptian pacifying the Egyptian natives while he was engaged in Egypt natives while he was engaged in Egypt natives while he was engaged in Egypt events in CED Persia hinted at what events in CED Persia hinted at what events in CED Persia hinted at what gas's next assignment would gas's next assignment would gas's next assignment would be in 293 the Persian king bam II died be in 293 the Persian king bam II died be in 293 the Persian king bam II died leaving the throne to his young son leaving the throne to his young son leaving the throne to his young son baram III baram III baram III but just a few months later abam III but just a few months later abam III but just a few months later abam III would be deposed by another of shor's would be deposed by another of shor's would be deposed by another of shor's sons a man named narciss who despised sons a man named narciss who despised sons a man named narciss who despised his weak willed brother and nephew and his weak willed brother and nephew and his weak willed brother and nephew and planned to reintroduce the Marshal Vigor planned to reintroduce the Marshal Vigor planned to reintroduce the Marshal Vigor of artier and of artier and of artier and sharur in 295 a narciss broke the sharur in 295 a narciss broke the sharur in 295 a narciss broke the Eternal peace that had been established Eternal peace that had been established Eternal peace that had been established with Rome in 287 by invading Armenia and with Rome in 287 by invading Armenia and with Rome in 287 by invading Armenia and seizing the territories that had been seizing the territories that had been seizing the territories that had been seeded by baham in his negotiations with

seeded by baham in his negotiations with seeded by baham in his negotiations with Diocesan Diocesan Diocesan conflict between the two great Empires conflict between the two great Empires conflict between the two great Empires was now inevitable and Diocesan called was now inevitable and Diocesan called was now inevitable and Diocesan called garius to Antioch to begin preparations garius to Antioch to begin preparations garius to Antioch to begin preparations for war back in the west meanwhile war back in the west meanwhile constantius faced the question that had constantius faced the question that had constantius faced the question that had basically broken basically broken basically broken maximan how do we retake maximan how do we retake maximan how do we retake Britain now the new Caesar had some Britain now the new Caesar had some Britain now the new Caesar had some ideas as to how to run a better Invasion ideas as to how to run a better Invasion ideas as to how to run a better Invasion than maximan and when it finally came than maximan and when it finally came than maximan and when it finally came time to take back the island constantius time to take back the island constantius time to take back the island constantius did run a much more strategically sound did run a much more strategically sound did run a much more strategically sound campaign but the real problem the big campaign but the real problem the big campaign but the real problem the big problem was krosus problem was krosus problem was krosus himself the self-proclaimed Augustus of himself the self-proclaimed Augustus of himself the self-proclaimed Augustus of Britain and Northern Gaul was no dummy Britain and Northern Gaul was no dummy Britain and Northern Gaul was no dummy and he was no and he was no and he was no Tyrant by all accounts he was a sound Tyrant by all accounts he was a sound Tyrant by all accounts he was a sound administrator a Savvy negotiator a administrator a Savvy negotiator a administrator a Savvy negotiator a charismatic leader and an excellent charismatic leader and an excellent charismatic leader and an excellent Soldier he was essentially everything Soldier he was essentially everything Soldier he was essentially everything that you would want in an emperor and that you would want in an emperor and that you would want in an emperor and the citizens of his domains were highly the citizens of his domains were highly the citizens of his domains were highly ious of that ious of that ious of that fact the merchants loved him because he fact the merchants loved him because he fact the merchants loved him because he kept trade flourishing his Frankish kept trade flourishing his Frankish kept trade flourishing his Frankish allies loved him because they were allies loved him because they were allies loved him because they were treated almost as equal Partners the treated almost as equal Partners the treated almost as equal Partners the legions loved him because he maintained legions loved him because he maintained legions loved him because he maintained High currency standards and was always High currency standards and was always High currency standards and was always on time with pay and the general on time with pay and the general on time with pay and the general population loved him because he population loved him because he population loved him because he protected them from Marauders and protected them from Marauders and protected them from Marauders and Pirates corus much like postumus in the Pirates corus much like postumus in the Pirates corus much like postumus in the gall Empire was a capable leader leading gall Empire was a capable leader leading gall Empire was a capable leader leading capably there was no reason for anyone

capably there was no reason for anyone capably there was no reason for anyone to wish him ill to wish him ill to wish him ill will so when constantius was working up will so when constantius was working up will so when constantius was working up his invasion plans then he could pretty his invasion plans then he could pretty his invasion plans then he could pretty much Bank on the fact that there wasn't much Bank on the fact that there wasn't much Bank on the fact that there wasn't going to be some fifth column working going to be some fifth column working going to be some fifth column working behind the lines for him this was going behind the lines for him this was going behind the lines for him this was going to be an invasion of enemy territory in to be an invasion of enemy territory in to be an invasion of enemy territory in almost every sense of the word and they almost every sense of the word and they almost every sense of the word and they had a better Navy than he did and their had a better Navy than he did and their had a better Navy than he did and their coastlines were fortified and the coastlines were fortified and the coastlines were fortified and the British Legions were well paid and well British Legions were well paid and well British Legions were well paid and well supplied there was a reason maximian had supplied there was a reason maximian had supplied there was a reason maximian had failed so completely and it wasn't just failed so completely and it wasn't just failed so completely and it wasn't just that maximan had screwed it all up the that maximan had screwed it all up the that maximan had screwed it all up the recapture of Britain was a really really recapture of Britain was a really really recapture of Britain was a really really hard assignment next week we will see the assignment next week we will see the Empire at War on two fronts in the East Empire at War on two fronts in the East Empire at War on two fronts in the East garius will indeed be called upon to garius will indeed be called upon to garius will indeed be called upon to lead a Counterattack against a resurgent lead a Counterattack against a resurgent lead a Counterattack against a resurgent CED Empire and though in the end he will CED Empire and though in the end he will CED Empire and though in the end he will avenge the memory of valaran at first avenge the memory of valaran at first avenge the memory of valaran at first like so many Roman wars things did not like so many Roman wars things did not like so many Roman wars things did not go well at go well at go well at all in the west however things will go a all in the west however things will go a all in the west however things will go a bit better as constantius will carefully bit better as constantius will carefully bit better as constantius will carefully and methodically isolate krosus by and methodically isolate krosus by and methodically isolate krosus by Leading a brilliant little campaign Leading a brilliant little campaign Leading a brilliant little campaign against the Franks on the mainland then against the Franks on the mainland then against the Franks on the mainland then he will be given the greatest gift of he will be given the greatest gift of he will be given the greatest gift of all as krosus like postumus and all as krosus like postumus and all as krosus like postumus and odenathus before him will fall victim to odenathus before him will fall victim to odenathus before him will fall victim to an assassination plot that will leave an assassination plot that will leave an assassination plot that will leave Britain wide open for reconquest and Britain wide open for reconquest and Britain wide open for reconquest and allow constantius to style himself

allow constantius to style himself allow constantius to style himself the restorer of Eternal Light the restorer of Eternal Light the restorer of Eternal Light [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 124 the tetrarchs at Rome episode 124 the tetrarchs at Rome episode 124 the tetrarchs at War we left off last week with our two War we left off last week with our two War we left off last week with our two newly appointed Junior Emperors newly appointed Junior Emperors newly appointed Junior Emperors constantius and garius ready to begin constantius and garius ready to begin constantius and garius ready to begin the wars they had been assigned by their the wars they had been assigned by their the wars they had been assigned by their senior colleagues in the north senior colleagues in the north senior colleagues in the north constantius was making final constantius was making final constantius was making final preparations for his invasion of Britain preparations for his invasion of Britain preparations for his invasion of Britain while in the East garius outlined his while in the East garius outlined his while in the East garius outlined his strategy for a punitive Expedition strategy for a punitive Expedition strategy for a punitive Expedition against the cits who had recently broken against the cits who had recently broken against the cits who had recently broken their treaty with Rome by invading their treaty with Rome by invading their treaty with Rome by invading Armenia for the moment it looked like Armenia for the moment it looked like Armenia for the moment it looked like constantius had drawn the Short Straw constantius had drawn the Short Straw constantius had drawn the Short Straw forced to fight fellow Romans in an forced to fight fellow Romans in an forced to fight fellow Romans in an attempt to retake a nearly impregnable attempt to retake a nearly impregnable attempt to retake a nearly impregnable Island that had thus far proved to be an Island that had thus far proved to be an Island that had thus far proved to be an impossible nut to crack garius on the impossible nut to crack garius on the impossible nut to crack garius on the other hand got to fight Persians and in other hand got to fight Persians and in other hand got to fight Persians and in addition to the riches and Glory that addition to the riches and Glory that addition to the riches and Glory that usually came with campaigns in the east usually came with campaigns in the east usually came with campaigns in the east East garius also stood to be the man who

East garius also stood to be the man who East garius also stood to be the man who finally Avenged the long unavenged finally Avenged the long unavenged finally Avenged the long unavenged capture of capture of capture of valaran constantius his assignment was valaran constantius his assignment was valaran constantius his assignment was hard and hard and hard and unglamorous Gus's was well not easy but unglamorous Gus's was well not easy but unglamorous Gus's was well not easy but certainly not as hard and it was most certainly not as hard and it was most certainly not as hard and it was most likely going to prove 10 times as likely going to prove 10 times as likely going to prove 10 times as glamorous but despite the relative glamorous but despite the relative glamorous but despite the relative difficulties of their respective Wars it difficulties of their respective Wars it difficulties of their respective Wars it would shortly be constantius who was would shortly be constantius who was would shortly be constantius who was bathed in glory for reconquering the bathed in glory for reconquering the bathed in glory for reconquering the province of Britannia and garius who was province of Britannia and garius who was province of Britannia and garius who was forced to walk a mile in front of dian's forced to walk a mile in front of dian's forced to walk a mile in front of dian's litter as Penance for the defeats he had suffered to deal with the Western Front suffered to deal with the Western Front first we must follow constantius from first we must follow constantius from first we must follow constantius from Milan up to Trier where he established a Milan up to Trier where he established a Milan up to Trier where he established a capital for his coming capital for his coming capital for his coming campaigns as I mentioned last week campaigns as I mentioned last week campaigns as I mentioned last week constantius was probably involved at the constantius was probably involved at the constantius was probably involved at the highest level in the previous attempt to highest level in the previous attempt to highest level in the previous attempt to retake Britain and so was acutely aware retake Britain and so was acutely aware retake Britain and so was acutely aware of what had gone wrong two two big of what had gone wrong two two big of what had gone wrong two two big mistakes appear to have stuck out to him mistakes appear to have stuck out to him mistakes appear to have stuck out to him first despite the understanding that first despite the understanding that first despite the understanding that they needed to pacify the Germans before they needed to pacify the Germans before they needed to pacify the Germans before proceeding they had not taken this to proceeding they had not taken this to proceeding they had not taken this to its logical its logical its logical conclusion that is they knocked out all conclusion that is they knocked out all conclusion that is they knocked out all the periphery tribes and established a the periphery tribes and established a the periphery tribes and established a launching pad from the Rin Delta but launching pad from the Rin Delta but launching pad from the Rin Delta but they had done nothing to directly attack they had done nothing to directly attack they had done nothing to directly attack corus's Frankish allies in Northern corus's Frankish allies in Northern corus's Frankish allies in Northern Gaul as long as Kroes controlled both Gaul as long as Kroes controlled both Gaul as long as Kroes controlled both sides of the English Channel Not only sides of the English Channel Not only sides of the English Channel Not only would his Supply and trade lines remain would his Supply and trade lines remain would his Supply and trade lines remain open and those trade lines were a part open and those trade lines were a part open and those trade lines were a part of the key to his legitimacy but he

of the key to his legitimacy but he of the key to his legitimacy but he would also be able to concentrate his would also be able to concentrate his would also be able to concentrate his Defense Forces on the Eastern approach Defense Forces on the Eastern approach Defense Forces on the Eastern approach to Britain since that would be the only to Britain since that would be the only to Britain since that would be the only Direction an invasion Fleet would be Direction an invasion Fleet would be Direction an invasion Fleet would be able to come able to come able to come from so constantius resolved to make his from so constantius resolved to make his from so constantius resolved to make his first objective dislodging the Franks first objective dislodging the Franks first objective dislodging the Franks from the Galla from the Galla from the Galla coast once they were out of the way he coast once they were out of the way he coast once they were out of the way he would be able to deal with the second would be able to deal with the second would be able to deal with the second big mistake namely that a single big mistake namely that a single big mistake namely that a single Invasion Force approaching from a Invasion Force approaching from a Invasion Force approaching from a direction the en expected was no way to direction the en expected was no way to direction the en expected was no way to break through a naval break through a naval break through a naval blockade you have to at least be a blockade you have to at least be a blockade you have to at least be a little sneaky about these things and so little sneaky about these things and so little sneaky about these things and so constantius resolved to be a little more constantius resolved to be a little more constantius resolved to be a little more sneaky when it came time to put his own sneaky when it came time to put his own sneaky when it came time to put his own ships in the ships in the ships in the water taken together these two water taken together these two water taken together these two Corrections wound up winning the war for Corrections wound up winning the war for Corrections wound up winning the war for constantius the first fatally undermined constantius the first fatally undermined constantius the first fatally undermined corus's regime the second completely corus's regime the second completely corus's regime the second completely paralyzed his successor right away that is in late 293 ad just right away that is in late 293 ad just months after being made Caesar months after being made Caesar months after being made Caesar constantius launched the first of his constantius launched the first of his constantius launched the first of his attacks in pursuit of objective one attacks in pursuit of objective one attacks in pursuit of objective one neutralize the neutralize the neutralize the Franks the key port on the Galla Coast Franks the key port on the Galla Coast Franks the key port on the Galla Coast controlled by the Franks was balone and controlled by the Franks was balone and controlled by the Franks was balone and so not beating around the bush so not beating around the bush so not beating around the bush constantius laid Siege to the city in constantius laid Siege to the city in constantius laid Siege to the city in the Autumn of the Autumn of the Autumn of 293 the Frankish leaders felt pretty 293 the Frankish leaders felt pretty 293 the Frankish leaders felt pretty good about their ability to hold out good about their ability to hold out good about their ability to hold out constantius was in no position to constantius was in no position to constantius was in no position to threaten their access to the Sea and the threaten their access to the Sea and the threaten their access to the Sea and the approach by land was thin and heavily approach by land was thin and heavily approach by land was thin and heavily fortified but constantius was not here

fortified but constantius was not here fortified but constantius was not here to mess around and even though no one to mess around and even though no one to mess around and even though no one probably not even his own men expected probably not even his own men expected probably not even his own men expected it the Caesar went right for the jugular it the Caesar went right for the jugular it the Caesar went right for the jugular and began to threaten the Frank's access and began to threaten the Frank's access and began to threaten the Frank's access to the to the to the Sea it's a little hard to describe but Sea it's a little hard to describe but Sea it's a little hard to describe but in essence constantius had his men build in essence constantius had his men build in essence constantius had his men build a dam across the harbor cutting off any a dam across the harbor cutting off any a dam across the harbor cutting off any possible sea traffic though he had no possible sea traffic though he had no possible sea traffic though he had no Navy to speak of constantius was thus Navy to speak of constantius was thus Navy to speak of constantius was thus able to cut off the Frankish ships from able to cut off the Frankish ships from able to cut off the Frankish ships from their main Port of call and leave the their main Port of call and leave the their main Port of call and leave the Defenders of balone stranded without the Defenders of balone stranded without the Defenders of balone stranded without the possibility of possibility of possibility of relief it did not take long for them to relief it did not take long for them to relief it did not take long for them to recognize that their situation was recognize that their situation was recognize that their situation was hopeless and capitulate to constantius hopeless and capitulate to constantius hopeless and capitulate to constantius his his his Legions the capture of balone while in Legions the capture of balone while in Legions the capture of balone while in and of itself a good thing actually and of itself a good thing actually and of itself a good thing actually turned out to be a bigger Boon to turned out to be a bigger Boon to turned out to be a bigger Boon to constantius his chances of winning back constantius his chances of winning back constantius his chances of winning back Britain than even he could have Britain than even he could have Britain than even he could have predicted at the outset predicted at the outset predicted at the outset because the loss of access to the because the loss of access to the because the loss of access to the mainland caused by the fall of balone mainland caused by the fall of balone mainland caused by the fall of balone dealt a major blow to corus's legitimacy dealt a major blow to corus's legitimacy dealt a major blow to corus's legitimacy and left him vulnerable to a murderous and left him vulnerable to a murderous and left him vulnerable to a murderous Palace Palace Palace coup I haven't been able to find a good coup I haven't been able to find a good coup I haven't been able to find a good answer to the question of what the answer to the question of what the answer to the question of what the conspirators thought they were going to conspirators thought they were going to conspirators thought they were going to accomplish by assassinating krosus but accomplish by assassinating krosus but accomplish by assassinating krosus but in the winter of 293 a cabal led by the in the winter of 293 a cabal led by the in the winter of 293 a cabal led by the British Finance Minister electus killed British Finance Minister electus killed British Finance Minister electus killed the man who had been there Augustus the man who had been there Augustus the man who had been there Augustus these last seven years these last seven years these last seven years with corus out of the way balone with corus out of the way balone with corus out of the way balone remained lost and the little British remained lost and the little British remained lost and the little British Empire was now deprived of its most able

Empire was now deprived of its most able Empire was now deprived of its most able General so yeah I'm not sure what they General so yeah I'm not sure what they General so yeah I'm not sure what they were hoping to were hoping to were hoping to accomplish sometimes I guess power is accomplish sometimes I guess power is accomplish sometimes I guess power is its own reward electus declared himself its own reward electus declared himself its own reward electus declared himself Augustus and The Noose was pulled a bit tighter but the now practically tighter but the now practically inevitable execution of the British inevitable execution of the British inevitable execution of the British regime did not follow right away regime did not follow right away regime did not follow right away the problem seems to have been that in the problem seems to have been that in the problem seems to have been that in the aftermath of maximian defeat there the aftermath of maximian defeat there the aftermath of maximian defeat there was no concerted effort to rebuild the was no concerted effort to rebuild the was no concerted effort to rebuild the Navy that had just been annihilated so Navy that had just been annihilated so Navy that had just been annihilated so in the aftermath of his own victory at in the aftermath of his own victory at in the aftermath of his own victory at balone some four years later constantius balone some four years later constantius balone some four years later constantius still had no still had no still had no Navy as with the reason for corus's Navy as with the reason for corus's Navy as with the reason for corus's assassination I haven't been able to assassination I haven't been able to assassination I haven't been able to find a good explanation for why a fleet find a good explanation for why a fleet find a good explanation for why a fleet was not being rebuilt especially since was not being rebuilt especially since was not being rebuilt especially since everyone knew there was going to be a everyone knew there was going to be a everyone knew there was going to be a second invasion attempt but but if I had second invasion attempt but but if I had second invasion attempt but but if I had to speculate I would say that no one to speculate I would say that no one to speculate I would say that no one really knew when or under what really knew when or under what really knew when or under what circumstances the next Invasion would circumstances the next Invasion would circumstances the next Invasion would take place so why waste time and take place so why waste time and take place so why waste time and resources constructing a fleet that resources constructing a fleet that resources constructing a fleet that might sit idle for years and in the might sit idle for years and in the might sit idle for years and in the interim be sitting ducks for Frankish interim be sitting ducks for Frankish interim be sitting ducks for Frankish attacks that might see the new ships attacks that might see the new ships attacks that might see the new ships destroyed before they even had a chance destroyed before they even had a chance destroyed before they even had a chance to launch but I'm just guessing all we to launch but I'm just guessing all we to launch but I'm just guessing all we really know is that following the really know is that following the really know is that following the capture of balone and the assassination capture of balone and the assassination capture of balone and the assassination of krosus 2 years would pass before of krosus 2 years would pass before of krosus 2 years would pass before Constantia set sail to retake the Constantia set sail to retake the Constantia set sail to retake the island in the meantime he seems to have island in the meantime he seems to have island in the meantime he seems to have followed the same basic policy as followed the same basic policy as followed the same basic policy as maximan and Diocesan and campaigned

maximan and Diocesan and campaigned maximan and Diocesan and campaigned extensively against the Alam Mani in extensively against the Alam Mani in extensively against the Alam Mani in order to ensure that the main land would order to ensure that the main land would order to ensure that the main land would be pacified when he headed across the be pacified when he headed across the be pacified when he headed across the water and of course he continued to water and of course he continued to water and of course he continued to campaign against the Franks until they campaign against the Franks until they campaign against the Franks until they had been brought completely to heal had been brought completely to heal had been brought completely to heal culminating with the placement of a new culminating with the placement of a new culminating with the placement of a new pro- Roman King at the head of their pro- Roman King at the head of their pro- Roman King at the head of their Confederation by 295 though things were all set by 295 though things were all set maximian moved up from Milan to watch maximian moved up from Milan to watch maximian moved up from Milan to watch the Rind Frontier and constantius the Rind Frontier and constantius the Rind Frontier and constantius readied his fleets to sail what's that readied his fleets to sail what's that readied his fleets to sail what's that fleets you say that's right taking fleets you say that's right taking fleets you say that's right taking advantage of his control of the G Coast advantage of his control of the G Coast advantage of his control of the G Coast constantius divided up his forces in two constantius divided up his forces in two constantius divided up his forces in two launching them from two different ports launching them from two different ports launching them from two different ports with two different Landing spots in mind with two different Landing spots in mind with two different Landing spots in mind so as to divide the enemy and keep them so as to divide the enemy and keep them so as to divide the enemy and keep them guessing as to where the invasion was guessing as to where the invasion was guessing as to where the invasion was headed headed headed constantius himself launched from balone constantius himself launched from balone constantius himself launched from balone on his way to do while his petorian on his way to do while his petorian on his way to do while his petorian prefect ESC aotus launched from the prefect ESC aotus launched from the prefect ESC aotus launched from the mouth of the saian river on his way to mouth of the saian river on his way to mouth of the saian river on his way to the aisle of the aisle of the aisle of white just as with maximan Invasion white just as with maximan Invasion white just as with maximan Invasion supposedly the short trip to Britain was supposedly the short trip to Britain was supposedly the short trip to Britain was complicated by bad weather but with two complicated by bad weather but with two complicated by bad weather but with two fleets on the water instead of just one fleets on the water instead of just one fleets on the water instead of just one the operation was able to keep moving the operation was able to keep moving the operation was able to keep moving forward rather than coming to a complete forward rather than coming to a complete forward rather than coming to a complete standstill when constantius is sh ships standstill when constantius is sh ships standstill when constantius is sh ships were stalled out in the were stalled out in the were stalled out in the storm escod daus's fleet was able to storm escod daus's fleet was able to storm escod daus's fleet was able to navigate the rough seas and make a navigate the rough seas and make a navigate the rough seas and make a landing somewhere near landing somewhere near landing somewhere near Southampton once ashore the prefect

Southampton once ashore the prefect Southampton once ashore the prefect burned his ships not just to prevent burned his ships not just to prevent burned his ships not just to prevent their capture but also to remind his men their capture but also to remind his men their capture but also to remind his men that there would be no that there would be no that there would be no retreat Victory or death that is what retreat Victory or death that is what retreat Victory or death that is what the gods had in store for them now electus the self-proclaimed them now electus the self-proclaimed Augustus of Britain who had been running Augustus of Britain who had been running Augustus of Britain who had been running the island for the last two years was the island for the last two years was the island for the last two years was not a tenth of the soldier croas had not a tenth of the soldier croas had not a tenth of the soldier croas had been believing constantius was coming been believing constantius was coming been believing constantius was coming from the southeast since that is where from the southeast since that is where from the southeast since that is where the previous Invasion had come from the previous Invasion had come from the previous Invasion had come from electus had masked his forces down in electus had masked his forces down in electus had masked his forces down in Kent to meet what he thought would be a Kent to meet what he thought would be a Kent to meet what he thought would be a single invading Army when reports single invading Army when reports single invading Army when reports suddenly began arriving detailing an suddenly began arriving detailing an suddenly began arriving detailing an invasion Force marching North from invasion Force marching North from invasion Force marching North from Southampton electus panicked and pulled Southampton electus panicked and pulled Southampton electus panicked and pulled his forces up to block the road to his forces up to block the road to his forces up to block the road to London but in his haste to get the Army London but in his haste to get the Army London but in his haste to get the Army moving they became disorganized and moving they became disorganized and moving they became disorganized and spread out with the British Legions spread out with the British Legions spread out with the British Legions proper divided from the Frankish proper divided from the Frankish proper divided from the Frankish mercenaries the British regime had been mercenaries the British regime had been mercenaries the British regime had been employing since croas first established employing since croas first established employing since croas first established his his his independence so the Defense Force independence so the Defense Force independence so the Defense Force electus planted on the road to meet the electus planted on the road to meet the electus planted on the road to meet the advancing Romans was not at full advancing Romans was not at full advancing Romans was not at full strength nor well organized nor strength nor well organized nor strength nor well organized nor well-led asotus did not have to work well-led asotus did not have to work well-led asotus did not have to work very hard to smash them to pieces and very hard to smash them to pieces and very hard to smash them to pieces and electus himself self died in the fighting when the weather cleared up fighting when the weather cleared up constantius landed his forces and began constantius landed his forces and began constantius landed his forces and began his own march on his own march on his own march on London with the news of electus defeat

London with the news of electus defeat London with the news of electus defeat already circulating throughout the already circulating throughout the already circulating throughout the island the arrival of constantius island the arrival of constantius island the arrival of constantius suddenly had a whole new suddenly had a whole new suddenly had a whole new Vibe the Frankish mercenaries who had Vibe the Frankish mercenaries who had Vibe the Frankish mercenaries who had not fought and died were now viewed as a not fought and died were now viewed as a not fought and died were now viewed as a far greater threat than constantius and far greater threat than constantius and far greater threat than constantius and his his his Legions the citizens of Britain were Legions the citizens of Britain were Legions the citizens of Britain were shutting up their homes and cities not shutting up their homes and cities not shutting up their homes and cities not because they feared constantius but because they feared constantius but because they feared constantius but because they feared what the Franks because they feared what the Franks because they feared what the Franks would do now that they were off the would do now that they were off the would do now that they were off the leash and their fear was well placed as leash and their fear was well placed as leash and their fear was well placed as it appears that the Franks took electus it appears that the Franks took electus it appears that the Franks took electus defeat as their cue to sack as much of defeat as their cue to sack as much of defeat as their cue to sack as much of the countryside as they the countryside as they the countryside as they could constantius caught up with them could constantius caught up with them could constantius caught up with them before they reached London though and in before they reached London though and in before they reached London though and in a quick battle annihilated the marauding a quick battle annihilated the marauding a quick battle annihilated the marauding Franks when constantius set sail he had Franks when constantius set sail he had Franks when constantius set sail he had every reason to believe that the battle every reason to believe that the battle every reason to believe that the battle for London would be a hardfought affair for London would be a hardfought affair for London would be a hardfought affair but now as he approached the capital he but now as he approached the capital he but now as he approached the capital he found himself greeted not as an enemy found himself greeted not as an enemy found himself greeted not as an enemy but as a beloved but as a beloved but as a beloved hero this Great and Mighty Caesar had hero this Great and Mighty Caesar had hero this Great and Mighty Caesar had delivered Britain from the destructive delivered Britain from the destructive delivered Britain from the destructive Wrath of the Wrath of the Wrath of the Franks just like that the province of Franks just like that the province of Franks just like that the province of Britannia was reabsorbed more than Britannia was reabsorbed more than Britannia was reabsorbed more than willingly at this point into the willingly at this point into the willingly at this point into the Empire to celebrate this Victory Empire to celebrate this Victory Empire to celebrate this Victory constantius began issuing coins with his constantius began issuing coins with his constantius began issuing coins with his his own face bearing the legend restorer his own face bearing the legend restorer his own face bearing the legend restorer of eternal light just as constantius was light just as constantius was celebrating his victory in the West celebrating his victory in the West celebrating his victory in the West garius Was beginning his campaign in the

garius Was beginning his campaign in the garius Was beginning his campaign in the East after spending most of the last 2 East after spending most of the last 2 East after spending most of the last 2 years in Egypt the Caesar had been years in Egypt the Caesar had been years in Egypt the Caesar had been brought North to Antioch to confer with brought North to Antioch to confer with brought North to Antioch to confer with Diocesan and figure out what to do about Diocesan and figure out what to do about Diocesan and figure out what to do about the Resurgence ass the Resurgence ass the Resurgence ass sonid Diocesan had been watching with sonid Diocesan had been watching with sonid Diocesan had been watching with alarm as the new Persian king narcis alarm as the new Persian king narcis alarm as the new Persian king narcis adopted an increasingly hostile posture adopted an increasingly hostile posture adopted an increasingly hostile posture towards towards towards Rome at first this new posture Rome at first this new posture Rome at first this new posture manifested itself in relatively harmless manifested itself in relatively harmless manifested itself in relatively harmless displays of strength by the Persians displays of strength by the Persians displays of strength by the Persians along their western frontier but lately along their western frontier but lately along their western frontier but lately narsus had been making troubling narsus had been making troubling narsus had been making troubling alliances with the tribes and Petty alliances with the tribes and Petty alliances with the tribes and Petty kingdoms of the kingdoms of the kingdoms of the Borderland then in either 295 or 296 the Borderland then in either 295 or 296 the Borderland then in either 295 or 296 the Persian king moved out of the theatrical Persian king moved out of the theatrical Persian king moved out of the theatrical and into the Marshall by invading and into the Marshall by invading and into the Marshall by invading Armenia defeating and deposing the pro Armenia defeating and deposing the pro Armenia defeating and deposing the pro Roman King trodes in the Roman King trodes in the Roman King trodes in the process from Armenia narcis moved his process from Armenia narcis moved his process from Armenia narcis moved his forces South through osini and stood forces South through osini and stood forces South through osini and stood poised now on the Syrian poised now on the Syrian poised now on the Syrian border daian knew that narciss was border daian knew that narciss was border daian knew that narciss was self-consciously styling himself as the self-consciously styling himself as the self-consciously styling himself as the new sharur and it was entirely likely new sharur and it was entirely likely new sharur and it was entirely likely that the Persian king was getting ready that the Persian king was getting ready that the Persian king was getting ready to invade Syria and Sack Antioch just as to invade Syria and Sack Antioch just as to invade Syria and Sack Antioch just as sharur had sharur had sharur had done Diocesan was unwilling to wait for done Diocesan was unwilling to wait for done Diocesan was unwilling to wait for the other to drop and so in mid 296 the other to drop and so in mid 296 the other to drop and so in mid 296 garius marched out at the head of an garius marched out at the head of an garius marched out at the head of an army to confront the Persians before army to confront the Persians before army to confront the Persians before they decided to cross into Roman territory the two armies met near kry a territory the two armies met near kry a site of cis's great defeat some three

site of cis's great defeat some three site of cis's great defeat some three centuries before and after wasting centuries before and after wasting centuries before and after wasting precious little time on diplomatic precious little time on diplomatic precious little time on diplomatic niceties the Romans and cits threw niceties the Romans and cits threw niceties the Romans and cits threw themselves at one themselves at one themselves at one another the result was an unmitigated another the result was an unmitigated another the result was an unmitigated disaster for Rome narcis ran his heavy disaster for Rome narcis ran his heavy disaster for Rome narcis ran his heavy Cavalry and archery detachments in Cavalry and archery detachments in Cavalry and archery detachments in perfect Tandem and this Persian one-w perfect Tandem and this Persian one-w perfect Tandem and this Persian one-w punch caught the Romans completely punch caught the Romans completely punch caught the Romans completely flat-footed after suffering extensive flat-footed after suffering extensive flat-footed after suffering extensive losses garius was able to extract what losses garius was able to extract what losses garius was able to extract what was left of his army and lead them on a was left of his army and lead them on a was left of his army and lead them on a limping March back to limping March back to limping March back to Antioch Legend has it that upon his Antioch Legend has it that upon his Antioch Legend has it that upon his arrival garius was met outside the city arrival garius was met outside the city arrival garius was met outside the city by a furious Diocesan who made the by a furious Diocesan who made the by a furious Diocesan who made the defeated Caesar walk a mile on foot in defeated Caesar walk a mile on foot in defeated Caesar walk a mile on foot in front of dian's Imperial litter as front of dian's Imperial litter as front of dian's Imperial litter as punishment for his punishment for his punishment for his failure it is likely that this episode failure it is likely that this episode failure it is likely that this episode is a colorful invention but there is no is a colorful invention but there is no is a colorful invention but there is no doubt that in the aftermath of the doubt that in the aftermath of the doubt that in the aftermath of the defeat Diocesan made garius take full defeat Diocesan made garius take full defeat Diocesan made garius take full responsibility for the responsibility for the responsibility for the episode such was the cost of maintaining episode such was the cost of maintaining episode such was the cost of maintaining the tetrarch the tetrarch the tetrarch stability victories would be shared by stability victories would be shared by stability victories would be shared by all for men equally but defeats would be all for men equally but defeats would be all for men equally but defeats would be the responsibility of the losing General the responsibility of the losing General the responsibility of the losing General alone that being said in all likelihood dian's that being said in all likelihood dian's public shaming of garus is a later public shaming of garus is a later public shaming of garus is a later invention for one thing no contemporary invention for one thing no contemporary invention for one thing no contemporary Source mentions the incident but perhaps Source mentions the incident but perhaps Source mentions the incident but perhaps more importantly it would not had all more importantly it would not had all more importantly it would not had all have been in keeping with dian's

have been in keeping with dian's have been in keeping with dian's character the senior Augustus was character the senior Augustus was character the senior Augustus was careful to cultivate a public image of careful to cultivate a public image of careful to cultivate a public image of the Imperial College as one of the Imperial College as one of the Imperial College as one of unwavering Mutual support and unity of unwavering Mutual support and unity of unwavering Mutual support and unity of purpose as was so demonstrated in the purpose as was so demonstrated in the purpose as was so demonstrated in the aftermath of maximian failed British aftermath of maximian failed British aftermath of maximian failed British Invasion to humiliate garas out in the Invasion to humiliate garas out in the Invasion to humiliate garas out in the open like that would not just have poked open like that would not just have poked open like that would not just have poked holes in that Public Image but it likely holes in that Public Image but it likely holes in that Public Image but it likely would have done real damage to the would have done real damage to the would have done real damage to the actual Unity daian was trying to actual Unity daian was trying to actual Unity daian was trying to maintain behind the maintain behind the maintain behind the scenes eradicating the conditions that scenes eradicating the conditions that scenes eradicating the conditions that led to the rampant Civil Wars of the led to the rampant Civil Wars of the led to the rampant Civil Wars of the crisis years was one of dian's biggest crisis years was one of dian's biggest crisis years was one of dian's biggest concerns and I highly doubt that he concerns and I highly doubt that he concerns and I highly doubt that he would have so carelessly undermined all would have so carelessly undermined all would have so carelessly undermined all of his efforts by slapping his Junior of his efforts by slapping his Junior of his efforts by slapping his Junior colleague around in colleague around in colleague around in public honor was a huge part of what public honor was a huge part of what public honor was a huge part of what made these men tick and humiliating made these men tick and humiliating made these men tick and humiliating galaria so brazenly might have ticked galaria so brazenly might have ticked galaria so brazenly might have ticked the Caesar off to the point that he the Caesar off to the point that he the Caesar off to the point that he would have viewed overthrowing Diocesan would have viewed overthrowing Diocesan would have viewed overthrowing Diocesan as a reasonable as a reasonable as a reasonable response so while I have no trouble response so while I have no trouble response so while I have no trouble believing that Diocesan ball garious out believing that Diocesan ball garious out believing that Diocesan ball garious out in private in public I can't imagine he in private in public I can't imagine he in private in public I can't imagine he would have done anything to risk would have done anything to risk would have done anything to risk Imperial Unity especially for something Imperial Unity especially for something Imperial Unity especially for something as Petty as making a guy walk in front as Petty as making a guy walk in front as Petty as making a guy walk in front of your horse for a little of your horse for a little of your horse for a little while but it was not all bad for the while but it was not all bad for the while but it was not all bad for the Romans despite the fact that he had been Romans despite the fact that he had been Romans despite the fact that he had been bested in the field garas had obviously bested in the field garas had obviously bested in the field garas had obviously put up enough of a fight that the put up enough of a fight that the put up enough of a fight that the Persian king whatever his intentions had Persian king whatever his intentions had Persian king whatever his intentions had been before did not immediately follow been before did not immediately follow been before did not immediately follow up his victory with an invasion of

up his victory with an invasion of up his victory with an invasion of Syria and it's a good thing that he Syria and it's a good thing that he Syria and it's a good thing that he didn't because just a few months after didn't because just a few months after didn't because just a few months after the defeat of garus word came up from the defeat of garus word came up from the defeat of garus word came up from Egypt that yet another Revolt had broken Egypt that yet another Revolt had broken Egypt that yet another Revolt had broken out out out the origins of this latest unrest will the origins of this latest unrest will the origins of this latest unrest will be dealt with more fully a few episodes be dealt with more fully a few episodes be dealt with more fully a few episodes down the road when I dive into dian's down the road when I dive into dian's down the road when I dive into dian's economic reforms so just know for now economic reforms so just know for now economic reforms so just know for now that Diocesan Crackdown on tax evasion that Diocesan Crackdown on tax evasion that Diocesan Crackdown on tax evasion did not at all go over well with the did not at all go over well with the did not at all go over well with the perpetually tax evading perpetually tax evading perpetually tax evading Egyptians leaving garius and Syria to Egyptians leaving garius and Syria to Egyptians leaving garius and Syria to oversee the rebuilding of the frontier oversee the rebuilding of the frontier oversee the rebuilding of the frontier defenses daesan decided to personally defenses daesan decided to personally defenses daesan decided to personally see to the problem of Egypt in 297 what had begun as a series of in 297 what had begun as a series of local uprisings had coalesced into a local uprisings had coalesced into a local uprisings had coalesced into a provincewide movement that even had its provincewide movement that even had its provincewide movement that even had its own self-proclaimed Augustus a man named own self-proclaimed Augustus a man named own self-proclaimed Augustus a man named Lucius demidas dianus who was attempting Lucius demidas dianus who was attempting Lucius demidas dianus who was attempting to reassert all the special privileges to reassert all the special privileges to reassert all the special privileges Egypt and in particular Alexandria had Egypt and in particular Alexandria had Egypt and in particular Alexandria had always enjoyed and the daian was now always enjoyed and the daian was now always enjoyed and the daian was now trying to take trying to take trying to take away daian though had a vision for the away daian though had a vision for the away daian though had a vision for the future of the Empire and special future of the Empire and special future of the Empire and special treatment for special people was not at treatment for special people was not at treatment for special people was not at all a part of that Vision just ask the all a part of that Vision just ask the all a part of that Vision just ask the citizens of Italy who at that same time citizens of Italy who at that same time citizens of Italy who at that same time were having all of their Lon Hill were having all of their Lon Hill were having all of their Lon Hill privileges revoked one by one pay taxes privileges revoked one by one pay taxes privileges revoked one by one pay taxes you've got to be you've got to be you've got to be joking but like I say we'll get into all joking but like I say we'll get into all joking but like I say we'll get into all that

that that later so daian came down to Egypt and later so daian came down to Egypt and later so daian came down to Egypt and despite stiff resistance from the despite stiff resistance from the despite stiff resistance from the natives he thoroughly smacked down the natives he thoroughly smacked down the natives he thoroughly smacked down the Rebellion with an iron hand the emperor Rebellion with an iron hand the emperor Rebellion with an iron hand the emperor had no intention of allowing Egypt to had no intention of allowing Egypt to had no intention of allowing Egypt to become the bleeding ulcer that Britain become the bleeding ulcer that Britain become the bleeding ulcer that Britain had been for so long and mercy towards had been for so long and mercy towards had been for so long and mercy towards the rebels was in short the rebels was in short the rebels was in short supply there is even a Charming little supply there is even a Charming little supply there is even a Charming little story about how when he finally took story about how when he finally took story about how when he finally took Alexandria after a surprisingly Alexandria after a surprisingly Alexandria after a surprisingly difficult 9month Siege the enraged Dian difficult 9month Siege the enraged Dian difficult 9month Siege the enraged Dian announced that he was going to slaughter announced that he was going to slaughter announced that he was going to slaughter everyone in the city until the blood ran everyone in the city until the blood ran everyone in the city until the blood ran up to his horse's up to his horse's up to his horse's knee then as if on Q the tired horse knee then as if on Q the tired horse knee then as if on Q the tired horse decided at that very moment to kneel decided at that very moment to kneel decided at that very moment to kneel down knes of course now touching the down knes of course now touching the down knes of course now touching the ground Diocesan took the hint the God ground Diocesan took the hint the God ground Diocesan took the hint the God sent him and ordered to stop to the sent him and ordered to stop to the sent him and ordered to stop to the massacre he was intending to unleash on massacre he was intending to unleash on massacre he was intending to unleash on the the the alexandrians this little story is even alexandrians this little story is even alexandrians this little story is even more Charming because in gratitude the more Charming because in gratitude the more Charming because in gratitude the alexandrians allegedly built a statue in alexandrians allegedly built a statue in alexandrians allegedly built a statue in honor of dian's horse once the emperor honor of dian's horse once the emperor honor of dian's horse once the emperor had moved had moved had moved on by the end of 297 though the Revolt on by the end of 297 though the Revolt on by the end of 297 though the Revolt was nipped in the bud deanis was dead was nipped in the bud deanis was dead was nipped in the bud deanis was dead and the emperor could turn his attention and the emperor could turn his attention and the emperor could turn his attention back to the Persian problem back up in Antioch garius had problem back up in Antioch garius had spent the year successfully rebuilding spent the year successfully rebuilding spent the year successfully rebuilding the Syrian Legions and when Diocesan the Syrian Legions and when Diocesan the Syrian Legions and when Diocesan arrived the senior Augustus was pleased arrived the senior Augustus was pleased arrived the senior Augustus was pleased to discover that his Junior colleague to discover that his Junior colleague to discover that his Junior colleague was ready to go back on the

was ready to go back on the was ready to go back on the offensive and it was the offensive they offensive and it was the offensive they offensive and it was the offensive they would have to go back on because despite would have to go back on because despite would have to go back on because despite his initially bold moves King narciss his initially bold moves King narciss his initially bold moves King narciss had learned that the Roman were not the had learned that the Roman were not the had learned that the Roman were not the pushover he had perhaps LED himself to pushover he had perhaps LED himself to pushover he had perhaps LED himself to believe they believe they believe they were he didn't give up his position in were he didn't give up his position in were he didn't give up his position in Armenia or Mesopotamia but he also Armenia or Mesopotamia but he also Armenia or Mesopotamia but he also didn't press on any didn't press on any didn't press on any further when it became obvious that the further when it became obvious that the further when it became obvious that the Persian king was not going to invade and Persian king was not going to invade and Persian king was not going to invade and press his luck inside Roman territory press his luck inside Roman territory press his luck inside Roman territory the Emperors decided to take the fight the Emperors decided to take the fight the Emperors decided to take the fight to him to him to him again as we've seen over and over again again as we've seen over and over again again as we've seen over and over again the Romans never took a defeat as the the Romans never took a defeat as the the Romans never took a defeat as the last word in anything and it was in fact last word in anything and it was in fact last word in anything and it was in fact almost axiomatic that the last word had almost axiomatic that the last word had almost axiomatic that the last word had to be a Roman Victory if the Romans lost to be a Roman Victory if the Romans lost to be a Roman Victory if the Romans lost it was only a setback on the road to it was only a setback on the road to it was only a setback on the road to final Victory it could not possibly mean final Victory it could not possibly mean final Victory it could not possibly mean an end to hostilities because the only an end to hostilities because the only an end to hostilities because the only time the Romans allowed an end to time the Romans allowed an end to time the Romans allowed an end to hostilities was when the Romans won they hostilities was when the Romans won they hostilities was when the Romans won they were simply a maddening opponent that were simply a maddening opponent that were simply a maddening opponent that way so in 298 ad garius marched out at way so in 298 ad garius marched out at way so in 298 ad garius marched out at the head of an army to track down narcis the head of an army to track down narcis the head of an army to track down narcis and bring an end to hostilities this time the Caesar played hostilities this time the Caesar played it a bit it a bit it a bit smarter rather than heading straight for smarter rather than heading straight for smarter rather than heading straight for the Persian army which was then encamped the Persian army which was then encamped the Persian army which was then encamped on the plains of on the plains of on the plains of Mesopotamia he decided to take the road Mesopotamia he decided to take the road Mesopotamia he decided to take the road in through the mountains of Armenia and in through the mountains of Armenia and in through the mountains of Armenia and forc narcis to fight on ground that forc narcis to fight on ground that forc narcis to fight on ground that garius hoped would neutralize the

garius hoped would neutralize the garius hoped would neutralize the Persian heavy Cavalry Persian heavy Cavalry Persian heavy Cavalry Advantage narus took the bait and this Advantage narus took the bait and this Advantage narus took the bait and this time when the two armies met the legions time when the two armies met the legions time when the two armies met the legions routed the sanit though the battle was routed the sanit though the battle was routed the sanit though the battle was not at all not at all not at all decisive narcissus retreated and garus decisive narcissus retreated and garus decisive narcissus retreated and garus pursued hoping to catch the Persians pursued hoping to catch the Persians pursued hoping to catch the Persians before they reestablished themselves on before they reestablished themselves on before they reestablished themselves on better better better ground luckily the Persian withdrawal ground luckily the Persian withdrawal ground luckily the Persian withdrawal was halfhazard and with the help of was halfhazard and with the help of was halfhazard and with the help of local guides garius was able to close local guides garius was able to close local guides garius was able to close the distance between the two armies and the distance between the two armies and the distance between the two armies and launch an attack on the utterly launch an attack on the utterly launch an attack on the utterly surprised sanit when they were still in surprised sanit when they were still in surprised sanit when they were still in their Camp one night this time the their Camp one night this time the their Camp one night this time the battle was battle was battle was decisive Not only was the C AR cut to decisive Not only was the C AR cut to decisive Not only was the C AR cut to Pieces but narciss was forced to flee Pieces but narciss was forced to flee Pieces but narciss was forced to flee for his life without being able to stop for his life without being able to stop for his life without being able to stop and collect his wives his harm or his and collect his wives his harm or his and collect his wives his harm or his Royal treasury all of which fell into Royal treasury all of which fell into Royal treasury all of which fell into the hand of the triumphant the hand of the triumphant the hand of the triumphant garious the CED military was now broken garious the CED military was now broken garious the CED military was now broken the King was now running for his life the King was now running for his life the King was now running for his life and valuable hostages had now been and valuable hostages had now been and valuable hostages had now been seized now hostilities could seized now hostilities could seized now hostilities could end well not quite yet garius took a end well not quite yet garius took a end well not quite yet garius took a Victory lap down through Mesopotamia in Victory lap down through Mesopotamia in Victory lap down through Mesopotamia in order to sack the Persian capital of order to sack the Persian capital of order to sack the Persian capital of Tesson which at this point was Tesson which at this point was Tesson which at this point was practically a right of passage for Roman practically a right of passage for Roman practically a right of passage for Roman general serving in the general serving in the general serving in the East unchecked garius probably would East unchecked garius probably would East unchecked garius probably would have marched all the way to India but he have marched all the way to India but he have marched all the way to India but he was stopped by Diocesan who was able to was stopped by Diocesan who was able to was stopped by Diocesan who was able to see the bigger see the bigger see the bigger picture Diocesan had no desire to rule

picture Diocesan had no desire to rule picture Diocesan had no desire to rule over Persia he just wanted peace with over Persia he just wanted peace with over Persia he just wanted peace with the sanid on the best possible terms and the sanid on the best possible terms and the sanid on the best possible terms and with the king's wives and Haram being with the king's wives and Haram being with the king's wives and Haram being treated with the utmost respect by their treated with the utmost respect by their treated with the utmost respect by their Roman captors Diocesan was now in a Roman captors Diocesan was now in a Roman captors Diocesan was now in a position to leverage an even better deal position to leverage an even better deal position to leverage an even better deal than he had worked out with bam in 287 than he had worked out with bam in 287 than he had worked out with bam in 287 and leverage a better deal he and leverage a better deal he and leverage a better deal he did a summit was arranged between the did a summit was arranged between the did a summit was arranged between the Roman emperors and Persian ambassadors Roman emperors and Persian ambassadors Roman emperors and Persian ambassadors at nisus in 299 where Diocesan laid out at nisus in 299 where Diocesan laid out at nisus in 299 where Diocesan laid out his his his terms after an amusing but likely terms after an amusing but likely terms after an amusing but likely fictitious exchange that saw the Persian fictitious exchange that saw the Persian fictitious exchange that saw the Persian envoys attempt to lecture the Romans on envoys attempt to lecture the Romans on envoys attempt to lecture the Romans on The Importance of Being magnanimous in The Importance of Being magnanimous in The Importance of Being magnanimous in defeat and garus then practically defeat and garus then practically defeat and garus then practically blowing a blood vessel demanding to know blowing a blood vessel demanding to know blowing a blood vessel demanding to know where the Persians got off lecturing the where the Persians got off lecturing the where the Persians got off lecturing the Romans about magnanimity when the Romans about magnanimity when the Romans about magnanimity when the stuffed corpse of valaran was still stuffed corpse of valaran was still stuffed corpse of valaran was still being held as a CED being held as a CED being held as a CED trophy after this the Persian envoys trophy after this the Persian envoys trophy after this the Persian envoys agreed to all the Roman agreed to all the Roman agreed to all the Roman terms Not only was Armenia brought back terms Not only was Armenia brought back terms Not only was Armenia brought back into the Roman fold but for the first into the Roman fold but for the first into the Roman fold but for the first time the kingdoms of the caucus time the kingdoms of the caucus time the kingdoms of the caucus mountains were made ROM Roman clients mountains were made ROM Roman clients mountains were made ROM Roman clients and cities on the east side of the and cities on the east side of the and cities on the east side of the Tigers were seated to Roman Tigers were seated to Roman Tigers were seated to Roman control in every way Diocesan got the control in every way Diocesan got the control in every way Diocesan got the better of the Persians in the Peace of better of the Persians in the Peace of better of the Persians in the Peace of nisus and the capture of the Persian nisus and the capture of the Persian nisus and the capture of the Persian royal family was understood to balance royal family was understood to balance royal family was understood to balance the scales for the capture of the scales for the capture of the scales for the capture of valaran all of which was nice but what valaran all of which was nice but what valaran all of which was nice but what was even nicer was that the peace

was even nicer was that the peace was even nicer was that the peace brokered in 299 would last for the next brokered in 299 would last for the next brokered in 299 would last for the next 40 years and that was a victory for 40 years and that was a victory for 40 years and that was a victory for everyone so it was that at the close of the 3rd so it was that at the close of the 3rd Century a century defined by the Century a century defined by the Century a century defined by the Empire's near collapse Rome was as Empire's near collapse Rome was as Empire's near collapse Rome was as strong as strong as strong as ever 15 years of political stability ever 15 years of political stability ever 15 years of political stability overseen by one of the best leaders the overseen by one of the best leaders the overseen by one of the best leaders the Empire had ever seen internal revolts Empire had ever seen internal revolts Empire had ever seen internal revolts squelched external threats neutralized squelched external threats neutralized squelched external threats neutralized and a socioeconomic order redesigned to and a socioeconomic order redesigned to and a socioeconomic order redesigned to match with the realities of this new age match with the realities of this new age match with the realities of this new age Rome would never again be allowed the Rome would never again be allowed the Rome would never again be allowed the kind of freedom of movement it had kind of freedom of movement it had kind of freedom of movement it had enjoyed during its various Golden Ages enjoyed during its various Golden Ages enjoyed during its various Golden Ages and it would indeed be a constant daily and it would indeed be a constant daily and it would indeed be a constant daily struggle just to maintain what Diocesan struggle just to maintain what Diocesan struggle just to maintain what Diocesan had had had established but something had been established but something had been established but something had been established in the next few weeks we are established in the next few weeks we are established in the next few weeks we are going to investigate what exactly had going to investigate what exactly had going to investigate what exactly had been established starting next time with been established starting next time with been established starting next time with an analysis of Rome's new military an analysis of Rome's new military an analysis of Rome's new military posture after that we'll deal with Di 's posture after that we'll deal with Di 's posture after that we'll deal with Di 's economic reforms including his famous economic reforms including his famous economic reforms including his famous edict on prices and then cover his edict on prices and then cover his edict on prices and then cover his reorganization of the governmental reorganization of the governmental reorganization of the governmental apparatus taken together Diocesan apparatus taken together Diocesan apparatus taken together Diocesan transformed just about every aspect of transformed just about every aspect of transformed just about every aspect of Roman life but again as I mentioned Roman life but again as I mentioned Roman life but again as I mentioned before he was not trying to create a new before he was not trying to create a new before he was not trying to create a new world order he was trying to save the world order he was trying to save the world order he was trying to save the Old World Order

Old World Order Old World Order [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 125 the best defense is a Rome episode 125 the best defense is a Rome episode 125 the best defense is a good good good [Music] [Music] [Music] defense over the centuries the Roman defense over the centuries the Roman defense over the centuries the Roman Legions had been transformed and then Legions had been transformed and then Legions had been transformed and then retransformed anytime the old way of retransformed anytime the old way of retransformed anytime the old way of getting things done stopped getting getting things done stopped getting getting things done stopped getting things things things done the Romans loved their Traditions done the Romans loved their Traditions done the Romans loved their Traditions but they never for a second allowed but they never for a second allowed but they never for a second allowed sentiment mentality to get in the way of sentiment mentality to get in the way of sentiment mentality to get in the way of always having the best strategic and always having the best strategic and always having the best strategic and tactical military operation in the tactical military operation in the tactical military operation in the world for years Rome was just another world for years Rome was just another world for years Rome was just another city state Fielding small armies city state Fielding small armies city state Fielding small armies composed of farmer soldiers who fought composed of farmer soldiers who fought composed of farmer soldiers who fought using the traditional Greek using the traditional Greek using the traditional Greek failinks when the failings proved failinks when the failings proved failinks when the failings proved unworkable in the hills of samnium the unworkable in the hills of samnium the unworkable in the hills of samnium the Romans adapted the legions into the Romans adapted the legions into the Romans adapted the legions into the famous three-line maniple system that famous three-line maniple system that famous three-line maniple system that they then used to conquer most of the

they then used to conquer most of the they then used to conquer most of the Mediterranean then Marius came along Mediterranean then Marius came along Mediterranean then Marius came along revolutionized not just how the Romans revolutionized not just how the Romans revolutionized not just how the Romans fought but who was doing the fighting fought but who was doing the fighting fought but who was doing the fighting ushering out the age of the temporary ushering out the age of the temporary ushering out the age of the temporary conscript Army and ushering in the age conscript Army and ushering in the age conscript Army and ushering in the age of the professional standing of the professional standing of the professional standing army this of course wound up having the army this of course wound up having the army this of course wound up having the unintended side effect of also unintended side effect of also unintended side effect of also revolutionizing who these new standing revolutionizing who these new standing revolutionizing who these new standing armies fought because for practically armies fought because for practically armies fought because for practically the whole of The Next Century the enemy the whole of The Next Century the enemy the whole of The Next Century the enemy the Roman Legions fought more than any the Roman Legions fought more than any the Roman Legions fought more than any other was other Roman other was other Roman other was other Roman Legions the following the Triumph of Legions the following the Triumph of Legions the following the Triumph of Augustus the mission of the legions Augustus the mission of the legions Augustus the mission of the legions changed again no longer was their changed again no longer was their changed again no longer was their primary objective to conquer foreign primary objective to conquer foreign primary objective to conquer foreign lands but instead it became to protect lands but instead it became to protect lands but instead it became to protect the lands that had already been the lands that had already been the lands that had already been conquered legionary garrisons were conquered legionary garrisons were conquered legionary garrisons were posted on the Frontiers to monitor the posted on the Frontiers to monitor the posted on the Frontiers to monitor the borders and that is where they basically borders and that is where they basically borders and that is where they basically stayed for the next three stayed for the next three stayed for the next three centuries D Mission and hadrien cemented centuries D Mission and hadrien cemented centuries D Mission and hadrien cemented this mission in the late 1st century and this mission in the late 1st century and this mission in the late 1st century and early 2 centuries ad by literally early 2 centuries ad by literally early 2 centuries ad by literally building walls to demarcate the Empire building walls to demarcate the Empire building walls to demarcate the Empire from the Barbarian Lands Beyond you'll from the Barbarian Lands Beyond you'll from the Barbarian Lands Beyond you'll recall from earlier though that these recall from earlier though that these recall from earlier though that these walls were not designed to act as walls were not designed to act as walls were not designed to act as insurmountable fortifications but rather insurmountable fortifications but rather insurmountable fortifications but rather were erected to control the flow of were erected to control the flow of were erected to control the flow of traffic and serve as a stable line from traffic and serve as a stable line from traffic and serve as a stable line from which the legions could Mount forward which the legions could Mount forward which the legions could Mount forward operations and smother potential threats operations and smother potential threats operations and smother potential threats before they actually reach the before they actually reach the before they actually reach the Empire the utility of these lines though Empire the utility of these lines though Empire the utility of these lines though was premised on the notion that the was premised on the notion that the was premised on the notion that the Romans would always have superiority of

Romans would always have superiority of Romans would always have superiority of numbers in the local theaters of numbers in the local theaters of numbers in the local theaters of operation as long as the tribes along operation as long as the tribes along operation as long as the tribes along the danu or the rine or up in Britain the danu or the rine or up in Britain the danu or the rine or up in Britain were divided from one another one random were divided from one another one random were divided from one another one random Chief getting in his head to cause Chief getting in his head to cause Chief getting in his head to cause trouble was no big deal send in a legion trouble was no big deal send in a legion trouble was no big deal send in a legion smack him around be home by smack him around be home by smack him around be home by dinner but by the late 2nd Century this dinner but by the late 2nd Century this dinner but by the late 2nd Century this Assumption of numerical superiority Assumption of numerical superiority Assumption of numerical superiority became a dangerous fallacy the tribes became a dangerous fallacy the tribes became a dangerous fallacy the tribes were beginning to join forces something were beginning to join forces something were beginning to join forces something Marcus aelius learned full well during Marcus aelius learned full well during Marcus aelius learned full well during the maram manic Wars as the second century gave way to Wars as the second century gave way to the 3rd Century this evolution of the the 3rd Century this evolution of the the 3rd Century this evolution of the Germanic tribes from desparate groups Germanic tribes from desparate groups Germanic tribes from desparate groups into larger confederations only sped up into larger confederations only sped up into larger confederations only sped up and for most of the next Century as we and for most of the next Century as we and for most of the next Century as we saw ad nauseum in the last 15 episodes saw ad nauseum in the last 15 episodes saw ad nauseum in the last 15 episodes or so the local Legion stopped being a or so the local Legion stopped being a or so the local Legion stopped being a match for The Invasion forces that now match for The Invasion forces that now match for The Invasion forces that now vastly outnumbered vastly outnumbered vastly outnumbered them the legions and the provinces they them the legions and the provinces they them the legions and the provinces they protected were overrun and only through protected were overrun and only through protected were overrun and only through immense effort and more than a little immense effort and more than a little immense effort and more than a little luck was the Empire eventually able to luck was the Empire eventually able to luck was the Empire eventually able to turn the Invaders turn the Invaders turn the Invaders back for almost the entirety of the 3D back for almost the entirety of the 3D back for almost the entirety of the 3D Century this shift in the balance of Century this shift in the balance of Century this shift in the balance of power forced the Romans to play catchup power forced the Romans to play catchup power forced the Romans to play catchup always one two or even three steps always one two or even three steps always one two or even three steps behind their behind their behind their enemies a combination of improvised new enemies a combination of improvised new enemies a combination of improvised new strategies think Gus's mobile Cavalry strategies think Gus's mobile Cavalry strategies think Gus's mobile Cavalry and sheer force of will think aurelian and sheer force of will think aurelian and sheer force of will think aurelian allowed Rome to emerge intact into the

allowed Rome to emerge intact into the allowed Rome to emerge intact into the late 3rd late 3rd late 3rd Century but it was clear that one of Century but it was clear that one of Century but it was clear that one of these days they were going to have to these days they were going to have to these days they were going to have to completely reassess their military completely reassess their military completely reassess their military posture with the Ascension of dioclesian posture with the Ascension of dioclesian posture with the Ascension of dioclesian that day finally that day finally that day finally came not only did the new emperor came not only did the new emperor came not only did the new emperor possess the intellectual heft to possess the intellectual heft to possess the intellectual heft to conceive of something more than just conceive of something more than just conceive of something more than just another run of ad hoc responses but when another run of ad hoc responses but when another run of ad hoc responses but when he came to power in the mid 280s ad the he came to power in the mid 280s ad the he came to power in the mid 280s ad the Empire had gotten just enough breathing Empire had gotten just enough breathing Empire had gotten just enough breathing space that it was open to change space that it was open to change space that it was open to change in the north the tribes of the rine in in the north the tribes of the rine in in the north the tribes of the rine in the danu and especially the Goths who the danu and especially the Goths who the danu and especially the Goths who had been such a destructive force had had been such a destructive force had had been such a destructive force had been beaten back by dian's predecessors been beaten back by dian's predecessors been beaten back by dian's predecessors and in the East the cits were and in the East the cits were and in the East the cits were temporarily weak and divided following temporarily weak and divided following temporarily weak and divided following the death of the death of the death of sharor the time to act was now and sharor the time to act was now and sharor the time to act was now and Diocesan did not miss his Diocesan did not miss his Diocesan did not miss his opportunity so what did he do broadly speaking there are four do broadly speaking there are four things I want to talk about today first things I want to talk about today first things I want to talk about today first dian's administrative redistricting that dian's administrative redistricting that dian's administrative redistricting that created a ring of small militarized created a ring of small militarized created a ring of small militarized provinces around the edge of the provinces around the edge of the provinces around the edge of the Empire second the final separation of Empire second the final separation of Empire second the final separation of military and civilian career military and civilian career military and civilian career paths third the division of the army paths third the division of the army paths third the division of the army into two distinct forces the legions into two distinct forces the legions into two distinct forces the legions proper and a new static Frontier militia proper and a new static Frontier militia proper and a new static Frontier militia and finally how these reforms interacted and finally how these reforms interacted and finally how these reforms interacted to create a web of varying depth

to create a web of varying depth to create a web of varying depth surrounding the Empire that would ens surrounding the Empire that would ens surrounding the Empire that would ens snare and then destroy an invading snare and then destroy an invading snare and then destroy an invading enemy this is the so-called defense in enemy this is the so-called defense in enemy this is the so-called defense in depth theory proposed by Edward lewick depth theory proposed by Edward lewick depth theory proposed by Edward lewick and we will talk both about the model he and we will talk both about the model he and we will talk both about the model he proposed as well as the critiques other proposed as well as the critiques other proposed as well as the critiques other Scholars have levied against Scholars have levied against Scholars have levied against it now before we go on I should note it now before we go on I should note it now before we go on I should note that all the usual caveats about a lack that all the usual caveats about a lack that all the usual caveats about a lack of good sources for all this stuff still of good sources for all this stuff still of good sources for all this stuff still applies and that as historians and applies and that as historians and applies and that as historians and Scholars have cobbled together a picture Scholars have cobbled together a picture Scholars have cobbled together a picture of dian's military that they have been of dian's military that they have been of dian's military that they have been forced to rely on historians writing forced to rely on historians writing forced to rely on historians writing decades and even centuries after the decades and even centuries after the decades and even centuries after the fact it is in short difficult to fact it is in short difficult to fact it is in short difficult to separate out things that were separate out things that were separate out things that were specifically initiated by Diocesan from specifically initiated by Diocesan from specifically initiated by Diocesan from things that were merely attributed to things that were merely attributed to things that were merely attributed to him difficult to separate out things him difficult to separate out things him difficult to separate out things that were centrally planned from things that were centrally planned from things that were centrally planned from things that were initiated on the local level that were initiated on the local level that were initiated on the local level and finally difficult to weed out and finally difficult to weed out and finally difficult to weed out descriptions of his armies that are 100% descriptions of his armies that are 100% descriptions of his armies that are 100% free of free of free of anachronisms that being said the anachronisms that being said the anachronisms that being said the composition and posture of the legions composition and posture of the legions composition and posture of the legions did change during the period of the did change during the period of the did change during the period of the tetrarchy and the items I just outlined tetrarchy and the items I just outlined tetrarchy and the items I just outlined represent a fairly conservative represent a fairly conservative represent a fairly conservative estimation of the changes Diocesan undertook back in episode 89 provincial undertook back in episode 89 provincial matters we took a 45 minute long tour of matters we took a 45 minute long tour of matters we took a 45 minute long tour of the Empire that touched on each and the Empire that touched on each and the Empire that touched on each and every province in existence at the every province in existence at the every province in existence at the height of Rome's fame and

height of Rome's fame and height of Rome's fame and fortune that tour is now officially fortune that tour is now officially fortune that tour is now officially obsolete in the mid 290s ad most likely obsolete in the mid 290s ad most likely obsolete in the mid 290s ad most likely right as the tetrarchy was being formed right as the tetrarchy was being formed right as the tetrarchy was being formed dioclesian initiated a redistricting of dioclesian initiated a redistricting of dioclesian initiated a redistricting of the Empire on a massive the Empire on a massive the Empire on a massive scale at its most basic level a Diocesan scale at its most basic level a Diocesan scale at its most basic level a Diocesan waved his Imperial wand and doubled the waved his Imperial wand and doubled the waved his Imperial wand and doubled the number of provinces number of provinces number of provinces overnight we will deal more with the overnight we will deal more with the overnight we will deal more with the administrative implications of his administrative implications of his administrative implications of his redistricting next week though no we redistricting next week though no we redistricting next week though no we will not be going on a tour of the now will not be going on a tour of the now will not be going on a tour of the now hundred odd Roman provinces and for now hundred odd Roman provinces and for now hundred odd Roman provinces and for now I want to focus Solly on the military I want to focus Solly on the military I want to focus Solly on the military implications of the new boundary implications of the new boundary implications of the new boundary lines the Diocesan undertook the lines the Diocesan undertook the lines the Diocesan undertook the redrawing of the provincial lines for redrawing of the provincial lines for redrawing of the provincial lines for two main military reasons first and two main military reasons first and two main military reasons first and foremost by fracturing the size of the foremost by fracturing the size of the foremost by fracturing the size of the provinces Diocesan hoped to cut down on provinces Diocesan hoped to cut down on provinces Diocesan hoped to cut down on the amount of power a single Commander the amount of power a single Commander the amount of power a single Commander would wield no more governor of Britain would wield no more governor of Britain would wield no more governor of Britain can controlling three Legions by himself can controlling three Legions by himself can controlling three Legions by himself or the governor of lower Germany or the governor of lower Germany or the governor of lower Germany personally commanding three or four of personally commanding three or four of personally commanding three or four of his his his own smaller provinces meant a local own smaller provinces meant a local own smaller provinces meant a local Commander would usually have at his Commander would usually have at his Commander would usually have at his disposal what amounted to a single disposal what amounted to a single disposal what amounted to a single Legion this hopefully meant less threat Legion this hopefully meant less threat Legion this hopefully meant less threat of of of Revolt the second reason the provinces Revolt the second reason the provinces Revolt the second reason the provinces were fractured is that Dian wanted to were fractured is that Dian wanted to were fractured is that Dian wanted to divide up the dangerous and perpetually divide up the dangerous and perpetually divide up the dangerous and perpetually besieged outer rim of the Empire from besieged outer rim of the Empire from besieged outer rim of the Empire from the softer and more prosperous inner the softer and more prosperous inner the softer and more prosperous inner territories the former would become

territories the former would become territories the former would become essentially military districts while the essentially military districts while the essentially military districts while the latter would be allowed to go back to latter would be allowed to go back to latter would be allowed to go back to being simply provinces or more being simply provinces or more being simply provinces or more accurately undistracted economic inin accurately undistracted economic inin accurately undistracted economic inin for the for the for the empire in essence Diocesan wanted the empire in essence Diocesan wanted the empire in essence Diocesan wanted the ministers in charge of the outer ministers in charge of the outer ministers in charge of the outer provinces to focus on defense and the provinces to focus on defense and the provinces to focus on defense and the Ministers of the inner provinces to Ministers of the inner provinces to Ministers of the inner provinces to focus on the focus on the focus on the economy these two factors had to work in economy these two factors had to work in economy these two factors had to work in tandem for the Empire to Thrive and the tandem for the Empire to Thrive and the tandem for the Empire to Thrive and the emperor no longer wanted economic emperor no longer wanted economic emperor no longer wanted economic concerns to go unaddressed because the concerns to go unaddressed because the concerns to go unaddressed because the governor was off fighting the alaman and governor was off fighting the alaman and governor was off fighting the alaman and he didn't want the frontier lines to be he didn't want the frontier lines to be he didn't want the frontier lines to be neglected because the governor of neglected because the governor of neglected because the governor of panonia was stuck dealing with a grain panonia was stuck dealing with a grain panonia was stuck dealing with a grain distribution issue related to the division of the issue related to the division of the empire into what amounted to Military empire into what amounted to Military empire into what amounted to Military and civilian districts was the final and civilian districts was the final and civilian districts was the final severing of military and civilian career severing of military and civilian career severing of military and civilian career paths this was not a novel idea by any paths this was not a novel idea by any paths this was not a novel idea by any means but Diocesan brought it to its means but Diocesan brought it to its means but Diocesan brought it to its logical logical logical conclusion since the reign of galenus conclusion since the reign of galenus conclusion since the reign of galenus the senate had been denied military the senate had been denied military the senate had been denied military postings which meant in practice that postings which meant in practice that postings which meant in practice that key provincial governorships were now key provincial governorships were now key provincial governorships were now handed over to military men rather than handed over to military men rather than handed over to military men rather than Rich Aristocrats as had been the Rich Aristocrats as had been the Rich Aristocrats as had been the previous previous previous custom but this was not enough for custom but this was not enough for custom but this was not enough for Diocesan in his mind it was just as bad Diocesan in his mind it was just as bad Diocesan in his mind it was just as bad for career soldiers to be running for career soldiers to be running for career soldiers to be running administrative offices as it was for administrative offices as it was for administrative offices as it was for untrained Senators to be Leading Armies untrained Senators to be Leading Armies untrained Senators to be Leading Armies it was an inefficient misallocation of

it was an inefficient misallocation of it was an inefficient misallocation of talent and he aimed to put a stop to talent and he aimed to put a stop to talent and he aimed to put a stop to it so flying in the face of the whole of it so flying in the face of the whole of it so flying in the face of the whole of Roman history daian decreed that the Roman history daian decreed that the Roman history daian decreed that the political governor of a province and its political governor of a province and its political governor of a province and its Chief military officer would no longer Chief military officer would no longer Chief military officer would no longer be the same be the same be the same man he did this for the same basic man he did this for the same basic man he did this for the same basic reason he divided up the reason he divided up the reason he divided up the provinces first the checks and balances provinces first the checks and balances provinces first the checks and balances created by the separation of military created by the separation of military created by the separation of military and political power would undercut and political power would undercut and political power would undercut potential rebellion and second it would potential rebellion and second it would potential rebellion and second it would allow each leader to focus on his allow each leader to focus on his allow each leader to focus on his appointed tasks without being suddenly appointed tasks without being suddenly appointed tasks without being suddenly called off to deal with a foreign called off to deal with a foreign called off to deal with a foreign Invasion or a new tax Invasion or a new tax Invasion or a new tax law of course political and military law of course political and military law of course political and military power could never be divorced from one power could never be divorced from one power could never be divorced from one another at the highest level but from another at the highest level but from another at the highest level but from here on out on the provincial level a here on out on the provincial level a here on out on the provincial level a general now called a duck the precursor general now called a duck the precursor general now called a duck the precursor of the medieval Duke was not in charge of the medieval Duke was not in charge of the medieval Duke was not in charge of tax collection and the governor was of tax collection and the governor was of tax collection and the governor was not in charge of any not in charge of any not in charge of any troops together with the creation of the troops together with the creation of the troops together with the creation of the militarized outer rim provinces the militarized outer rim provinces the militarized outer rim provinces the split of Defense concerns from political split of Defense concerns from political split of Defense concerns from political or economic concerns meant that the Army or economic concerns meant that the Army or economic concerns meant that the Army would no longer be distracted in any way would no longer be distracted in any way would no longer be distracted in any way from their all-important task of keeping from their all-important task of keeping from their all-important task of keeping the Empire safe from Attack the question then is what did Attack the question then is what did Diocesan army look like and how did it Diocesan army look like and how did it Diocesan army look like and how did it differ from the Army he differ from the Army he differ from the Army he inherited well we've already seen that inherited well we've already seen that inherited well we've already seen that right off the bat he was troubled by the

right off the bat he was troubled by the right off the bat he was troubled by the concentration of force around the concentration of force around the concentration of force around the emperor and how that left huge swaths of emperor and how that left huge swaths of emperor and how that left huge swaths of the Empire open to the Empire open to the Empire open to attack that was the main catalyst behind attack that was the main catalyst behind attack that was the main catalyst behind his initial decision to elevate maximan his initial decision to elevate maximan his initial decision to elevate maximan and it played a huge part in his further and it played a huge part in his further and it played a huge part in his further decision to create the decision to create the decision to create the tetrarchy a sole Emperor running around tetrarchy a sole Emperor running around tetrarchy a sole Emperor running around trying to plug every leak in the Empire trying to plug every leak in the Empire trying to plug every leak in the Empire was as dangerous as it was was as dangerous as it was was as dangerous as it was Impractical no matter how fast it could Impractical no matter how fast it could Impractical no matter how fast it could move it would never be fast move it would never be fast move it would never be fast enough so right away we see the armies enough so right away we see the armies enough so right away we see the armies return to something resembling their return to something resembling their return to something resembling their precrisis years deployments only now precrisis years deployments only now precrisis years deployments only now each section of the empire was not each section of the empire was not each section of the empire was not commanded by a potential usurper but a commanded by a potential usurper but a commanded by a potential usurper but a fully initiated member of the Imperial fully initiated member of the Imperial fully initiated member of the Imperial Brotherhood but wait a second didn't Brotherhood but wait a second didn't Brotherhood but wait a second didn't that old system completely break down in that old system completely break down in that old system completely break down in the face of immense new pressures the face of immense new pressures the face of immense new pressures why yes it did but we should not forget why yes it did but we should not forget why yes it did but we should not forget that a big reason why it broke down was that a big reason why it broke down was that a big reason why it broke down was that usurpers kept leaving the Frontiers that usurpers kept leaving the Frontiers that usurpers kept leaving the Frontiers undefended as they made their bids for undefended as they made their bids for undefended as they made their bids for power back in power back in power back in Italy the establishment of the tetrarchy Italy the establishment of the tetrarchy Italy the establishment of the tetrarchy was supposed to negate that possibility was supposed to negate that possibility was supposed to negate that possibility and at least while Diocesan reigned and at least while Diocesan reigned and at least while Diocesan reigned that's exactly how it worked but of course usurpers abandoning worked but of course usurpers abandoning their post was not the whole story and their post was not the whole story and their post was not the whole story and Diocesan knew it Diocesan knew it Diocesan knew it the other big problem was that the old the other big problem was that the old the other big problem was that the old legionary deployments neither spread the legionary deployments neither spread the legionary deployments neither spread the Roman forces out enough to effectively Roman forces out enough to effectively Roman forces out enough to effectively monitor the frontier nor concentrated

monitor the frontier nor concentrated monitor the frontier nor concentrated enough force in one area for them to enough force in one area for them to enough force in one area for them to overwhelm their new larger overwhelm their new larger overwhelm their new larger opponents in other words the 4800 to opponents in other words the 4800 to opponents in other words the 4800 to 6,000 man Roman legion which had been in 6,000 man Roman legion which had been in 6,000 man Roman legion which had been in existence for 800 odd years was now existence for 800 odd years was now existence for 800 odd years was now becoming becoming becoming obsolete previous Emperors had of course obsolete previous Emperors had of course obsolete previous Emperors had of course realized this already Gus's creation of realized this already Gus's creation of realized this already Gus's creation of the mobile Cavalry is an obvious result the mobile Cavalry is an obvious result the mobile Cavalry is an obvious result of this understanding but Diocesan of this understanding but Diocesan of this understanding but Diocesan reformed legionary formations would reformed legionary formations would reformed legionary formations would actually flow from a different actually flow from a different actually flow from a different tradition for years cohorts of soldiers tradition for years cohorts of soldiers tradition for years cohorts of soldiers usually labeled vexations would be usually labeled vexations would be usually labeled vexations would be peeled off from their parent Legion and peeled off from their parent Legion and peeled off from their parent Legion and deployed elsewhere to shore up some deployed elsewhere to shore up some deployed elsewhere to shore up some underman area or lend a hand in some underman area or lend a hand in some underman area or lend a hand in some difficult difficult difficult situation sometimes the vex ations would situation sometimes the vex ations would situation sometimes the vex ations would return home when their specific task was return home when their specific task was return home when their specific task was complete but often they simply never complete but often they simply never complete but often they simply never returned to their parent Legion at returned to their parent Legion at returned to their parent Legion at all in many theaters these vexations all in many theaters these vexations all in many theaters these vexations usually numbering between 500 and a usually numbering between 500 and a usually numbering between 500 and a th000 men began to be regarded as the th000 men began to be regarded as the th000 men began to be regarded as the deao unit of deao unit of deao unit of deployment smaller and faster than a deployment smaller and faster than a deployment smaller and faster than a standard Legion they could be bunched standard Legion they could be bunched standard Legion they could be bunched together when a concentration of forces together when a concentration of forces together when a concentration of forces was needed and kept spread apart when was needed and kept spread apart when was needed and kept spread apart when the danger had passed and Frontier wide the danger had passed and Frontier wide the danger had passed and Frontier wide surveillance was surveillance was surveillance was needed Diocesan knew all about how these needed Diocesan knew all about how these needed Diocesan knew all about how these vexation units functioned and how much vexation units functioned and how much vexation units functioned and how much flexibility they gave commanders and flexibility they gave commanders and flexibility they gave commanders and when he took power he aimed to make

when he took power he aimed to make when he took power he aimed to make their status official that did not mean that the old official that did not mean that the old Legions were simply scrapped and indeed Legions were simply scrapped and indeed Legions were simply scrapped and indeed most of the existing Legions kept right most of the existing Legions kept right most of the existing Legions kept right on functioning as they always had but it on functioning as they always had but it on functioning as they always had but it did mean that when Diocesan created new did mean that when Diocesan created new did mean that when Diocesan created new Legions as the circumstances of his time Legions as the circumstances of his time Legions as the circumstances of his time demanded that he do they were not the demanded that he do they were not the demanded that he do they were not the traditional traditional traditional size Diocesan Legions were instead a size Diocesan Legions were instead a size Diocesan Legions were instead a compliment of just 1,000 men which helps compliment of just 1,000 men which helps compliment of just 1,000 men which helps explain how he was able to add 30 new explain how he was able to add 30 new explain how he was able to add 30 new Legions to the roles over the course of Legions to the roles over the course of Legions to the roles over the course of his Reign which would be a staggering his Reign which would be a staggering his Reign which would be a staggering number if you fail to account for their number if you fail to account for their number if you fail to account for their reduced reduced reduced size these new Legions were stationed size these new Legions were stationed size these new Legions were stationed across the Empire at strategic points across the Empire at strategic points across the Empire at strategic points far enough apart that they could watch a far enough apart that they could watch a far enough apart that they could watch a wide swath of territory while simultan wide swath of territory while simultan wide swath of territory while simultan mously being close enough to one another mously being close enough to one another mously being close enough to one another that if a major Invasion broke across that if a major Invasion broke across that if a major Invasion broke across the frontier they could quickly join the frontier they could quickly join the frontier they could quickly join together and fend off the together and fend off the together and fend off the attack we'll get into a deeper attack we'll get into a deeper attack we'll get into a deeper discussion of that in a minute the other real Innovation that minute the other real Innovation that Diocesan introduced into the Army is a Diocesan introduced into the Army is a Diocesan introduced into the Army is a little bit trickier to nail down because little bit trickier to nail down because little bit trickier to nail down because it involves the possible insertion of it involves the possible insertion of it involves the possible insertion of anachronisms into the historical anachronisms into the historical anachronisms into the historical record the traditional account is that record the traditional account is that record the traditional account is that it is at this point that the legions it is at this point that the legions it is at this point that the legions were joined on the Frontiers by a less were joined on the Frontiers by a less were joined on the Frontiers by a less well-trained less wellp paid quasi well-trained less wellp paid quasi well-trained less wellp paid quasi militia called and I hope I'm militia called and I hope I'm militia called and I hope I'm pronouncing this right the

pronouncing this right the pronouncing this right the limitan these troops drawn from the limitan these troops drawn from the limitan these troops drawn from the local population would be part-time local population would be part-time local population would be part-time soldiers and part-time farmers and thus soldiers and part-time farmers and thus soldiers and part-time farmers and thus in addition to helping defend the Empire in addition to helping defend the Empire in addition to helping defend the Empire they would also help keep the heavily they would also help keep the heavily they would also help keep the heavily Garrison Frontier provinces at least Garrison Frontier provinces at least Garrison Frontier provinces at least somewhat somewhat somewhat self-sufficient their mission was self-sufficient their mission was self-sufficient their mission was twofold first to police the frontier twofold first to police the frontier twofold first to police the frontier lines and defend against smalltime lines and defend against smalltime lines and defend against smalltime brigands and second to act as a warning brigands and second to act as a warning brigands and second to act as a warning Bell for the rest of the army if Bell for the rest of the army if Bell for the rest of the army if something bigger was on the something bigger was on the something bigger was on the way no one expected the limitan to stop way no one expected the limitan to stop way no one expected the limitan to stop anything of substance coming across the anything of substance coming across the anything of substance coming across the border but they were expected to raise border but they were expected to raise border but they were expected to raise the alarm and hold key fortifications the alarm and hold key fortifications the alarm and hold key fortifications until help until help until help arrived the problem with all of this is arrived the problem with all of this is arrived the problem with all of this is that though Diocesan usually gets credit that though Diocesan usually gets credit that though Diocesan usually gets credit for introducing the the limitan into the for introducing the the limitan into the for introducing the the limitan into the system these militia men really aren't system these militia men really aren't system these militia men really aren't fully documented until Constantine's fully documented until Constantine's fully documented until Constantine's Reign leading some to suspect that later Reign leading some to suspect that later Reign leading some to suspect that later historians mislabeled Diocesan Frontier historians mislabeled Diocesan Frontier historians mislabeled Diocesan Frontier deployments using a vocabulary that had deployments using a vocabulary that had deployments using a vocabulary that had not been invented not been invented not been invented yet we have a good idea that small yet we have a good idea that small yet we have a good idea that small detachments were posted along the detachments were posted along the detachments were posted along the Frontiers but the debate over whether Frontiers but the debate over whether Frontiers but the debate over whether these troops represented the same type these troops represented the same type these troops represented the same type of limitan forces that Constantine used of limitan forces that Constantine used of limitan forces that Constantine used is still a matter of much debate what is a matter of less debate is how what is a matter of less debate is how much all of this increased the overall much all of this increased the overall much all of this increased the overall size of the size of the size of the army again we are working from sources army again we are working from sources army again we are working from sources that are further removed from dian's own

that are further removed from dian's own that are further removed from dian's own time as we'd like but the consensus time as we'd like but the consensus time as we'd like but the consensus seems to be that all told Diocesan took seems to be that all told Diocesan took seems to be that all told Diocesan took an army roughly an army roughly an army roughly 350,000 strong and cranked it up to 350,000 strong and cranked it up to 350,000 strong and cranked it up to about 500,000 by the time he about 500,000 by the time he about 500,000 by the time he retired he pulled this off by order his retired he pulled this off by order his retired he pulled this off by order his agents to engage in some pretty agents to engage in some pretty agents to engage in some pretty heavy-handed recruitment efforts which heavy-handed recruitment efforts which heavy-handed recruitment efforts which is to say they didn't linger too long on is to say they didn't linger too long on is to say they didn't linger too long on persuasion before moving right on into persuasion before moving right on into persuasion before moving right on into conscription and of course if you're conscription and of course if you're conscription and of course if you're wondering what the effect this vast wondering what the effect this vast wondering what the effect this vast increase the size of the military had on increase the size of the military had on increase the size of the military had on the overall economy as the Romans were the overall economy as the Romans were the overall economy as the Romans were essentially transferring 150,000 young essentially transferring 150,000 young essentially transferring 150,000 young men from productive Farm labor to men from productive Farm labor to men from productive Farm labor to non-productive soldiering well the non-productive soldiering well the non-productive soldiering well the answer is that the economy took a pretty answer is that the economy took a pretty answer is that the economy took a pretty substantial hit substantial hit substantial hit a hit we'll get into in more detail in a hit we'll get into in more detail in a hit we'll get into in more detail in two weeks when we look at D cian's two weeks when we look at D cian's two weeks when we look at D cian's economic policies the other matter that is still policies the other matter that is still hotly debated today is how all of this hotly debated today is how all of this hotly debated today is how all of this fit fit fit together back in 1976 Edward lutwick together back in 1976 Edward lutwick together back in 1976 Edward lutwick Advanced a fairly comprehensive theory Advanced a fairly comprehensive theory Advanced a fairly comprehensive theory of what he called defense in of what he called defense in of what he called defense in depth what he argued is that Diocesan depth what he argued is that Diocesan depth what he argued is that Diocesan essentially gave up trying to defend a essentially gave up trying to defend a essentially gave up trying to defend a static Line in the Sand and opted static Line in the Sand and opted static Line in the Sand and opted instead to weave a web of defense that instead to weave a web of defense that instead to weave a web of defense that an enemy could enter at will but then an enemy could enter at will but then an enemy could enter at will but then only make it so far into before becoming only make it so far into before becoming only make it so far into before becoming permanently permanently permanently entangled the key to this defense entangled the key to this defense entangled the key to this defense in-depth strategy was something that

in-depth strategy was something that in-depth strategy was something that we've talked about earlier but that I we've talked about earlier but that I we've talked about earlier but that I haven't mentioned so far today because haven't mentioned so far today because haven't mentioned so far today because it wasn't really one of Dow cian's over it wasn't really one of Dow cian's over it wasn't really one of Dow cian's over reforms namely the intense effort the reforms namely the intense effort the reforms namely the intense effort the Romans undertook to build strong Romans undertook to build strong Romans undertook to build strong defensive walls around every city town defensive walls around every city town defensive walls around every city town and Grainery in and Grainery in and Grainery in sight these fortified positions became sight these fortified positions became sight these fortified positions became key hinge points for the new defensive key hinge points for the new defensive key hinge points for the new defensive strategy and the reason why the whole strategy and the reason why the whole strategy and the reason why the whole system was able to function as system was able to function as system was able to function as conceived the way it worked was this out conceived the way it worked was this out conceived the way it worked was this out on the front line the limitan forces on the front line the limitan forces on the front line the limitan forces would keep an eye on things from a would keep an eye on things from a would keep an eye on things from a series of small forts connected by a series of small forts connected by a series of small forts connected by a Military Road a little bit behind them Military Road a little bit behind them Military Road a little bit behind them would be stationed fewer but larger would be stationed fewer but larger would be stationed fewer but larger contingents of cavalry and a little bit contingents of cavalry and a little bit contingents of cavalry and a little bit behind them would be one or two main behind them would be one or two main behind them would be one or two main legionary legionary legionary garrisons a large Invasion force would garrisons a large Invasion force would garrisons a large Invasion force would then be able to easily blow past the then be able to easily blow past the then be able to easily blow past the limitan but that was okay because they limitan but that was okay because they limitan but that was okay because they could take refuge in their well supplied could take refuge in their well supplied could take refuge in their well supplied easily defended easily defended easily defended forts then the invasion Force had two forts then the invasion Force had two forts then the invasion Force had two options if the invading Army chose to options if the invading Army chose to options if the invading Army chose to use the Roman roads for easy travel they use the Roman roads for easy travel they use the Roman roads for easy travel they would pretty soon hit one of the larger would pretty soon hit one of the larger would pretty soon hit one of the larger fortified camps and be forced to choose fortified camps and be forced to choose fortified camps and be forced to choose between besieging it which would cost between besieging it which would cost between besieging it which would cost them time and resources or they could them time and resources or they could them time and resources or they could bypass it leaving themselves open to bypass it leaving themselves open to bypass it leaving themselves open to attack from the attack from the attack from the rear if on the other hand they abandon rear if on the other hand they abandon rear if on the other hand they abandon the road completely to avoid either of the road completely to avoid either of the road completely to avoid either of these scenarios their Pace would then be these scenarios their Pace would then be these scenarios their Pace would then be slowed considerably usually preventing

slowed considerably usually preventing slowed considerably usually preventing them from making it very much further them from making it very much further them from making it very much further before they were met by the Roman before they were met by the Roman before they were met by the Roman response in any event the enemy would response in any event the enemy would response in any event the enemy would find no easy access to Provisions since find no easy access to Provisions since find no easy access to Provisions since the Romans would have all of those the Romans would have all of those the Romans would have all of those locked up behind the walls of their locked up behind the walls of their locked up behind the walls of their Forts and quickly either ret treat out Forts and quickly either ret treat out Forts and quickly either ret treat out of frustration or stick around long of frustration or stick around long of frustration or stick around long enough for every Roman soldier in the enough for every Roman soldier in the enough for every Roman soldier in the region to collapse on them region to collapse on them region to collapse on them simultaneously from all simultaneously from all simultaneously from all sides thus would the Invaders be sides thus would the Invaders be sides thus would the Invaders be repelled quickly and repelled quickly and repelled quickly and efficiently now is this really the way efficiently now is this really the way efficiently now is this really the way things worked the answer is we have no things worked the answer is we have no things worked the answer is we have no idea some archaeological evidence idea some archaeological evidence idea some archaeological evidence particularly in the East seems to particularly in the East seems to particularly in the East seems to support leck's Theory while the rest support leck's Theory while the rest support leck's Theory while the rest seems either inconclusive Ive or seems either inconclusive Ive or seems either inconclusive Ive or downright hostile to the notion of a downright hostile to the notion of a downright hostile to the notion of a centrally planned defensive web centrally planned defensive web centrally planned defensive web surrounding the surrounding the surrounding the Empire plus it has been argued Empire plus it has been argued Empire plus it has been argued persuasively that whatever else you can persuasively that whatever else you can persuasively that whatever else you can say about the Romans you can never say say about the Romans you can never say say about the Romans you can never say that they just wanted to sit back and that they just wanted to sit back and that they just wanted to sit back and wait for wait for wait for attack true during the crisis years they attack true during the crisis years they attack true during the crisis years they were constantly sprinting from this were constantly sprinting from this were constantly sprinting from this Invasion to that but except for that Invasion to that but except for that Invasion to that but except for that period the Romans always always wanted period the Romans always always wanted period the Romans always always wanted to take the fight into enemy territory to take the fight into enemy territory to take the fight into enemy territory and it would have been anathema to their and it would have been anathema to their and it would have been anathema to their most basic ideologies of warfare to most basic ideologies of warfare to most basic ideologies of warfare to design a system that was premised on a design a system that was premised on a design a system that was premised on a defensive defensive defensive posture we have ourselves just gone posture we have ourselves just gone posture we have ourselves just gone through campaigns on the far side of the through campaigns on the far side of the through campaigns on the far side of the Rind by Diocesan and maximan and on the Rind by Diocesan and maximan and on the Rind by Diocesan and maximan and on the far side of the Tigress by garus both

far side of the Tigress by garus both far side of the Tigress by garus both undertaken to preempt possible Invasion undertaken to preempt possible Invasion undertaken to preempt possible Invasion into the empire in neither of those into the empire in neither of those into the empire in neither of those cases were the Emperors willing to just cases were the Emperors willing to just cases were the Emperors willing to just sit back and catch the enemy in a web Deb still rages about what exactly web Deb still rages about what exactly dian's overall strategy was and indeed dian's overall strategy was and indeed dian's overall strategy was and indeed whether or not he even had an overall whether or not he even had an overall whether or not he even had an overall strategy or whether this was all just strategy or whether this was all just strategy or whether this was all just randomly hashed out at the local randomly hashed out at the local randomly hashed out at the local level but during his Reign we do seem to level but during his Reign we do seem to level but during his Reign we do seem to see wider and deeper Force deployment see wider and deeper Force deployment see wider and deeper Force deployment patterns an increase in the total number patterns an increase in the total number patterns an increase in the total number of troops and a concerted effort to of troops and a concerted effort to of troops and a concerted effort to create a militarized ring around the create a militarized ring around the create a militarized ring around the Empire all of which suggest that he did Empire all of which suggest that he did Empire all of which suggest that he did have some kind of long-term defensive have some kind of long-term defensive have some kind of long-term defensive strategy in mind for the strategy in mind for the strategy in mind for the Empire unfortunately as was so much of Empire unfortunately as was so much of Empire unfortunately as was so much of Diocesan work the coming civil wars of Diocesan work the coming civil wars of Diocesan work the coming civil wars of the tetrarchy Civil Wars Dian had tried the tetrarchy Civil Wars Dian had tried the tetrarchy Civil Wars Dian had tried so hard to prevent would wind up so hard to prevent would wind up so hard to prevent would wind up overwhelming many of his reforms to the overwhelming many of his reforms to the overwhelming many of his reforms to the military structure as Rome once again military structure as Rome once again military structure as Rome once again fell back into the familiar pattern of fell back into the familiar pattern of fell back into the familiar pattern of waging Eternal war on waging Eternal war on waging Eternal war on itself what we can say for sure though itself what we can say for sure though itself what we can say for sure though is that Diocesan helped the Empire is that Diocesan helped the Empire is that Diocesan helped the Empire transition its military from its transition its military from its transition its military from its classical configuration a into the force classical configuration a into the force classical configuration a into the force that would be familiar to students of that would be familiar to students of that would be familiar to students of late Antiquity a force that in time set late Antiquity a force that in time set late Antiquity a force that in time set the stage for the armies that would be the stage for the armies that would be the stage for the armies that would be familiar to students of the Middle familiar to students of the Middle familiar to students of the Middle Ages Rome is already practically running Ages Rome is already practically running Ages Rome is already practically running its military out of castles so can King

its military out of castles so can King its military out of castles so can King Arthur really be that far behind next week we will get into one of behind next week we will get into one of the other ways that Diocesan set the the other ways that Diocesan set the the other ways that Diocesan set the stage for the next thousand years of stage for the next thousand years of stage for the next thousand years of History by discussing his reorganization History by discussing his reorganization History by discussing his reorganization of the Imperial governmental of the Imperial governmental of the Imperial governmental apparatus I'll talk more about his apparatus I'll talk more about his apparatus I'll talk more about his reordering of the provinces and some of reordering of the provinces and some of reordering of the provinces and some of the non-military aspects of the shift as the non-military aspects of the shift as the non-military aspects of the shift as well as introduce a new term that we well as introduce a new term that we well as introduce a new term that we should all be familiar with today the should all be familiar with today the should all be familiar with today the diales those overarching administrative diales those overarching administrative diales those overarching administrative zones that were taken over by the clergy zones that were taken over by the clergy zones that were taken over by the clergy as the empire in the west was falling as the empire in the west was falling as the empire in the west was falling apart and whose borders in many cases apart and whose borders in many cases apart and whose borders in many cases have remained unchanged down to the have remained unchanged down to the have remained unchanged down to the present day present day present day one last thing I'll mention before we go one last thing I'll mention before we go one last thing I'll mention before we go is that as of today there are still is that as of today there are still is that as of today there are still seven spots available for the final tour seven spots available for the final tour seven spots available for the final tour we have scheduled which runs from May we have scheduled which runs from May we have scheduled which runs from May 28th to June 7 28th to June 7 28th to June 7 2011 so if you thought you had missed 2011 so if you thought you had missed 2011 so if you thought you had missed out or maybe you've been sitting on the out or maybe you've been sitting on the out or maybe you've been sitting on the fence about coming by all means drop by fence about coming by all means drop by fence about coming by all means drop by history ofrom tour.com check it out and history ofrom tour.com check it out and history ofrom tour.com check it out and sign up it's going to be really really sign up it's going to be really really sign up it's going to be really really fun fun fun [Music]