Roman History 26 - Diocletian And The Tetrarchy 292-308 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode Rome episode Rome episode 126 All the King's 126 All the King's 126 All the King's [Music] [Music] [Music] Men as you know when Diocesan came to Men as you know when Diocesan came to Men as you know when Diocesan came to power in 284 he inherited an Empire that power in 284 he inherited an Empire that power in 284 he inherited an Empire that had spent the better part of 50 years had spent the better part of 50 years had spent the better part of 50 years getting kicked around the neighborhood getting kicked around the neighborhood getting kicked around the neighborhood everywhere he looked things were in everywhere he looked things were in everywhere he looked things were in shambles he he wanted to revive and shambles he he wanted to revive and shambles he he wanted to revive and restore the empire he had been taught to restore the empire he had been taught to restore the empire he had been taught to Revere and as he took over he faced no Revere and as he took over he faced no Revere and as he took over he faced no greater roadblock to this goal than the greater roadblock to this goal than the greater roadblock to this goal than the problem of the malfunctioning problem of the malfunctioning problem of the malfunctioning governmental apparatus he now governmental apparatus he now governmental apparatus he now headed what had happened was that as the headed what had happened was that as the headed what had happened was that as the military crisis became worse and worse military crisis became worse and worse military crisis became worse and worse the government had basically become the government had basically become the government had basically become nothing more than the supply arm of the nothing more than the supply arm of the nothing more than the supply arm of the army if civilians entered into the army if civilians entered into the army if civilians entered into the government's calculations at all it was government's calculations at all it was government's calculations at all it was only to determine what they might have only to determine what they might have only to determine what they might have that the Army might that the Army might that the Army might need everything else by the dire need everything else by the dire need everything else by the dire necessities of the times was considered necessities of the times was considered necessities of the times was considered an unimportant an unimportant an unimportant distraction but now that the crisis had distraction but now that the crisis had distraction but now that the crisis had subsided it became clear what sorts of subsided it became clear what sorts of subsided it became clear what sorts of really important things had been deemed really important things had been deemed really important things had been deemed unimportant distractions for example a unimportant distractions for example a unimportant distractions for example a functioning Judicial functioning Judicial functioning Judicial System basically everything that you System basically everything that you System basically everything that you would expect a government to do the would expect a government to do the would expect a government to do the Imperial government had ceased to do it Imperial government had ceased to do it Imperial government had ceased to do it was time then to reinvent that was time then to reinvent that was time then to reinvent that government as we've seen this government as we've seen this government as we've seen this reinvention started at the very top with reinvention started at the very top with reinvention started at the very top with the establishment of co-emperors and the establishment of co-emperors and the establishment of co-emperors and then the tetrarchy but it would descend

then the tetrarchy but it would descend then the tetrarchy but it would descend all the way down to the localist of all the way down to the localist of all the way down to the localist of local levels as Diocesan ensured that local levels as Diocesan ensured that local levels as Diocesan ensured that wherever there were Romans the Roman wherever there were Romans the Roman wherever there were Romans the Roman government would be government would be government would be there the big problem really was that there the big problem really was that there the big problem really was that too much was getting too much was getting too much was getting missed there are multiple reasons for missed there are multiple reasons for missed there are multiple reasons for the fracturing of Imperial Authority and the fracturing of Imperial Authority and the fracturing of Imperial Authority and the military and political rationals the military and political rationals the military and political rationals cannot be understated but on an cannot be understated but on an cannot be understated but on an administrative level the establishment administrative level the establishment administrative level the establishment of the tetrarchy was an extension of of the tetrarchy was an extension of of the tetrarchy was an extension of Diocesan desire to get more people Diocesan desire to get more people Diocesan desire to get more people focused on fewer things so that all that focused on fewer things so that all that focused on fewer things so that all that stuff that was getting missed would stop stuff that was getting missed would stop stuff that was getting missed would stop getting getting getting missed had he done nothing else the missed had he done nothing else the missed had he done nothing else the simple fact that there were now four simple fact that there were now four simple fact that there were now four Emperor spread out across the Empire Emperor spread out across the Empire Emperor spread out across the Empire instead of just one meant that already instead of just one meant that already instead of just one meant that already four times as much work with was getting four times as much work with was getting four times as much work with was getting done four times as many letters were done four times as many letters were done four times as many letters were being answered four times as many being answered four times as many being answered four times as many petitions were being ruled on four times petitions were being ruled on four times petitions were being ruled on four times as many decisions were being made and as as many decisions were being made and as as many decisions were being made and as a bonus each tetrarch didn't have to a bonus each tetrarch didn't have to a bonus each tetrarch didn't have to worry about what was going on on the worry about what was going on on the worry about what was going on on the other side of the Empire leaving him to other side of the Empire leaving him to other side of the Empire leaving him to focus on the management of his focus on the management of his focus on the management of his particular particular particular domain which was nice because even domain which was nice because even domain which was nice because even though it was just a quarter of the though it was just a quarter of the though it was just a quarter of the Empire those domains were still a pretty Empire those domains were still a pretty Empire those domains were still a pretty huge chunk of land and millions of huge chunk of land and millions of huge chunk of land and millions of people still Liv lived in people still Liv lived in people still Liv lived in them but of course the division of them but of course the division of them but of course the division of Imperial Authority was not the end of Imperial Authority was not the end of Imperial Authority was not the end of daian reforms it was just the daian reforms it was just the daian reforms it was just the beginning in keeping with the theme of

beginning in keeping with the theme of beginning in keeping with the theme of getting more people doing fewer things getting more people doing fewer things getting more people doing fewer things Diocesan also said about dividing up the Diocesan also said about dividing up the Diocesan also said about dividing up the empire into smaller more manageable empire into smaller more manageable empire into smaller more manageable provinces last week I focused on the provinces last week I focused on the provinces last week I focused on the military implications of this military implications of this military implications of this Reformation so this week I want to focus Reformation so this week I want to focus Reformation so this week I want to focus on the administrative on the administrative on the administrative aspects there were basically three main aspects there were basically three main aspects there were basically three main things here that were of concern the things here that were of concern the things here that were of concern the collection of taxes the administration collection of taxes the administration collection of taxes the administration of justice and the maintenance of the of justice and the maintenance of the of justice and the maintenance of the infrastructure all three of these core infrastructure all three of these core infrastructure all three of these core missions had been more or less abandoned missions had been more or less abandoned missions had been more or less abandoned as the crisis years wore on and even as the crisis years wore on and even as the crisis years wore on and even before then the size of an individual before then the size of an individual before then the size of an individual province which was big and the size of a province which was big and the size of a province which was big and the size of a provincial government which was small provincial government which was small provincial government which was small conspired to make most administrations conspired to make most administrations conspired to make most administrations woefully inadequate with regards to all woefully inadequate with regards to all woefully inadequate with regards to all three anyway sure taxes were collected three anyway sure taxes were collected three anyway sure taxes were collected and Justice was administered and the and Justice was administered and the and Justice was administered and the roads were maintained but not without roads were maintained but not without roads were maintained but not without delays inefficiencies and outright delays inefficiencies and outright delays inefficiencies and outright failures when it came to government failures when it came to government failures when it came to government Diocesan didn't want to just set things Diocesan didn't want to just set things Diocesan didn't want to just set things back to the way they had been he wanted back to the way they had been he wanted back to the way they had been he wanted to make the whole operation better when Dian finished drawing his better when Dian finished drawing his lines all over the map and I have posted lines all over the map and I have posted lines all over the map and I have posted a map of dian's New provincial alignment a map of dian's New provincial alignment a map of dian's New provincial alignment at the historyof rome. typepad.com at the historyof rome. typepad.com at the historyof rome. typepad.com the Romans found that their empire now the Romans found that their empire now the Romans found that their empire now contained over a 100 contained over a 100 contained over a 100 provinces as with the larger division of provinces as with the larger division of provinces as with the larger division of the tetrarchy the proliferation of new the tetrarchy the proliferation of new the tetrarchy the proliferation of new provinces meant that simply put

provinces meant that simply put provinces meant that simply put Governors had less to worry about and it Governors had less to worry about and it Governors had less to worry about and it was a good thing that they had less to was a good thing that they had less to was a good thing that they had less to worry about because Diocesan was going worry about because Diocesan was going worry about because Diocesan was going to expect more of them than any previous to expect more of them than any previous to expect more of them than any previous Emperor Emperor Emperor had for example he sent out instructions had for example he sent out instructions had for example he sent out instructions that he expected his Governors to be that he expected his Governors to be that he expected his Governors to be active participants in the judicial active participants in the judicial active participants in the judicial system they were not to ignore petitions system they were not to ignore petitions system they were not to ignore petitions or appeals and they were not to hand or appeals and they were not to hand or appeals and they were not to hand them off to them off to them off to subordinates they had been made the subordinates they had been made the subordinates they had been made the Supreme legal Authority in their Supreme legal Authority in their Supreme legal Authority in their Province and they were damn well going Province and they were damn well going Province and they were damn well going to act like to act like to act like it it used to be easy to sh these it it used to be easy to sh these it it used to be easy to sh these responsibilities because the absolute responsibilities because the absolute responsibilities because the absolute flood of plaintiffs and defendants who flood of plaintiffs and defendants who flood of plaintiffs and defendants who would come calling made for an easy would come calling made for an easy would come calling made for an easy excuse but even the most conscientious excuse but even the most conscientious excuse but even the most conscientious Governor had no hope of dealing with it Governor had no hope of dealing with it Governor had no hope of dealing with it all all all himself so smaller provinces and voila a himself so smaller provinces and voila a himself so smaller provinces and voila a reasonably sized case reasonably sized case reasonably sized case load I don't want to belabor these load I don't want to belabor these load I don't want to belabor these points because I think you get the points because I think you get the points because I think you get the general idea but suffice it to say that general idea but suffice it to say that general idea but suffice it to say that smaller provinces also meant that it was smaller provinces also meant that it was smaller provinces also meant that it was easier to track down tax evaders and it easier to track down tax evaders and it easier to track down tax evaders and it was easier to notice when a dilapidated was easier to notice when a dilapidated was easier to notice when a dilapidated building needed to be building needed to be building needed to be repaired more people focused on fewer repaired more people focused on fewer repaired more people focused on fewer things meant that fewer things were things meant that fewer things were things meant that fewer things were getting getting getting missed but of course with all these missed but of course with all these missed but of course with all these little provinces running around little provinces running around little provinces running around coordinating empire-wide initiatives coordinating empire-wide initiatives coordinating empire-wide initiatives became a major headache so over and became a major headache so over and became a major headache so over and above the provincial Governors Dian above the provincial Governors Dian above the provincial Governors Dian created a whole new bureaucratic level created a whole new bureaucratic level created a whole new bureaucratic level to help manage macro policy and these

to help manage macro policy and these to help manage macro policy and these were called the were called the were called the dioces the 100 odd provinces were dioces the 100 odd provinces were dioces the 100 odd provinces were collected into just 12 of these new collected into just 12 of these new collected into just 12 of these new dioses and it was at this level that the dioses and it was at this level that the dioses and it was at this level that the most basic policies of the tarchyshnik four provinces as in the tarchyshnik four provinces as in the case of Britain and as many 16 as in the case of Britain and as many 16 as in the case of Britain and as many 16 as in the case of the so-called dioces of the East case of the so-called dioces of the East case of the so-called dioces of the East which Encompass the whole of the Eastern which Encompass the whole of the Eastern which Encompass the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean their main function was to Mediterranean their main function was to Mediterranean their main function was to help enforce policy that was being help enforce policy that was being help enforce policy that was being handed down by the emperor and help handed down by the emperor and help handed down by the emperor and help oversee policy that was being enacted on oversee policy that was being enacted on oversee policy that was being enacted on the local the local the local level the men in charge of a dicese were level the men in charge of a dicese were level the men in charge of a dicese were called Vickers and they were officially called Vickers and they were officially called Vickers and they were officially listed as the personal representative of listed as the personal representative of listed as the personal representative of the petorian prefect meaning that they the petorian prefect meaning that they the petorian prefect meaning that they were just about as close to the Emperor were just about as close to the Emperor were just about as close to the Emperor as you could get these days which helped as you could get these days which helped as you could get these days which helped streamline the process of rolling out streamline the process of rolling out streamline the process of rolling out new new new policies these novel new super districts policies these novel new super districts policies these novel new super districts were kept around in the East until were kept around in the East until were kept around in the East until Justinian decided to abolish them and go Justinian decided to abolish them and go Justinian decided to abolish them and go back to the more powerful provincial back to the more powerful provincial back to the more powerful provincial Governor model but in the west the Governor model but in the west the Governor model but in the west the diocese were taken over by the clergy diocese were taken over by the clergy diocese were taken over by the clergy and formed the basis even today of and formed the basis even today of and formed the basis even today of Catholic Administration in Europe on the subject of macro poliy Europe on the subject of macro poliy policy I want to insert a small policy I want to insert a small policy I want to insert a small correction for something I said last correction for something I said last correction for something I said last week with regard to the new military week with regard to the new military week with regard to the new military duxes I said that given the smaller duxes I said that given the smaller duxes I said that given the smaller sizes of Diocesan provinces that the sizes of Diocesan provinces that the sizes of Diocesan provinces that the duxes only commanded small contingents duxes only commanded small contingents duxes only commanded small contingents of soldiers but the opposite was

of soldiers but the opposite was of soldiers but the opposite was actually true a duck functioned more actually true a duck functioned more actually true a duck functioned more like a theater commander who often like a theater commander who often like a theater commander who often oversaw multiple provinces worth of oversaw multiple provinces worth of oversaw multiple provinces worth of soldiers in order to maintain strategic soldiers in order to maintain strategic soldiers in order to maintain strategic coordination out on the coordination out on the coordination out on the Frontiers their ability to revolt was Frontiers their ability to revolt was Frontiers their ability to revolt was blunted not so much by the fact that blunted not so much by the fact that blunted not so much by the fact that they only commanded a small number of they only commanded a small number of they only commanded a small number of troops some duckes actually controlled troops some duckes actually controlled troops some duckes actually controlled 20,000 men or more but rather by the 20,000 men or more but rather by the 20,000 men or more but rather by the fact that they had no political powers fact that they had no political powers fact that they had no political powers and no private control over the tax and and no private control over the tax and and no private control over the tax and Levy system that they would need if they Levy system that they would need if they Levy system that they would need if they were going to fund and feed a Revolt so were going to fund and feed a Revolt so were going to fund and feed a Revolt so I apologize for having denigrated the I apologize for having denigrated the I apologize for having denigrated the rank and dignity of the noble Ducks the point of adding new layers of Ducks the point of adding new layers of administration was to try to get administration was to try to get administration was to try to get everyone on the same everyone on the same everyone on the same page Diocesan wanted the Empire to page Diocesan wanted the Empire to page Diocesan wanted the Empire to function as one coordinated mechanism function as one coordinated mechanism function as one coordinated mechanism with all parts working in concert with with all parts working in concert with with all parts working in concert with one another for the betterment of the one another for the betterment of the one another for the betterment of the whole to this end he also initiated two whole to this end he also initiated two whole to this end he also initiated two highly unpopular shifts at least in the highly unpopular shifts at least in the highly unpopular shifts at least in the affected regions to make sure that no affected regions to make sure that no affected regions to make sure that no part of the Empire thought it was part of the Empire thought it was part of the Empire thought it was somehow better or different than the somehow better or different than the somehow better or different than the rest I speaking of course of his rest I speaking of course of his rest I speaking of course of his treatment of two parts of the Empire treatment of two parts of the Empire treatment of two parts of the Empire that most definitely considered that most definitely considered that most definitely considered themselves better and different Italy themselves better and different Italy themselves better and different Italy and Egypt as he was splitting up the Egypt as he was splitting up the provinces and appointing vicar Diocesan provinces and appointing vicar Diocesan provinces and appointing vicar Diocesan decided that the time for special

decided that the time for special decided that the time for special treatment was over and that henceforth treatment was over and that henceforth treatment was over and that henceforth everyone would be equal within what had everyone would be equal within what had everyone would be equal within what had become in every single way a become in every single way a become in every single way a multinational multinational multinational Empire the Italians going back to the Empire the Italians going back to the Empire the Italians going back to the very beginning of Rome's expansion had very beginning of Rome's expansion had very beginning of Rome's expansion had been exempt from Taxation and had always been exempt from Taxation and had always been exempt from Taxation and had always enjoyed certain other little perks that enjoyed certain other little perks that enjoyed certain other little perks that came with being the home base of the came with being the home base of the came with being the home base of the Empire but now that was Empire but now that was Empire but now that was over divided into 16 districts and over divided into 16 districts and over divided into 16 districts and watched over by a vicer Italy was now watched over by a vicer Italy was now watched over by a vicer Italy was now treated just like any other treated just like any other treated just like any other Province only the city of Rome itself Province only the city of Rome itself Province only the city of Rome itself maintained its exemption one of the few maintained its exemption one of the few maintained its exemption one of the few deferential nods daian ever made to the deferential nods daian ever made to the deferential nods daian ever made to the birthplace of his Empire Egypt on the other hand had always paid Egypt on the other hand had always paid its taxes though there was an awful lot its taxes though there was an awful lot its taxes though there was an awful lot of dodging going on but they had also of dodging going on but they had also of dodging going on but they had also been granted a degree of autonomy they been granted a degree of autonomy they been granted a degree of autonomy they were allowed to keep their own records were allowed to keep their own records were allowed to keep their own records they ran off their own calendar and they ran off their own calendar and they ran off their own calendar and perhaps most importantly they coined perhaps most importantly they coined perhaps most importantly they coined their own money at a mint in their own money at a mint in their own money at a mint in Alexandria all of this too was canceled Alexandria all of this too was canceled Alexandria all of this too was canceled by daesan as he implemented his nice by daesan as he implemented his nice by daesan as he implemented his nice clean rational order free of exemptions clean rational order free of exemptions clean rational order free of exemptions exceptions preferential treatment and exceptions preferential treatment and exceptions preferential treatment and special special special deals maybe the Empire could afford such deals maybe the Empire could afford such deals maybe the Empire could afford such things in good times but the good times things in good times but the good times things in good times but the good times were long gone it was time for everyone were long gone it was time for everyone were long gone it was time for everyone to pitch in equally for the senatorial aristocracy

equally for the senatorial aristocracy in Italy the blows to their status were in Italy the blows to their status were in Italy the blows to their status were now coming Fast and now coming Fast and now coming Fast and Furious their power as a body had of Furious their power as a body had of Furious their power as a body had of course been Stripped Away by Augustus a course been Stripped Away by Augustus a course been Stripped Away by Augustus a long long time ago but the pleasant long long time ago but the pleasant long long time ago but the pleasant fictions of the principate had allowed fictions of the principate had allowed fictions of the principate had allowed Senators to maintain some dignity over Senators to maintain some dignity over Senators to maintain some dignity over the following centuries they ran the following centuries they ran the following centuries they ran provinces they ratified decisions and as provinces they ratified decisions and as provinces they ratified decisions and as individuals they joined in the individuals they joined in the individuals they joined in the administrations of just about every administrations of just about every administrations of just about every Emperor but now that too was all Emperor but now that too was all Emperor but now that too was all over dian's vision of an autocratic over dian's vision of an autocratic over dian's vision of an autocratic centrally planned and centrally governed centrally planned and centrally governed centrally planned and centrally governed Empire was absolute and he had no Empire was absolute and he had no Empire was absolute and he had no intention of letting a few wealthy intention of letting a few wealthy intention of letting a few wealthy Italians who used to be somebody we Italians who used to be somebody we Italians who used to be somebody we swear get in his swear get in his swear get in his way his first and most obvious move way his first and most obvious move way his first and most obvious move towards eradicating the Senate from towards eradicating the Senate from towards eradicating the Senate from Imperial Affairs as we've already seen Imperial Affairs as we've already seen Imperial Affairs as we've already seen was to Simply never go to Rome power is was to Simply never go to Rome power is was to Simply never go to Rome power is usually established by proximity to usually established by proximity to usually established by proximity to power and the Senate was now physically power and the Senate was now physically power and the Senate was now physically nowhere near nowhere near nowhere near power but daian went further than that power but daian went further than that power but daian went further than that previous Emperors had allowed the Senate previous Emperors had allowed the Senate previous Emperors had allowed the Senate to continue running the old senatorial to continue running the old senatorial to continue running the old senatorial provinces of the Augustine provinces of the Augustine provinces of the Augustine constitutional settlements the most constitutional settlements the most constitutional settlements the most important of these being the provinces important of these being the provinces important of these being the provinces of Africa and of Africa and of Africa and Asia they never wielded anything like Asia they never wielded anything like Asia they never wielded anything like final Authority but senators were final Authority but senators were final Authority but senators were appointed governors of these provinces appointed governors of these provinces appointed governors of these provinces and the Senate as a body still and the Senate as a body still and the Senate as a body still deliberated what to do with them with

deliberated what to do with them with deliberated what to do with them with the full understanding that anytime the the full understanding that anytime the the full understanding that anytime the emperor wanted to he could step in and emperor wanted to he could step in and emperor wanted to he could step in and do or undo whatever he do or undo whatever he do or undo whatever he wanted but still they had a little tiny wanted but still they had a little tiny wanted but still they had a little tiny chip in the game when Diocesan chip in the game when Diocesan chip in the game when Diocesan reorganized the Empire though that chip reorganized the Empire though that chip reorganized the Empire though that chip was taken away as he obliterated the old was taken away as he obliterated the old was taken away as he obliterated the old senatorial Imperial provincial senatorial Imperial provincial senatorial Imperial provincial distinction plus almost to a man dian's distinction plus almost to a man dian's distinction plus almost to a man dian's new provincial authorities were drawn new provincial authorities were drawn new provincial authorities were drawn from the equestrian from the equestrian from the equestrian class he wanted smart capable class he wanted smart capable class he wanted smart capable career-minded men who owed their career-minded men who owed their career-minded men who owed their allegiance fully and completely to the allegiance fully and completely to the allegiance fully and completely to the emperor to be the ones out in the field emperor to be the ones out in the field emperor to be the ones out in the field running the running the running the show the old a ocracy in Rome never show the old a ocracy in Rome never show the old a ocracy in Rome never quite gave up their sense of quite gave up their sense of quite gave up their sense of self-importance when they gave up their self-importance when they gave up their self-importance when they gave up their power and Diocesan did not trust them to power and Diocesan did not trust them to power and Diocesan did not trust them to fall into line without hesitation or fall into line without hesitation or fall into line without hesitation or reservation the only notice he took of reservation the only notice he took of reservation the only notice he took of their feelings is that when he divided their feelings is that when he divided their feelings is that when he divided up Italy along with the rest of the up Italy along with the rest of the up Italy along with the rest of the Empire he did allow Senators to govern Empire he did allow Senators to govern Empire he did allow Senators to govern the individual Italian districts though the individual Italian districts though the individual Italian districts though they were overseen by an equestrian they were overseen by an equestrian they were overseen by an equestrian vicer from this point on we see a shift vicer from this point on we see a shift vicer from this point on we see a shift in Roman politics ICS robbed of any role in Roman politics ICS robbed of any role in Roman politics ICS robbed of any role to play in the Empire they had created to play in the Empire they had created to play in the Empire they had created the senators in Rome fell back into a the senators in Rome fell back into a the senators in Rome fell back into a merely local brand of merely local brand of merely local brand of politics no longer was the Pinnacle of a politics no longer was the Pinnacle of a politics no longer was the Pinnacle of a senator's career the consulship the senator's career the consulship the senator's career the consulship the governorship or the emperorship it was governorship or the emperorship it was governorship or the emperorship it was instead the city

instead the city instead the city prefecture the mayor of Rome oh how the prefecture the mayor of Rome oh how the prefecture the mayor of Rome oh how the mighty have mighty have mighty have fallen this was all undertaken I think fallen this was all undertaken I think fallen this was all undertaken I think not so much because dioc despised the not so much because dioc despised the not so much because dioc despised the Senate as his attitude is sometimes Senate as his attitude is sometimes Senate as his attitude is sometimes reduced to but instead because he reduced to but instead because he reduced to but instead because he disliked the untidiness of the old disliked the untidiness of the old disliked the untidiness of the old Augustine pseudo partnership with Augustine pseudo partnership with Augustine pseudo partnership with him Diocesan was with every fiber of his him Diocesan was with every fiber of his him Diocesan was with every fiber of his being an being an being an autocrat he was not the type of man like autocrat he was not the type of man like autocrat he was not the type of man like say trun had been who encouraged his say trun had been who encouraged his say trun had been who encouraged his subordinates to figure it out for subordinates to figure it out for subordinates to figure it out for themselves daian wanted to control every themselves daian wanted to control every themselves daian wanted to control every single little detail of Imperial single little detail of Imperial single little detail of Imperial Administration and then s atiz that Administration and then s atiz that Administration and then s atiz that control so that it became permanent and control so that it became permanent and control so that it became permanent and unbreakable to this end he created the unbreakable to this end he created the unbreakable to this end he created the largest centralized bureaucracy staffed largest centralized bureaucracy staffed largest centralized bureaucracy staffed by career civil servants the Western by career civil servants the Western by career civil servants the Western World had ever seen and then let it run World had ever seen and then let it run World had ever seen and then let it run the empire in a later denunciation of dian's empire in a later denunciation of dian's policies the bitterly hostile Christian policies the bitterly hostile Christian policies the bitterly hostile Christian writer lactantius who as we'll soon see writer lactantius who as we'll soon see writer lactantius who as we'll soon see had some very good reasons for being had some very good reasons for being had some very good reasons for being bitterly hostile bitterly hostile bitterly hostile describes the enlargement of the describes the enlargement of the describes the enlargement of the Imperial bureaucracy as creating a Imperial bureaucracy as creating a Imperial bureaucracy as creating a situation where the number of men being situation where the number of men being situation where the number of men being paid by the state was greater than the paid by the state was greater than the paid by the state was greater than the number of taxpayers paying into the number of taxpayers paying into the number of taxpayers paying into the state this is of course a gross state this is of course a gross state this is of course a gross exaggeration but there is no denying exaggeration but there is no denying exaggeration but there is no denying that Diocesan effectively doubled the

that Diocesan effectively doubled the that Diocesan effectively doubled the number of civil servants over the course number of civil servants over the course number of civil servants over the course of his Reign but that doubling was from of his Reign but that doubling was from of his Reign but that doubling was from around 15,000 to maybe 30,000 in an around 15,000 to maybe 30,000 in an around 15,000 to maybe 30,000 in an Empire with a total population of 20 to Empire with a total population of 20 to Empire with a total population of 20 to 50 million so no there were not more 50 million so no there were not more 50 million so no there were not more bureaucrats than taxpayers but yes there bureaucrats than taxpayers but yes there bureaucrats than taxpayers but yes there were a lot more salary men running were a lot more salary men running were a lot more salary men running around today than there were yesterday around today than there were yesterday around today than there were yesterday and that did have a negative impact on and that did have a negative impact on and that did have a negative impact on the the the economy the other thing to keep in mind economy the other thing to keep in mind economy the other thing to keep in mind though is that the new bureaucracy was though is that the new bureaucracy was though is that the new bureaucracy was not necessarily adding redundant layers not necessarily adding redundant layers not necessarily adding redundant layers to the administration of the to the administration of the to the administration of the Empire during the crisis years a local Empire during the crisis years a local Empire during the crisis years a local Civic government had essentially ceased Civic government had essentially ceased Civic government had essentially ceased all all all operations all those town and city operations all those town and city operations all those town and city councils that had previously councils that had previously councils that had previously administered daily life had shuttered administered daily life had shuttered administered daily life had shuttered their doors and someone had to step into their doors and someone had to step into their doors and someone had to step into the void so enter the Imperial bureaucrat the new bureaucracy was the bureaucrat the new bureaucracy was the flip side of that separation of Civilian flip side of that separation of Civilian flip side of that separation of Civilian and military operations we talked about and military operations we talked about and military operations we talked about last last last week just as generals had gradually week just as generals had gradually week just as generals had gradually taken over the provincial govern taken over the provincial govern taken over the provincial govern governorships the daily minutia of governorships the daily minutia of governorships the daily minutia of governance was taken over by career governance was taken over by career governance was taken over by career soldiers on their staffs as soldiers on their staffs as soldiers on their staffs as well Doan wanted to get the soldiers well Doan wanted to get the soldiers well Doan wanted to get the soldiers back to doing what they did best and back to doing what they did best and back to doing what they did best and bring in trained professionals to do the bring in trained professionals to do the bring in trained professionals to do the work the military had by necessity taken work the military had by necessity taken work the military had by necessity taken over but as he considered how the new over but as he considered how the new over but as he considered how the new administrative system was going to

administrative system was going to administrative system was going to function daian decided that the one function daian decided that the one function daian decided that the one thing he liked about the military being thing he liked about the military being thing he liked about the military being in charge was the clear chains of in charge was the clear chains of in charge was the clear chains of command the clear hierarchy of authority command the clear hierarchy of authority command the clear hierarchy of authority and the clear specialization of and the clear specialization of and the clear specialization of function so when he kicked the soldiers function so when he kicked the soldiers function so when he kicked the soldiers back to the Frontiers he essentially back to the Frontiers he essentially back to the Frontiers he essentially kept the structure of the military in kept the structure of the military in kept the structure of the military in place for his new bureaucracy even as he place for his new bureaucracy even as he place for his new bureaucracy even as he staffed it with staffed it with staffed it with civilians bureaucrats were grouped into civilians bureaucrats were grouped into civilians bureaucrats were grouped into cohorts just like in the legions made cohorts just like in the legions made cohorts just like in the legions made answerable to senior officials who were answerable to senior officials who were answerable to senior officials who were in turn grouped together and made in turn grouped together and made in turn grouped together and made answerable to another senior official answerable to another senior official answerable to another senior official all the way up to the petorian prefect all the way up to the petorian prefect all the way up to the petorian prefect and the emperor and the emperor and the emperor to make sure that no one missed the to make sure that no one missed the to make sure that no one missed the point Dian even made the official point Dian even made the official point Dian even made the official uniform of his Civil Service a military uniform of his Civil Service a military uniform of his Civil Service a military cloak rather than a civilian toga most of these officials served out toga most of these officials served out in the provinces collecting taxes in the provinces collecting taxes in the provinces collecting taxes maintaining the public infrastructure maintaining the public infrastructure maintaining the public infrastructure assessing property values and so on and assessing property values and so on and assessing property values and so on and so on but everyone was angling for a so on but everyone was angling for a so on but everyone was angling for a promotion to where the action and money promotion to where the action and money promotion to where the action and money really was working directly for one of really was working directly for one of really was working directly for one of the emperors in one of the Imperial the emperors in one of the Imperial the emperors in one of the Imperial capitals where once a few informal capitals where once a few informal capitals where once a few informal advisers had helped the emperor shape advisers had helped the emperor shape advisers had helped the emperor shape policy and make decisions there was now policy and make decisions there was now policy and make decisions there was now a staff of literally thousands carefully a staff of literally thousands carefully a staff of literally thousands carefully regimented into different departments regimented into different departments regimented into different departments all scurrying to and fro issuing all scurrying to and fro issuing all scurrying to and fro issuing memoranda making recommendations and memoranda making recommendations and memoranda making recommendations and implementing implementing implementing policy these departments became known as

policy these departments became known as policy these departments became known as scenia named after the boxes the scenia named after the boxes the scenia named after the boxes the officials used to hold all their officials used to hold all their officials used to hold all their paperwork in traveling with the emperor paperwork in traveling with the emperor paperwork in traveling with the emperor and there was a scenia for and there was a scenia for and there was a scenia for everything Foreign Affairs protocol everything Foreign Affairs protocol everything Foreign Affairs protocol correspondence in Latin correspondence correspondence in Latin correspondence correspondence in Latin correspondence in Greek petitions favors law Finance on in Greek petitions favors law Finance on in Greek petitions favors law Finance on and on each scenia had a department head and on each scenia had a department head and on each scenia had a department head the equivalent of a cabinet minister or the equivalent of a cabinet minister or the equivalent of a cabinet minister or cabinet secretary who when grouped cabinet secretary who when grouped cabinet secretary who when grouped together became known as the consist the together became known as the consist the together became known as the consist the permanent body of advisers who surround permanent body of advisers who surround permanent body of advisers who surround of the of the of the emperor the most important of all these emperor the most important of all these emperor the most important of all these officials and the one who was really in officials and the one who was really in officials and the one who was really in charge of running the show on a charge of running the show on a charge of running the show on a day-to-day basis was the petorian day-to-day basis was the petorian day-to-day basis was the petorian prefect who in terms of power both de prefect who in terms of power both de prefect who in terms of power both de facto and dour was second only to the facto and dour was second only to the facto and dour was second only to the emperor the office of petorian prefect emperor the office of petorian prefect emperor the office of petorian prefect had over the years evolved well beyond had over the years evolved well beyond had over the years evolved well beyond simply being the captain of the Imperial simply being the captain of the Imperial simply being the captain of the Imperial bodyguard Lucius sanus had been the bodyguard Lucius sanus had been the bodyguard Lucius sanus had been the first to assume administrator and first to assume administrator and first to assume administrator and political functions and for the next political functions and for the next political functions and for the next century and a half the trajectory of the century and a half the trajectory of the century and a half the trajectory of the office had been consistently away from office had been consistently away from office had been consistently away from its old military functions and towards its old military functions and towards its old military functions and towards an exclusively political an exclusively political an exclusively political one when Septimus Seas disbanded and one when Septimus Seas disbanded and one when Septimus Seas disbanded and then reformed the pretorians though the then reformed the pretorians though the then reformed the pretorians though the prefects once again wielded real prefects once again wielded real prefects once again wielded real military Authority but when Diocesan military Authority but when Diocesan military Authority but when Diocesan took power the pretorians were reformed took power the pretorians were reformed took power the pretorians were reformed once more this time reduced to Simply

once more this time reduced to Simply once more this time reduced to Simply serving as the local city Garrison of serving as the local city Garrison of serving as the local city Garrison of Rome which as you'll recall put them Rome which as you'll recall put them Rome which as you'll recall put them nowhere near the Emperor or nowhere near the Emperor or nowhere near the Emperor or power but the office of petorian prefect power but the office of petorian prefect power but the office of petorian prefect was maintained for I guess sentimental was maintained for I guess sentimental was maintained for I guess sentimental reasons and Dian placed the prefect reasons and Dian placed the prefect reasons and Dian placed the prefect squarely at the top of his new bureaucracy in effect the prefect became bureaucracy in effect the prefect became a vice Emperor and it was his job to a vice Emperor and it was his job to a vice Emperor and it was his job to make sure that the vast new bureaucracy make sure that the vast new bureaucracy make sure that the vast new bureaucracy including the hundreds of staffers that including the hundreds of staffers that including the hundreds of staffers that he personally employed ran a SM smoothly he personally employed ran a SM smoothly he personally employed ran a SM smoothly as it as it as it could but even more than that his job could but even more than that his job could but even more than that his job was to share in the emperor's was to share in the emperor's was to share in the emperor's workload for most agenda items the workload for most agenda items the workload for most agenda items the signature of the prefect was just as signature of the prefect was just as signature of the prefect was just as good as the signature of the emperor good as the signature of the emperor good as the signature of the emperor which meant that twice as much could now which meant that twice as much could now which meant that twice as much could now be done in the same amount of be done in the same amount of be done in the same amount of time in the later part of his Reign time in the later part of his Reign time in the later part of his Reign Diocesan even went so far as to issue an Diocesan even went so far as to issue an Diocesan even went so far as to issue an edict stating that judicial decisions edict stating that judicial decisions edict stating that judicial decisions issued by the prefect were no longer issued by the prefect were no longer issued by the prefect were no longer appealable to the emperor you could appealable to the emperor you could appealable to the emperor you could appeal to the Emperor or you could appeal to the Emperor or you could appeal to the Emperor or you could appeal to the prefect but you couldn't appeal to the prefect but you couldn't appeal to the prefect but you couldn't do do do both the prefect was in short a really both the prefect was in short a really both the prefect was in short a really really powerful guy and not at all really powerful guy and not at all really powerful guy and not at all someone you wanted to mess with so those are the basics of the with so those are the basics of the bureaucracy imperial agents out in the bureaucracy imperial agents out in the bureaucracy imperial agents out in the field were answerable to the officials field were answerable to the officials field were answerable to the officials who ran the Regional Offices who were who ran the Regional Offices who were who ran the Regional Offices who were answerable to their superiors in the

answerable to their superiors in the answerable to their superiors in the cabinet Ministries who were answerable cabinet Ministries who were answerable cabinet Ministries who were answerable to the department heads who were to the department heads who were to the department heads who were answerable to the petorian prefect who answerable to the petorian prefect who answerable to the petorian prefect who was answerable to the was answerable to the was answerable to the emperor throw in the parallel and emperor throw in the parallel and emperor throw in the parallel and sometimes intertwined tracks that sometimes intertwined tracks that sometimes intertwined tracks that introduce provincial Governors and Vicor introduce provincial Governors and Vicor introduce provincial Governors and Vicor of the dioces and what you get is a of the dioces and what you get is a of the dioces and what you get is a hugely expanded centrally run civil hugely expanded centrally run civil hugely expanded centrally run civil service that now governed the whole service that now governed the whole service that now governed the whole empire with its own code of ethics empire with its own code of ethics empire with its own code of ethics standards and standards and standards and loyalties the famously ritualized and loyalties the famously ritualized and loyalties the famously ritualized and Labyrinth administrations that came to Labyrinth administrations that came to Labyrinth administrations that came to Define the Byzantine Empire and indeed Define the Byzantine Empire and indeed Define the Byzantine Empire and indeed gave rise to the adjective Byzantine to gave rise to the adjective Byzantine to gave rise to the adjective Byzantine to describe something so multi-layered describe something so multi-layered describe something so multi-layered overly complicated and self-perpetuating overly complicated and self-perpetuating overly complicated and self-perpetuating that it confounds the mind found its that it confounds the mind found its that it confounds the mind found its first form back here in the years of the first form back here in the years of the first form back here in the years of the tetrarchy as Diocesan sought to bring tetrarchy as Diocesan sought to bring tetrarchy as Diocesan sought to bring back adequate governance to the Empire the one thing we haven't really Empire the one thing we haven't really talked about though is perhaps dian's talked about though is perhaps dian's talked about though is perhaps dian's most famous reform of all the nature of most famous reform of all the nature of most famous reform of all the nature of the Imperial office the Imperial office the Imperial office itself I mentioned something about it itself I mentioned something about it itself I mentioned something about it when I was discussing Diocesan desire to when I was discussing Diocesan desire to when I was discussing Diocesan desire to rest his legitimacy on Divine Authority rest his legitimacy on Divine Authority rest his legitimacy on Divine Authority rather than the approval of the legions rather than the approval of the legions rather than the approval of the legions or the consent of the Senate but I or the consent of the Senate but I or the consent of the Senate but I didn't really talk about how it worked didn't really talk about how it worked didn't really talk about how it worked in practice how Diocesan on a daily in practice how Diocesan on a daily in practice how Diocesan on a daily basis transformed the principate into basis transformed the principate into basis transformed the principate into the dominant at its most basic level the

dominant at its most basic level the transformation took place on a physical transformation took place on a physical transformation took place on a physical level and it was from these physical level and it was from these physical level and it was from these physical changes that Diocesan expected the changes that Diocesan expected the changes that Diocesan expected the psychology of his subjects to psychology of his subjects to psychology of his subjects to shift first and foremost access to the shift first and foremost access to the shift first and foremost access to the emperor was severely emperor was severely emperor was severely restricted he was kept secluded behind restricted he was kept secluded behind restricted he was kept secluded behind doors and officials and guards and more doors and officials and guards and more doors and officials and guards and more doors and more officials and more guards doors and more officials and more guards doors and more officials and more guards and then long hallways and more doors and then long hallways and more doors and then long hallways and more doors until by the time you actually got to until by the time you actually got to until by the time you actually got to the emperor it was like like you were the emperor it was like like you were the emperor it was like like you were setting foot in some holy inner setting foot in some holy inner setting foot in some holy inner sanctum the principate had been sanctum the principate had been sanctum the principate had been predicated on a calculated intimacy with predicated on a calculated intimacy with predicated on a calculated intimacy with Emperors going out of their way to show Emperors going out of their way to show Emperors going out of their way to show that they were just one of the guys that they were just one of the guys that they were just one of the guys whether inviting Senators over for whether inviting Senators over for whether inviting Senators over for dinner or sharing in the hardships of dinner or sharing in the hardships of dinner or sharing in the hardships of the the the soldiers now it was the exact opposite soldiers now it was the exact opposite soldiers now it was the exact opposite with calculated aloofness creating the with calculated aloofness creating the with calculated aloofness creating the impression that the emperor was a near impression that the emperor was a near impression that the emperor was a near mythical mythical mythical figure Gibbon remarked that a Justice's figure Gibbon remarked that a Justice's figure Gibbon remarked that a Justice's model I sought to conceal the real power model I sought to conceal the real power model I sought to conceal the real power of the Emperors while Diocesan sought to of the Emperors while Diocesan sought to of the Emperors while Diocesan sought to display it and by keeping the emperor display it and by keeping the emperor display it and by keeping the emperor hidden from view the people's hidden from view the people's hidden from view the people's imaginations with regards to the extent imaginations with regards to the extent imaginations with regards to the extent of his almost Supernatural Powers began of his almost Supernatural Powers began of his almost Supernatural Powers began to run freely Beyond this there were dozens of freely Beyond this there were dozens of subtle shifts when the consist met all subtle shifts when the consist met all subtle shifts when the consist met all the ministers stood while the emperor the ministers stood while the emperor the ministers stood while the emperor remained seated

remained seated remained seated you'll recall that Julius Caesar's fate you'll recall that Julius Caesar's fate you'll recall that Julius Caesar's fate was practically sealed when he failed to was practically sealed when he failed to was practically sealed when he failed to rise to meet a delegation from the rise to meet a delegation from the rise to meet a delegation from the Senate so this was actually a pretty big Senate so this was actually a pretty big Senate so this was actually a pretty big deal upon meeting with the emperor it deal upon meeting with the emperor it deal upon meeting with the emperor it was expected that you kiss his robe as a was expected that you kiss his robe as a was expected that you kiss his robe as a sign of submission something that would sign of submission something that would sign of submission something that would have been absolutely offensive to the have been absolutely offensive to the have been absolutely offensive to the Romans of Romans of Romans of old but even more offensive might have old but even more offensive might have old but even more offensive might have been the reappearance of that universal been the reappearance of that universal been the reappearance of that universal symbol of Royal Authority the diadem symbol of Royal Authority the diadem symbol of Royal Authority the diadem which he took to wearing along with Rich which he took to wearing along with Rich which he took to wearing along with Rich and bejweled Royal and bejweled Royal and bejweled Royal robes the point of all this as I robes the point of all this as I robes the point of all this as I mentioned before was not so that mentioned before was not so that mentioned before was not so that Diocesan could indulge his vanity or his Diocesan could indulge his vanity or his Diocesan could indulge his vanity or his Megamania but so that he could impress Megamania but so that he could impress Megamania but so that he could impress upon his subjects that the emperor was upon his subjects that the emperor was upon his subjects that the emperor was indeed above and beyond them he indeed above and beyond them he indeed above and beyond them he literally shimmered in the light never literally shimmered in the light never literally shimmered in the light never rising from his throne as supplicants rising from his throne as supplicants rising from his throne as supplicants cautiously approached to kiss his cautiously approached to kiss his cautiously approached to kiss his robes the Empire needed a strong robes the Empire needed a strong robes the Empire needed a strong authority figure to reassert order over authority figure to reassert order over authority figure to reassert order over an Empire that had nearly come crashing an Empire that had nearly come crashing an Empire that had nearly come crashing down and Diocesan aimed to give it to down and Diocesan aimed to give it to down and Diocesan aimed to give it to them in them in them in Spades the emperor was no longer Spades the emperor was no longer Spades the emperor was no longer princeps the first citizen he was princeps the first citizen he was princeps the first citizen he was Dominus the lord of the Empire and there Dominus the lord of the Empire and there Dominus the lord of the Empire and there would be no going back taken together dian's reordering of back taken together dian's reordering of the governmental apparatus ushered in a the governmental apparatus ushered in a the governmental apparatus ushered in a whole new era for the Roman Empire and

whole new era for the Roman Empire and whole new era for the Roman Empire and did nothing less than set the stage for did nothing less than set the stage for did nothing less than set the stage for the Byzantine Empire that would carry on the Byzantine Empire that would carry on the Byzantine Empire that would carry on Rome's Legacy into the Middle Rome's Legacy into the Middle Rome's Legacy into the Middle Ages all pretense of public government Ages all pretense of public government Ages all pretense of public government had now been cast aside all claims of had now been cast aside all claims of had now been cast aside all claims of regional autonomy had now been cast regional autonomy had now been cast regional autonomy had now been cast aside and any hint that the emperor aside and any hint that the emperor aside and any hint that the emperor might not be some sort of demigod ruling might not be some sort of demigod ruling might not be some sort of demigod ruling from a Divine Palace in the sky had from a Divine Palace in the sky had from a Divine Palace in the sky had definitely been cast definitely been cast definitely been cast aside perhaps most importantly by aside perhaps most importantly by aside perhaps most importantly by abandoning Rome as the capital and abandoning Rome as the capital and abandoning Rome as the capital and reorganizing Italy as just another reorganizing Italy as just another reorganizing Italy as just another Province the Roman Empire was finally Province the Roman Empire was finally Province the Roman Empire was finally cut a drift from its Roman Heritage cut a drift from its Roman Heritage cut a drift from its Roman Heritage which is incidentally how the East was which is incidentally how the East was which is incidentally how the East was able to keep right on going even after able to keep right on going even after able to keep right on going even after Rome itself had fallen into Rome itself had fallen into Rome itself had fallen into barbarism the empire was now more than barbarism the empire was now more than barbarism the empire was now more than ever a single unit commanded from the ever a single unit commanded from the ever a single unit commanded from the center and functioning for the center and functioning for the center and functioning for the betterment of the whole without regard betterment of the whole without regard betterment of the whole without regard to tradition feelings or even private to tradition feelings or even private to tradition feelings or even private private private private interest no more was it first citizen interest no more was it first citizen interest no more was it first citizen and fellow citizens it was now ruler and and fellow citizens it was now ruler and and fellow citizens it was now ruler and ruled plain simple and laid bare for all ruled plain simple and laid bare for all ruled plain simple and laid bare for all to see next week we will see how much this see next week we will see how much this new Dynamic of ruler and ruled came to new Dynamic of ruler and ruled came to new Dynamic of ruler and ruled came to alter the daily lives of the citizens as alter the daily lives of the citizens as alter the daily lives of the citizens as Diocesan will seek to control not just Diocesan will seek to control not just Diocesan will seek to control not just the apparatus that govern them but the the apparatus that govern them but the the apparatus that govern them but the economy that they swam in and it was

economy that they swam in and it was economy that they swam in and it was here that he finally met his match here that he finally met his match here that he finally met his match because if there was one field Diocesan because if there was one field Diocesan because if there was one field Diocesan failed to master it was economics failed to master it was economics failed to master it was economics [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode episode episode 127 commanding the 127 commanding the 127 commanding the [Music] [Music] [Music] economy when Diocesan first came into economy when Diocesan first came into economy when Diocesan first came into office the Roman economy was pretty much office the Roman economy was pretty much office the Roman economy was pretty much much just limping along in the critical much just limping along in the critical much just limping along in the critical agricultural sector the combination of agricultural sector the combination of agricultural sector the combination of War plague and forced migration had left War plague and forced migration had left War plague and forced migration had left Rome with fewer people harvesting fewer Rome with fewer people harvesting fewer Rome with fewer people harvesting fewer crops from fewer functional crops from fewer functional crops from fewer functional farms in the less critical but still farms in the less critical but still farms in the less critical but still important Urban centers the hardships of important Urban centers the hardships of important Urban centers the hardships of the past 50 years had essentially the past 50 years had essentially the past 50 years had essentially brought construction trade skilled craft brought construction trade skilled craft brought construction trade skilled craft and banking to a and banking to a and banking to a standstill but as with everything else standstill but as with everything else standstill but as with everything else Diocesan was optimistic about the future Diocesan was optimistic about the future Diocesan was optimistic about the future he had big fancy plans for the economy

he had big fancy plans for the economy he had big fancy plans for the economy and turning it into what he wanted to and turning it into what he wanted to and turning it into what he wanted to turn everything into a rational turn everything into a rational turn everything into a rational centrally controlled mechanism that once centrally controlled mechanism that once centrally controlled mechanism that once organized properly would begin producing organized properly would begin producing organized properly would begin producing wealth for everyone in quantities not wealth for everyone in quantities not wealth for everyone in quantities not seen in seen in seen in years yes the problem of inflation would years yes the problem of inflation would years yes the problem of inflation would put a kink in his plans but Diocesan was put a kink in his plans but Diocesan was put a kink in his plans but Diocesan was determined to see the Roman economy determined to see the Roman economy determined to see the Roman economy reinvented and by the time he abdicated reinvented and by the time he abdicated reinvented and by the time he abdicated economic activity in the Empire had economic activity in the Empire had economic activity in the Empire had taken on an almost wholly different taken on an almost wholly different taken on an almost wholly different character from what it had been character from what it had been character from what it had been before part of the change was the result before part of the change was the result before part of the change was the result of the natural evolutionary forces of of the natural evolutionary forces of of the natural evolutionary forces of civilization but much of it was the civilization but much of it was the civilization but much of it was the result of the reforms Diocesan himself initiated just to give you an idea of initiated just to give you an idea of where we're going I want to talk today where we're going I want to talk today where we're going I want to talk today about four things the attempt to about four things the attempt to about four things the attempt to stabilize the currency the stabilize the currency the stabilize the currency the reorganization of the tax structure the reorganization of the tax structure the reorganization of the tax structure the calcification of professions and finally calcification of professions and finally calcification of professions and finally the edict on prices the edict on prices the edict on prices which though it achieved basically which though it achieved basically which though it achieved basically nothing is a fascinating bit of History nonetheless so yeah it has finally nonetheless so yeah it has finally happened years of misguided Imperial happened years of misguided Imperial happened years of misguided Imperial fiscal policy have finally ruined the fiscal policy have finally ruined the fiscal policy have finally ruined the currency of the Roman currency of the Roman currency of the Roman Empire by the 280s ad prices had begun Empire by the 280s ad prices had begun Empire by the 280s ad prices had begun to soar wages had become inadequate and to soar wages had become inadequate and to soar wages had become inadequate and savings were wiped out it was bound to savings were wiped out it was bound to savings were wiped out it was bound to happen as I mentioned for the sheer happen as I mentioned for the sheer happen as I mentioned for the sheer volume of Base metal coins flooding out

volume of Base metal coins flooding out volume of Base metal coins flooding out into circulation would eventually cause into circulation would eventually cause into circulation would eventually cause major problems for the Empire and it was major problems for the Empire and it was major problems for the Empire and it was during the reign of Diocesan that those during the reign of Diocesan that those during the reign of Diocesan that those chickens finally came home to chickens finally came home to chickens finally came home to roost which was a particularly maddening roost which was a particularly maddening roost which was a particularly maddening State of Affairs for the senior Augustus State of Affairs for the senior Augustus State of Affairs for the senior Augustus because in almost every other respect because in almost every other respect because in almost every other respect the empire was recovering from its brush the empire was recovering from its brush the empire was recovering from its brush with death but when it came to the money with death but when it came to the money with death but when it came to the money Not only was the wound not healing it Not only was the wound not healing it Not only was the wound not healing it had only just begun to bleed and no one had only just begun to bleed and no one had only just begun to bleed and no one knew how to stop it knew how to stop it knew how to stop it as with his predecessors Diocesan as with his predecessors Diocesan as with his predecessors Diocesan understood that there was something understood that there was something understood that there was something inherently dangerous about making the inherently dangerous about making the inherently dangerous about making the coins of the Empire literally less coins of the Empire literally less coins of the Empire literally less valuable of course that hadn't stopped valuable of course that hadn't stopped valuable of course that hadn't stopped his predecessors from going ahead and his predecessors from going ahead and his predecessors from going ahead and debasing the coins anyway but they all debasing the coins anyway but they all debasing the coins anyway but they all sort of grasped that they were playing sort of grasped that they were playing sort of grasped that they were playing with fire which is why debasement went with fire which is why debasement went with fire which is why debasement went on in on in on in secret aurelian had finally arrested the secret aurelian had finally arrested the secret aurelian had finally arrested the free fall and even turn back the tide a free fall and even turn back the tide a free fall and even turn back the tide a bit and Diocesan hoped to follow his bit and Diocesan hoped to follow his bit and Diocesan hoped to follow his lead and bring theur currency of the lead and bring theur currency of the lead and bring theur currency of the Roman Empire back into Roman Empire back into Roman Empire back into respectability to this end he ordered respectability to this end he ordered respectability to this end he ordered that a new hierarchy of five coins begin that a new hierarchy of five coins begin that a new hierarchy of five coins begin circulation immediately based on the old circulation immediately based on the old circulation immediately based on the old three metal three metal three metal system two copper coins and one silver system two copper coins and one silver system two copper coins and one silver copper mix coin for everyday copper mix coin for everyday copper mix coin for everyday transactions one nearly pure silver coin transactions one nearly pure silver coin transactions one nearly pure silver coin something which had not been seen in something which had not been seen in something which had not been seen in years for larger purposes and one years for larger purposes and one years for larger purposes and one high-grade gold coin reserved for major high-grade gold coin reserved for major high-grade gold coin reserved for major payments those usually coming from or payments those usually coming from or payments those usually coming from or going to the Imperial

going to the Imperial going to the Imperial government one of the side effects of government one of the side effects of government one of the side effects of debasement had been that cheap silver debasement had been that cheap silver debasement had been that cheap silver coins had pushed the more common copper coins had pushed the more common copper coins had pushed the more common copper coins the dollars and cents used on a coins the dollars and cents used on a coins the dollars and cents used on a daily basis by the population out of daily basis by the population out of daily basis by the population out of circulation which threw the whole system circulation which threw the whole system circulation which threw the whole system completely out of completely out of completely out of whack daian hoped that his new hierarchy whack daian hoped that his new hierarchy whack daian hoped that his new hierarchy would return balance to the system but would return balance to the system but would return balance to the system but unfortunately no dice this see while there is no denying dice this see while there is no denying that the coins Dian issued during this that the coins Dian issued during this that the coins Dian issued during this period were of far better quality than period were of far better quality than period were of far better quality than what had been released over the course what had been released over the course what had been released over the course of the preceding generation Dian was not of the preceding generation Dian was not of the preceding generation Dian was not practicing monetary policy in a practicing monetary policy in a practicing monetary policy in a vacuum had his new currency system been vacuum had his new currency system been vacuum had his new currency system been set up on a blank slate it probably set up on a blank slate it probably set up on a blank slate it probably would have worked would have worked would have worked great but the Roman Empire at the end of great but the Roman Empire at the end of great but the Roman Empire at the end of the 3rd century was anything but a blank the 3rd century was anything but a blank the 3rd century was anything but a blank slate there were just millions and slate there were just millions and slate there were just millions and millions of bad coins all already out millions of bad coins all already out millions of bad coins all already out there and given the shortage of precious there and given the shortage of precious there and given the shortage of precious metals and the exacting standards Dian metals and the exacting standards Dian metals and the exacting standards Dian was trying to reassert in the mints his was trying to reassert in the mints his was trying to reassert in the mints his new coins were simply unable to make a new coins were simply unable to make a new coins were simply unable to make a big enough impact to really curb big enough impact to really curb big enough impact to really curb inflation plus the Romans didn't really inflation plus the Romans didn't really inflation plus the Romans didn't really understand the root of the problem and understand the root of the problem and understand the root of the problem and so they missed what is today obvious to so they missed what is today obvious to so they missed what is today obvious to us it is not necessarily the intrinsic us it is not necessarily the intrinsic us it is not necessarily the intrinsic value of the coin that is important to value of the coin that is important to value of the coin that is important to setting prices it is rather the number setting prices it is rather the number setting prices it is rather the number of coins in circulation now the Romans weren't complete dummies

now the Romans weren't complete dummies they understood the basics of scarcity they understood the basics of scarcity they understood the basics of scarcity and abundance after all they lived and and abundance after all they lived and and abundance after all they lived and died each year with crop failures and died each year with crop failures and died each year with crop failures and bumper Harvest driving the prices of bumper Harvest driving the prices of bumper Harvest driving the prices of grain all over the map but they never grain all over the map but they never grain all over the map but they never made the leap to understanding that the made the leap to understanding that the made the leap to understanding that the same laws affect same laws affect same laws affect currency to the Romans currency was a currency to the Romans currency was a currency to the Romans currency was a stable element a coin was worth exactly stable element a coin was worth exactly stable element a coin was worth exactly what it was worth whether there were 500 what it was worth whether there were 500 what it was worth whether there were 500 in circulation or 5 Mill in circulation or 5 Mill in circulation or 5 Mill ion and the thing is for the most part ion and the thing is for the most part ion and the thing is for the most part that had been true in their that had been true in their that had been true in their experience the price of goods and the experience the price of goods and the experience the price of goods and the wages of workers and soldiers changed wages of workers and soldiers changed wages of workers and soldiers changed very little over the centuries in sharp very little over the centuries in sharp very little over the centuries in sharp contrast to our own experience of that contrast to our own experience of that contrast to our own experience of that trip to the movie costing more with each trip to the movie costing more with each trip to the movie costing more with each passing year so they just failed to passing year so they just failed to passing year so they just failed to grasp that the sheer tonnage of coins grasp that the sheer tonnage of coins grasp that the sheer tonnage of coins out in the marketplace was affecting the out in the marketplace was affecting the out in the marketplace was affecting the purchasing power of all those coins and purchasing power of all those coins and purchasing power of all those coins and here was Dian issuing even more coins here was Dian issuing even more coins here was Dian issuing even more coins better coins yes but still better coins yes but still better coins yes but still more and this is where the emperor and more and this is where the emperor and more and this is where the emperor and his advisers made their biggest mistake his advisers made their biggest mistake his advisers made their biggest mistake they did not call back in nearly enough they did not call back in nearly enough they did not call back in nearly enough of the old of the old of the old coins they cycled some out of coins they cycled some out of coins they cycled some out of circulation but if he really wanted the circulation but if he really wanted the circulation but if he really wanted the currency put back on sound footing currency put back on sound footing currency put back on sound footing Diocesan needed to put the recall of all Diocesan needed to put the recall of all Diocesan needed to put the recall of all the bad coins at the center of his the bad coins at the center of his the bad coins at the center of his policy and he just did not do policy and he just did not do policy and he just did not do it as a result his new five coin system it as a result his new five coin system it as a result his new five coin system while definitely introducing an element while definitely introducing an element while definitely introducing an element of stability failed to do what the of stability failed to do what the of stability failed to do what the emperor wanted it to

emperor wanted it to emperor wanted it to do and unfortunately he did not do and unfortunately he did not do and unfortunately he did not recognize that he had made this mistake recognize that he had made this mistake recognize that he had made this mistake so when inflation continued even after so when inflation continued even after so when inflation continued even after he launched his good coin policy he he launched his good coin policy he he launched his good coin policy he looked Elsewhere for the causes and as looked Elsewhere for the causes and as looked Elsewhere for the causes and as we'll see he wound up far a field we'll see he wound up far a field we'll see he wound up far a field blaming people places and things that blaming people places and things that blaming people places and things that had nothing at all to do with the real had nothing at all to do with the real had nothing at all to do with the real underlying issue as he waited patiently for the currency as he waited patiently for the currency to revalue itself and then watched to revalue itself and then watched to revalue itself and then watched helplessly as it did not Diocesan still helplessly as it did not Diocesan still helplessly as it did not Diocesan still had an Empire to pay for and he had an Empire to pay for and he had an Empire to pay for and he understood instinctively that he understood instinctively that he understood instinctively that he couldn't afford to rely on the cash couldn't afford to rely on the cash couldn't afford to rely on the cash anymore taxes paid in cash were anymore taxes paid in cash were anymore taxes paid in cash were worthless wages paid in cash were worthless wages paid in cash were worthless wages paid in cash were worthless if Dian was going to keep the worthless if Dian was going to keep the worthless if Dian was going to keep the Empire functioning and just to be clear Empire functioning and just to be clear Empire functioning and just to be clear when I'm talking about the Empire what I when I'm talking about the Empire what I when I'm talking about the Empire what I really mean is the army really mean is the army really mean is the army for the time being taxes and wages were for the time being taxes and wages were for the time being taxes and wages were going to have to be assessed and paid by going to have to be assessed and paid by going to have to be assessed and paid by some standard other than money something some standard other than money something some standard other than money something real and tangible or at least something real and tangible or at least something real and tangible or at least something that seemed real that seemed real that seemed real intangible for this Dian and his intangible for this Dian and his intangible for this Dian and his advisers concocted an elaborate and advisers concocted an elaborate and advisers concocted an elaborate and really ingenious new system to calculate really ingenious new system to calculate really ingenious new system to calculate Imperial revenue and Imperial expenses Imperial revenue and Imperial expenses Imperial revenue and Imperial expenses that cut out the middleman of cash and that cut out the middleman of cash and that cut out the middleman of cash and was based instead directly on the goods was based instead directly on the goods was based instead directly on the goods and services that money was supposed to and services that money was supposed to and services that money was supposed to be able to purchase the origins of dian's new purchase the origins of dian's new system of Taxation lay in the way the

system of Taxation lay in the way the system of Taxation lay in the way the Army had come to rely on forced Army had come to rely on forced Army had come to rely on forced requisition to supply itself during the requisition to supply itself during the requisition to supply itself during the latter part of the crisis latter part of the crisis latter part of the crisis years when times had been good and the years when times had been good and the years when times had been good and the money was sound everything was done on money was sound everything was done on money was sound everything was done on the up and up with the Army purchasing the up and up with the Army purchasing the up and up with the Army purchasing goods and services from contractors more goods and services from contractors more goods and services from contractors more than willing to do business with the than willing to do business with the than willing to do business with the legions when times got tougher the goods legions when times got tougher the goods legions when times got tougher the goods and services were still purchased by the and services were still purchased by the and services were still purchased by the Army but from far less willing Sellers Army but from far less willing Sellers Army but from far less willing Sellers and commanders often invoked a Proto and commanders often invoked a Proto and commanders often invoked a Proto version of today's eminent domain laws version of today's eminent domain laws version of today's eminent domain laws whereby in an emergency the sale of whereby in an emergency the sale of whereby in an emergency the sale of goods and services were compellable by goods and services were compellable by goods and services were compellable by law when times got really tough and the law when times got really tough and the law when times got really tough and the money had become a joke commanders no money had become a joke commanders no money had become a joke commanders no longer even bothered with the farce of longer even bothered with the farce of longer even bothered with the farce of compulsive transactions and simply took compulsive transactions and simply took compulsive transactions and simply took what they what they what they needed this new means of supplying needed this new means of supplying needed this new means of supplying themselves naturally changed the way themselves naturally changed the way themselves naturally changed the way that officers officers and soldiers were that officers officers and soldiers were that officers officers and soldiers were paid as money had simply stopped being a paid as money had simply stopped being a paid as money had simply stopped being a functional medium of functional medium of functional medium of exchange officers and soldiers were now exchange officers and soldiers were now exchange officers and soldiers were now paid in kind that is with the goods paid in kind that is with the goods paid in kind that is with the goods themselves rather than the money to themselves rather than the money to themselves rather than the money to purchase the purchase the purchase the goods grain shirts meat blankets shoes goods grain shirts meat blankets shoes goods grain shirts meat blankets shoes whatever was around that approximated whatever was around that approximated whatever was around that approximated what a man would have purchased had his what a man would have purchased had his what a man would have purchased had his money been worth money been worth money been worth anything it used to be that all of these anything it used to be that all of these anything it used to be that all of these items would have been deducted from a items would have been deducted from a items would have been deducted from a soldier's pay by the Quarter Master soldier's pay by the Quarter Master soldier's pay by the Quarter Master Master now they were the Master now they were the Master now they were the pay this was the army that Diocesan had pay this was the army that Diocesan had pay this was the army that Diocesan had spent the majority of his career in and

spent the majority of his career in and spent the majority of his career in and though it is clear he was no fan of though it is clear he was no fan of though it is clear he was no fan of forced requisition because of the damage forced requisition because of the damage forced requisition because of the damage it did to the bonds of Civil Society he it did to the bonds of Civil Society he it did to the bonds of Civil Society he understood that it was understood that it was understood that it was necessary when he became emperor then necessary when he became emperor then necessary when he became emperor then his ideas about how to extract resources his ideas about how to extract resources his ideas about how to extract resources from his subjects and how to pass them from his subjects and how to pass them from his subjects and how to pass them along to his soldiers was informed by along to his soldiers was informed by along to his soldiers was informed by his experience with this ad hoc system his experience with this ad hoc system his experience with this ad hoc system of re of re of re and in kind payment but it shouldn't and in kind payment but it shouldn't and in kind payment but it shouldn't surprise you to learn that the thing surprise you to learn that the thing surprise you to learn that the thing that bugged Dian the most about the that bugged Dian the most about the that bugged Dian the most about the system was how random arbitrary and system was how random arbitrary and system was how random arbitrary and untidy it all untidy it all untidy it all was so he set about to make the Empire's was so he set about to make the Empire's was so he set about to make the Empire's new tax structure less all those things in order to run a proper Army things in order to run a proper Army there were certain things a general there were certain things a general there were certain things a general learned by heart if he had a th men to learned by heart if he had a th men to learned by heart if he had a th men to feed clothe and shelter he knew exactly feed clothe and shelter he knew exactly feed clothe and shelter he knew exactly how much Timber he was going to need how how much Timber he was going to need how how much Timber he was going to need how much wine he was going to need how many much wine he was going to need how many much wine he was going to need how many horses he was going to need and how many horses he was going to need and how many horses he was going to need and how many boots he was going to need the Army in boots he was going to need the Army in boots he was going to need the Army in fact had this practically down to a fact had this practically down to a fact had this practically down to a science they knew down to the fraction science they knew down to the fraction science they knew down to the fraction of everything how much one soldier was of everything how much one soldier was of everything how much one soldier was going to add to their supply going to add to their supply going to add to their supply burden Diocesan simply took this burden Diocesan simply took this burden Diocesan simply took this understanding and blew it up to an understanding and blew it up to an understanding and blew it up to an empire-wide empire-wide empire-wide level since the money was no longer any level since the money was no longer any level since the money was no longer any good Dian just added up everything the good Dian just added up everything the good Dian just added up everything the Imperial government required to outfit Imperial government required to outfit Imperial government required to outfit its Army and bureaucracy for one year its Army and bureaucracy for one year its Army and bureaucracy for one year which is the very first annual budget in which is the very first annual budget in which is the very first annual budget in the Western World by the way and then the Western World by the way and then the Western World by the way and then ordered his subjects to supply him with

ordered his subjects to supply him with ordered his subjects to supply him with what he what he what he needed but of course the regions of the needed but of course the regions of the needed but of course the regions of the empire did not produce goods and empire did not produce goods and empire did not produce goods and services on a uniform basis one City May services on a uniform basis one City May services on a uniform basis one City May specialize in textile production with specialize in textile production with specialize in textile production with Nar a pig farmer in sight while another Nar a pig farmer in sight while another Nar a pig farmer in sight while another may have abundant wheat Fields but no may have abundant wheat Fields but no may have abundant wheat Fields but no brick works so you couldn't just divide brick works so you couldn't just divide brick works so you couldn't just divide up the list and demand everyone Pony up up the list and demand everyone Pony up up the list and demand everyone Pony up the same fractions of the same fractions of the same fractions of everything what Dian needed was a way of everything what Dian needed was a way of everything what Dian needed was a way of reducing what a man legally owed in reducing what a man legally owed in reducing what a man legally owed in taxes to some standard unit of taxes to some standard unit of taxes to some standard unit of measurement and exchange kind of like measurement and exchange kind of like measurement and exchange kind of like money except we can't use money because money except we can't use money because money except we can't use money because the money is no the money is no the money is no good so the answer was a new theoretical good so the answer was a new theoretical good so the answer was a new theoretical unit of exchange basically what the emperor and exchange basically what the emperor and his advisers did was take everything his advisers did was take everything his advisers did was take everything listed in the new annual budget and and listed in the new annual budget and and listed in the new annual budget and and make a giant equivalency chart to track make a giant equivalency chart to track make a giant equivalency chart to track the relative value of all the items so the relative value of all the items so the relative value of all the items so many bushels of wheat equals so many many bushels of wheat equals so many many bushels of wheat equals so many shirts equal so many miles of shirts equal so many miles of shirts equal so many miles of Transportation provided equals so many Transportation provided equals so many Transportation provided equals so many chickens and so chickens and so chickens and so on then they reduce the total of on then they reduce the total of on then they reduce the total of everything down to manageable fractions everything down to manageable fractions everything down to manageable fractions and use that as the basis for and use that as the basis for and use that as the basis for taxation so farmer guys who doesn't ow taxation so farmer guys who doesn't ow taxation so farmer guys who doesn't ow cash really anymore also doesn't owe cash really anymore also doesn't owe cash really anymore also doesn't owe half a shoe and 2/3 of a shirt and a half a shoe and 2/3 of a shirt and a half a shoe and 2/3 of a shirt and a quarter of a blank quarter of a blank quarter of a blank instead he owes five units of tax instead he owes five units of tax instead he owes five units of tax payable in whatever good or service he payable in whatever good or service he payable in whatever good or service he can most easily provide in this case can most easily provide in this case can most easily provide in this case probably bushels of

probably bushels of probably bushels of wheat mule driver puus on the other hand wheat mule driver puus on the other hand wheat mule driver puus on the other hand Pays His five units of tax by Pays His five units of tax by Pays His five units of tax by transporting some swords the Army needs transporting some swords the Army needs transporting some swords the Army needs from point A to point from point A to point from point A to point B there is an inherent danger of course B there is an inherent danger of course B there is an inherent danger of course in that well what if everyone satisfies in that well what if everyone satisfies in that well what if everyone satisfies their allotment of tax by paying in pigs their allotment of tax by paying in pigs their allotment of tax by paying in pigs but apparently it never came up but apparently it never came up but apparently it never came up and the diversification of the Empire's and the diversification of the Empire's and the diversification of the Empire's economy produced mostly of its own economy produced mostly of its own economy produced mostly of its own accord the supplies Diocesan demanded the other question then was how demanded the other question then was how do you assess how much a person is do you assess how much a person is do you assess how much a person is required to required to required to supply for this Diocesan turned to his supply for this Diocesan turned to his supply for this Diocesan turned to his newly enlarged newly enlarged newly enlarged bureaucracy they fanned out across the bureaucracy they fanned out across the bureaucracy they fanned out across the Empire and cataloged everything they Empire and cataloged everything they Empire and cataloged everything they counted every man woman child and slave counted every man woman child and slave counted every man woman child and slave they counted how many chickens you had they counted how many chickens you had they counted how many chickens you had and how many horses you had and how many and how many horses you had and how many and how many horses you had and how many acres you owned and what was being grown acres you owned and what was being grown acres you owned and what was being grown on them they noted your profession your on them they noted your profession your on them they noted your profession your skills your physical strength and they skills your physical strength and they skills your physical strength and they drew it all up on a ledger then they drew it all up on a ledger then they drew it all up on a ledger then they asked around to see if you were hiding asked around to see if you were hiding asked around to see if you were hiding anything once everything was cataloged anything once everything was cataloged anything once everything was cataloged the empire was reduced to two basic the empire was reduced to two basic the empire was reduced to two basic units Manpower and land which is how units Manpower and land which is how units Manpower and land which is how imperial agents determine what your imperial agents determine what your imperial agents determine what your share of the tax burden was going to share of the tax burden was going to share of the tax burden was going to be both units were calcul ated with some be both units were calcul ated with some be both units were calcul ated with some Nuance with women and children being Nuance with women and children being Nuance with women and children being counted for Less in the Manpower counted for Less in the Manpower counted for Less in the Manpower department and rich land being valued department and rich land being valued department and rich land being valued differently from poor land because differently from poor land because differently from poor land because Diocesan was actually sensitive to

Diocesan was actually sensitive to Diocesan was actually sensitive to matters of matters of matters of fairness as I said one of the problems fairness as I said one of the problems fairness as I said one of the problems he had with forced requisition was that he had with forced requisition was that he had with forced requisition was that it was arbitrary and cruel so Diocesan it was arbitrary and cruel so Diocesan it was arbitrary and cruel so Diocesan really was trying to put in place a really was trying to put in place a really was trying to put in place a system that would take a man's system that would take a man's system that would take a man's particular circumstances into account particular circumstances into account particular circumstances into account rather than just laying some blanket rather than just laying some blanket rather than just laying some blanket levy on his head whether his 10 acres levy on his head whether his 10 acres levy on his head whether his 10 acres were prize Vineyards or a Rocky Mountain were prize Vineyards or a Rocky Mountain were prize Vineyards or a Rocky Mountain Side so this is how it worked then and Side so this is how it worked then and Side so this is how it worked then and I'll just make some numbers up here I'll just make some numbers up here I'll just make some numbers up here let's say your city has 500 units of let's say your city has 500 units of let's say your city has 500 units of land and 200 units of Manpower well land and 200 units of Manpower well land and 200 units of Manpower well according to our calculations you according to our calculations you according to our calculations you collectively owe 75 units of tax you can collectively owe 75 units of tax you can collectively owe 75 units of tax you can pay with whatever you've got shirts pay with whatever you've got shirts pay with whatever you've got shirts bricks Timber pigs just make sure that bricks Timber pigs just make sure that bricks Timber pigs just make sure that we get it payable in threeyear we get it payable in threeyear we get it payable in threeyear installments to account for spoilage installments to account for spoilage installments to account for spoilage thank you and see you next thank you and see you next thank you and see you next year daan's solution was an ingenious year daan's solution was an ingenious year daan's solution was an ingenious way to get around the inflation issue way to get around the inflation issue way to get around the inflation issue and in no time the empire was reaping and in no time the empire was reaping and in no time the empire was reaping tax Harvest like the good old tax Harvest like the good old tax Harvest like the good old days well more even than the good old days well more even than the good old days well more even than the good old days back in its various Golden Ages days back in its various Golden Ages days back in its various Golden Ages Rome had actually been pretty loose Rome had actually been pretty loose Rome had actually been pretty loose about taxes as long as enough was coming about taxes as long as enough was coming about taxes as long as enough was coming in they never really questioned whether in they never really questioned whether in they never really questioned whether there was more to be had or whether they there was more to be had or whether they there was more to be had or whether they could be explored in their empire more could be explored in their empire more could be explored in their empire more efficiently but after systematically efficiently but after systematically efficiently but after systematically cataloging every single thing in the cataloging every single thing in the cataloging every single thing in the Empire and then applying a uniform Empire and then applying a uniform Empire and then applying a uniform system of collection Diocesan was able

system of collection Diocesan was able system of collection Diocesan was able to extract resources from his subjects to extract resources from his subjects to extract resources from his subjects at a previously unimagined at a previously unimagined at a previously unimagined level he didn't take everything of level he didn't take everything of level he didn't take everything of course that would have been course that would have been course that would have been counterproductive Diocesan kept to counterproductive Diocesan kept to counterproductive Diocesan kept to Tiberius is old Maxim that the Sheep Tiberius is old Maxim that the Sheep Tiberius is old Maxim that the Sheep must be shorn and not skinned but he now must be shorn and not skinned but he now must be shorn and not skinned but he now had a far more exact idea of how close had a far more exact idea of how close had a far more exact idea of how close he could get without skinning the he could get without skinning the he could get without skinning the Sheep unfortunately his successors would Sheep unfortunately his successors would Sheep unfortunately his successors would not be so exact a problem that we will not be so exact a problem that we will not be so exact a problem that we will get to in future episodes but in his attempt to mobilize episodes but in his attempt to mobilize the resources of the Empire as quickly the resources of the Empire as quickly the resources of the Empire as quickly and efficiently as possible Dian did not and efficiently as possible Dian did not and efficiently as possible Dian did not stop with tax stop with tax stop with tax policy he also inserted the Imperial policy he also inserted the Imperial policy he also inserted the Imperial government directly into the economy in government directly into the economy in government directly into the economy in ways that had never been seen ways that had never been seen ways that had never been seen before as I mentioned last week Diocesan before as I mentioned last week Diocesan before as I mentioned last week Diocesan wanted the Empire to function as one wanted the Empire to function as one wanted the Empire to function as one unified mechanism to maximize its power unified mechanism to maximize its power unified mechanism to maximize its power but that did not mean just paying but that did not mean just paying but that did not mean just paying attention to the big stuff it also meant attention to the big stuff it also meant attention to the big stuff it also meant ensuring that all the little screws and ensuring that all the little screws and ensuring that all the little screws and cogs and springs were where they needed cogs and springs were where they needed cogs and springs were where they needed to be doing what they needed to do in to be doing what they needed to do in to be doing what they needed to do in other words the free market is about to other words the free market is about to other words the free market is about to become a lot less free the rigid tentacles of the state free the rigid tentacles of the state first worked their way into the economy first worked their way into the economy first worked their way into the economy by way of the trade guilds and from by way of the trade guilds and from by way of the trade guilds and from there extended themselves until they there extended themselves until they there extended themselves until they touched every man woman and child in the touched every man woman and child in the touched every man woman and child in the Empire Diocesan was not insensible to

Empire Diocesan was not insensible to Empire Diocesan was not insensible to the danger that his new tax system would the danger that his new tax system would the danger that his new tax system would fall apart if everyone paid in pigs and fall apart if everyone paid in pigs and fall apart if everyone paid in pigs and he was well aware that the chaos of the he was well aware that the chaos of the he was well aware that the chaos of the previous decades had caused massive previous decades had caused massive previous decades had caused massive population upheavals and severe shifts population upheavals and severe shifts population upheavals and severe shifts in the economic output of whole swaths in the economic output of whole swaths in the economic output of whole swaths of the empire of the empire of the empire in other words if he wasn't careful the in other words if he wasn't careful the in other words if he wasn't careful the Diversified economy Diocesan needed to Diversified economy Diocesan needed to Diversified economy Diocesan needed to make his new tax system work would make his new tax system work would make his new tax system work would collapse down into a few subsistence collapse down into a few subsistence collapse down into a few subsistence Industries with everything else being Industries with everything else being Industries with everything else being abandoned as an unsustainable abandoned as an unsustainable abandoned as an unsustainable luxury worse yet many of the jobs that luxury worse yet many of the jobs that luxury worse yet many of the jobs that needed doing were not at all happy fun needed doing were not at all happy fun needed doing were not at all happy fun jobs what if young puus son of puus the jobs what if young puus son of puus the jobs what if young puus son of puus the mule driver decides that he doesn't want mule driver decides that he doesn't want mule driver decides that he doesn't want to follow in his Father's Footsteps what to follow in his Father's Footsteps what to follow in his Father's Footsteps what if all the sons of all the mule drivers if all the sons of all the mule drivers if all the sons of all the mule drivers decide that pretty soon there will be no decide that pretty soon there will be no decide that pretty soon there will be no mule drivers mule drivers mule drivers left it is entirely likely that had he left it is entirely likely that had he left it is entirely likely that had he not gotten into it everything would have not gotten into it everything would have not gotten into it everything would have worked out fine but Diocesan was never worked out fine but Diocesan was never worked out fine but Diocesan was never one to not get into something as I just said it started with something as I just said it started with the trade guilts one of the first to be the trade guilts one of the first to be the trade guilts one of the first to be enveloped was the Guild of shippers who enveloped was the Guild of shippers who enveloped was the Guild of shippers who brought the grain from Africa to brought the grain from Africa to brought the grain from Africa to Italy after doing business with the Italy after doing business with the Italy after doing business with the empire for centuries as an independent empire for centuries as an independent empire for centuries as an independent Corporation daian simply took it over Corporation daian simply took it over Corporation daian simply took it over and declared the guild and arm of the and declared the guild and arm of the and declared the guild and arm of the government and then took over wages and government and then took over wages and government and then took over wages and prices then it said that if you wanted prices then it said that if you wanted prices then it said that if you wanted to ship anything into Italy you had to

to ship anything into Italy you had to to ship anything into Italy you had to join the government's Guild and oh yeah join the government's Guild and oh yeah join the government's Guild and oh yeah once you've joined you can't once you've joined you can't once you've joined you can't resign he followed that same pattern resign he followed that same pattern resign he followed that same pattern with everyone brick makers cobblers with everyone brick makers cobblers with everyone brick makers cobblers Architects whoever wherever there was a Architects whoever wherever there was a Architects whoever wherever there was a voluntary Association of professionals voluntary Association of professionals voluntary Association of professionals Dian would come in co-opt it make it Dian would come in co-opt it make it Dian would come in co-opt it make it compulsory and then make it hereditary this process was amongst the hereditary this process was amongst the most gradual of his career but by the most gradual of his career but by the most gradual of his career but by the time Diocesan abdicated most of the time Diocesan abdicated most of the time Diocesan abdicated most of the Empire's citizens were attached to some Empire's citizens were attached to some Empire's citizens were attached to some sort of imperially mandated Guild that sort of imperially mandated Guild that sort of imperially mandated Guild that compelled them to keep the job they had compelled them to keep the job they had compelled them to keep the job they had been doing and it further compelled been doing and it further compelled been doing and it further compelled their sons to join the guild and then their sons to join the guild and then their sons to join the guild and then their sons to join the guild after that their sons to join the guild after that their sons to join the guild after that so if by some random chance you were a so if by some random chance you were a so if by some random chance you were a Tanner in the late 3rd Century that Tanner in the late 3rd Century that Tanner in the late 3rd Century that meant that your family was now forever meant that your family was now forever meant that your family was now forever Tanners same for potters and teachers Tanners same for potters and teachers Tanners same for potters and teachers and fishermen and of course same for and fishermen and of course same for and fishermen and of course same for Farmers on top of everything else you Farmers on top of everything else you Farmers on top of everything else you weren't even allowed to move anymore weren't even allowed to move anymore weren't even allowed to move anymore without permission even if you plan to without permission even if you plan to without permission even if you plan to keep the same job because daian didn't keep the same job because daian didn't keep the same job because daian didn't want Industries to die off in a given want Industries to die off in a given want Industries to die off in a given City due to unplanned population City due to unplanned population City due to unplanned population migrations migrations migrations if you think this sounds an awful lot if you think this sounds an awful lot if you think this sounds an awful lot like the beginnings of medieval serfdom like the beginnings of medieval serfdom like the beginnings of medieval serfdom then gold star for you we are right now then gold star for you we are right now then gold star for you we are right now transitioning away from the Roman Empire transitioning away from the Roman Empire transitioning away from the Roman Empire of old and into pre feudal of old and into pre feudal of old and into pre feudal society Diocesan was the author of a lot

society Diocesan was the author of a lot society Diocesan was the author of a lot of what defines the next thousand years of what defines the next thousand years of what defines the next thousand years of of of History he did it as a response to the History he did it as a response to the History he did it as a response to the particular economic necessities of his particular economic necessities of his particular economic necessities of his day but once it all took root it really day but once it all took root it really day but once it all took root it really took root one thing he did that most definitely one thing he did that most definitely did not take rote is the last thing I did not take rote is the last thing I did not take rote is the last thing I want to talk about today the infamous want to talk about today the infamous want to talk about today the infamous edict on maximum prices which edict on maximum prices which edict on maximum prices which represented dian's last Furious attempt represented dian's last Furious attempt represented dian's last Furious attempt to put a stop to inflationary to put a stop to inflationary to put a stop to inflationary prices I don't want to spend too much prices I don't want to spend too much prices I don't want to spend too much time on it because well it was more or time on it because well it was more or time on it because well it was more or less abandoned an hour and a half after less abandoned an hour and a half after less abandoned an hour and a half after it was issued but still it is a it was issued but still it is a it was issued but still it is a fascinating little piece of history that fascinating little piece of history that fascinating little piece of history that deserves some attention for no other deserves some attention for no other deserves some attention for no other reason than it lets us know that the reason than it lets us know that the reason than it lets us know that the Romans had three kinds of beer panonian Romans had three kinds of beer panonian Romans had three kinds of beer panonian Celtic and Egyptian and that the Celtic and Egyptian and that the Celtic and Egyptian and that the Egyptian kind was considered half as Egyptian kind was considered half as Egyptian kind was considered half as good as the other two because apparently good as the other two because apparently good as the other two because apparently Egyptian beer was the Schlitz of the Egyptian beer was the Schlitz of the Egyptian beer was the Schlitz of the ancient world after 16 years on the throne world after 16 years on the throne inflation continued to ravage the Empire inflation continued to ravage the Empire inflation continued to ravage the Empire and nothing Diocesan did seemed to even and nothing Diocesan did seemed to even and nothing Diocesan did seemed to even slow it down slow it down slow it down though his tax structure had been mostly though his tax structure had been mostly though his tax structure had been mostly taken off the gold silver copper taken off the gold silver copper taken off the gold silver copper standard there was no getting away from standard there was no getting away from standard there was no getting away from currency completely and it drove daian currency completely and it drove daian currency completely and it drove daian crazy that he could never ensure that crazy that he could never ensure that crazy that he could never ensure that wages kept up with prices especially wages kept up with prices especially wages kept up with prices especially when it came to his when it came to his when it came to his soldiers paid to risk their lives in

soldiers paid to risk their lives in soldiers paid to risk their lives in defense of the Empire Dian was outraged defense of the Empire Dian was outraged defense of the Empire Dian was outraged every time he heard of a soldier being every time he heard of a soldier being every time he heard of a soldier being forced to drop a whole Year's pay on a forced to drop a whole Year's pay on a forced to drop a whole Year's pay on a single single single shirt price gouging and war profiteering shirt price gouging and war profiteering shirt price gouging and war profiteering was nothing new but things had gotten was nothing new but things had gotten was nothing new but things had gotten ridiculous and Diocesan decided that the ridiculous and Diocesan decided that the ridiculous and Diocesan decided that the main culprits were the evil no good main culprits were the evil no good main culprits were the evil no good Merchants who were taking advantage of Merchants who were taking advantage of Merchants who were taking advantage of the the the situation they were thieving the life situation they were thieving the life situation they were thieving the life savings of good honest hardworking savings of good honest hardworking savings of good honest hardworking soldiers and it had to soldiers and it had to soldiers and it had to stop in 301 Diocesan had finally had stop in 301 Diocesan had finally had stop in 301 Diocesan had finally had enough and he issued in typical dianic enough and he issued in typical dianic enough and he issued in typical dianic fashion an encyclopedic edict divided fashion an encyclopedic edict divided fashion an encyclopedic edict divided into 32 sections breaking down into 32 sections breaking down into 32 sections breaking down practically every single thing that practically every single thing that practically every single thing that could be bought and sold and then could be bought and sold and then could be bought and sold and then setting a maximum price for setting a maximum price for setting a maximum price for it the emperor was careful to note that it the emperor was careful to note that it the emperor was careful to note that he was not setting the price he was only he was not setting the price he was only he was not setting the price he was only setting the maximum price if you wanted setting the maximum price if you wanted setting the maximum price if you wanted to charge less that was your prerogative to charge less that was your prerogative to charge less that was your prerogative just don't charge more if you charged just don't charge more if you charged just don't charge more if you charged more the edict was crystal clear in the more the edict was crystal clear in the more the edict was crystal clear in the consequences of your consequences of your consequences of your greed death greed death greed death of course even with the death penalty of course even with the death penalty of course even with the death penalty hanging over their heads no one paid any hanging over their heads no one paid any hanging over their heads no one paid any attention to the edict no one had any attention to the edict no one had any attention to the edict no one had any motivation to turn anyone in for motivation to turn anyone in for motivation to turn anyone in for violating it and everyone paid the going violating it and everyone paid the going violating it and everyone paid the going rate for everything just as usually rate for everything just as usually rate for everything just as usually happens when Draconian price controls happens when Draconian price controls happens when Draconian price controls are put into are put into are put into effect but nonetheless the edict was

effect but nonetheless the edict was effect but nonetheless the edict was carved in stone and posted all over the carved in stone and posted all over the carved in stone and posted all over the Empire so we get to learn fascinating Empire so we get to learn fascinating Empire so we get to learn fascinating things about what an idealized version things about what an idealized version things about what an idealized version of Roman economic values looks like of Roman economic values looks like of Roman economic values looks like per day Farm laborers made 25 dinari a per day Farm laborers made 25 dinari a per day Farm laborers made 25 dinari a day compared to the 50 earned by a day compared to the 50 earned by a day compared to the 50 earned by a stonemason or a cabinet stonemason or a cabinet stonemason or a cabinet maker there were seven kinds of wine all maker there were seven kinds of wine all maker there were seven kinds of wine all listed at 30 dinari each and one listed listed at 30 dinari each and one listed listed at 30 dinari each and one listed as simply ordinary wine which sold for as simply ordinary wine which sold for as simply ordinary wine which sold for just just just 16 aged wine actually lowered the price 16 aged wine actually lowered the price 16 aged wine actually lowered the price as each of the seven more expensive as each of the seven more expensive as each of the seven more expensive varieties dropped to 24 dinari once it varieties dropped to 24 dinari once it varieties dropped to 24 dinari once it was a year old a lawyer could make a was a year old a lawyer could make a was a year old a lawyer could make a th000 dinari for pleading a case and 250 th000 dinari for pleading a case and 250 th000 dinari for pleading a case and 250 just for filing the opening just for filing the opening just for filing the opening paperwork our old friend pu is the mule paperwork our old friend pu is the mule paperwork our old friend pu is the mule driver would have made with maintenance driver would have made with maintenance driver would have made with maintenance 25 dinari per day or four dinari per 25 dinari per day or four dinari per 25 dinari per day or four dinari per mile for one mule load of mile for one mule load of mile for one mule load of goods every kind of grain seed or Bean goods every kind of grain seed or Bean goods every kind of grain seed or Bean you can think of gets its due price as you can think of gets its due price as you can think of gets its due price as does every kind of shoe boot sandal and does every kind of shoe boot sandal and does every kind of shoe boot sandal and shirt shirt shirt imaginable famously the most expensive imaginable famously the most expensive imaginable famously the most expensive item listed is one pound of purple dyed item listed is one pound of purple dyed item listed is one pound of purple dyed silk which a merchant was not allowed to silk which a merchant was not allowed to silk which a merchant was not allowed to charge more than charge more than charge more than 150,000 dinari for and since the only 150,000 dinari for and since the only 150,000 dinari for and since the only person who was probably buying purple person who was probably buying purple person who was probably buying purple dyed silk by the pound was the emperor dyed silk by the pound was the emperor dyed silk by the pound was the emperor himself i' would wager to guess that it himself i' would wager to guess that it himself i' would wager to guess that it was maybe one of the few items that was maybe one of the few items that was maybe one of the few items that actually went for the price

listed as I said the edict was quietly listed as I said the edict was quietly abandoned just a few years after it was abandoned just a few years after it was abandoned just a few years after it was issued and many historians believe that issued and many historians believe that issued and many historians believe that maximian and constantius never even got maximian and constantius never even got maximian and constantius never even got around to announcing it because they around to announcing it because they around to announcing it because they recognized what a terribly unenforceable recognized what a terribly unenforceable recognized what a terribly unenforceable idea it idea it idea it was but for a while there wherever was but for a while there wherever was but for a while there wherever Diocesan went so went the price edict Diocesan went so went the price edict Diocesan went so went the price edict until even he began to recognize that he until even he began to recognize that he until even he began to recognize that he was tilting at was tilting at was tilting at windmills that was right around the time windmills that was right around the time windmills that was right around the time he decided to retire not that the two he decided to retire not that the two he decided to retire not that the two are in any way connected with that I'll bring to a connected with that I'll bring to a close our brief little tour through close our brief little tour through close our brief little tour through dian's dian's dian's reforms we've seen the Deep Impact he reforms we've seen the Deep Impact he reforms we've seen the Deep Impact he had on the military the government and had on the military the government and had on the military the government and the economy and in many respects he was the economy and in many respects he was the economy and in many respects he was as transformative a figure as Rome had as transformative a figure as Rome had as transformative a figure as Rome had ever ever ever known the Empire Diocesan inherited was known the Empire Diocesan inherited was known the Empire Diocesan inherited was not the same one he bequeathed to his not the same one he bequeathed to his not the same one he bequeathed to his successors and perhaps even more successors and perhaps even more successors and perhaps even more importantly the answer to the age-old importantly the answer to the age-old importantly the answer to the age-old question are you better off now than you question are you better off now than you question are you better off now than you were four years ago was almost were four years ago was almost were four years ago was almost everywhere a resounding everywhere a resounding everywhere a resounding yes which is to say that there is yes which is to say that there is yes which is to say that there is nothing at all that prevents us from nothing at all that prevents us from nothing at all that prevents us from Comfortably placing Diocesan among the Comfortably placing Diocesan among the Comfortably placing Diocesan among the top five Emperors of all top five Emperors of all top five Emperors of all time next week though we'll start to get time next week though we'll start to get time next week though we'll start to get into why we can't put him at the very into why we can't put him at the very into why we can't put him at the very top of the pile and some of the Curious top of the pile and some of the Curious top of the pile and some of the Curious moves he made at the end of his Reign moves he made at the end of his Reign moves he made at the end of his Reign that damaged the stability of the Empire that damaged the stability of the Empire that damaged the stability of the Empire stability that he had worked so hard to

stability that he had worked so hard to stability that he had worked so hard to establish so that when he handed the establish so that when he handed the establish so that when he handed the Reigns of power off his successors were Reigns of power off his successors were Reigns of power off his successors were more than able and more than willing to more than able and more than willing to more than able and more than willing to take Rome right back into the snake pit take Rome right back into the snake pit take Rome right back into the snake pit of Civil War of Civil War of Civil War [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 128 the great Rome episode 128 the great Rome episode 128 the great [Music] [Music] [Music] persecution as we've seen over the persecution as we've seen over the persecution as we've seen over the course of the past few episodes the course of the past few episodes the course of the past few episodes the first 15 years of dian's Reign first 15 years of dian's Reign first 15 years of dian's Reign represented a sea change for the Roman represented a sea change for the Roman represented a sea change for the Roman Empire some of the reforms he initiated Empire some of the reforms he initiated Empire some of the reforms he initiated were embraced as long overdue While were embraced as long overdue While were embraced as long overdue While others were fought tooth and nail every others were fought tooth and nail every others were fought tooth and nail every step of the way for example the step of the way for example the step of the way for example the uprisings in Egypt triggered by the uprisings in Egypt triggered by the uprisings in Egypt triggered by the Crackdown on tax Crackdown on tax Crackdown on tax evaders some of his reforms did not evaders some of his reforms did not evaders some of his reforms did not Outlast his Reign While others became Outlast his Reign While others became Outlast his Reign While others became the entrenched status quo for a thousand the entrenched status quo for a thousand the entrenched status quo for a thousand years or more While others like the years or more While others like the years or more While others like the price edict never even got off the price edict never even got off the price edict never even got off the ground but all in all there is no ground but all in all there is no ground but all in all there is no question that Diocesan had taken an

question that Diocesan had taken an question that Diocesan had taken an Empire that was a drift and placed it Empire that was a drift and placed it Empire that was a drift and placed it back On Solid ground and impressively he back On Solid ground and impressively he back On Solid ground and impressively he had done all this with a minimum of had done all this with a minimum of had done all this with a minimum of ill-advised ill-advised ill-advised screw-ups that is dowan sometimes screw-ups that is dowan sometimes screw-ups that is dowan sometimes pursued policies that were disruptive pursued policies that were disruptive pursued policies that were disruptive and sometimes he pursued policies that and sometimes he pursued policies that and sometimes he pursued policies that wound up producing no tangible benefits wound up producing no tangible benefits wound up producing no tangible benefits but he almost never pursued policies but he almost never pursued policies but he almost never pursued policies that were both at the same time I think that were both at the same time I think that were both at the same time I think it's fair to say that this week we will it's fair to say that this week we will it's fair to say that this week we will see him pursue a policy that was both in see him pursue a policy that was both in see him pursue a policy that was both in Spades and ironically for all that daian Spades and ironically for all that daian Spades and ironically for all that daian did right it was this thing he did wrong did right it was this thing he did wrong did right it was this thing he did wrong that wound up changing the world more that wound up changing the world more that wound up changing the world more than anything else the trouble started in 299 ad not else the trouble started in 299 ad not long after garius returned to Antioch in long after garius returned to Antioch in long after garius returned to Antioch in Triumph having just defeated the Triumph having just defeated the Triumph having just defeated the CIT Diocesan and garus were together in CIT Diocesan and garus were together in CIT Diocesan and garus were together in the Imperial residence and decided to the Imperial residence and decided to the Imperial residence and decided to have some divinations taken to find out have some divinations taken to find out have some divinations taken to find out what the future looked like from a what the future looked like from a what the future looked like from a metaphysical point of view but every metaphysical point of view but every metaphysical point of view but every time the priest reached in to inspect time the priest reached in to inspect time the priest reached in to inspect the entrails of a sacrificial animal the entrails of a sacrificial animal the entrails of a sacrificial animal he announced that something had gone he announced that something had gone he announced that something had gone wrong something was preventing him from wrong something was preventing him from wrong something was preventing him from getting a proper reading after enduring getting a proper reading after enduring getting a proper reading after enduring attempt after attempt it was finally attempt after attempt it was finally attempt after attempt it was finally brought to dian's attention that certain brought to dian's attention that certain brought to dian's attention that certain members of the household staff were members of the household staff were members of the household staff were Christian and that they had been seen Christian and that they had been seen Christian and that they had been seen making the sign of the cross to ward off making the sign of the cross to ward off making the sign of the cross to ward off evil demons aka the God's Diocesan was evil demons aka the God's Diocesan was evil demons aka the God's Diocesan was trying to contact in other words these trying to contact in other words these trying to contact in other words these Christians were intentionally sabotaging Christians were intentionally sabotaging Christians were intentionally sabotaging the emperor's divinations

the emperor's divinations the emperor's divinations daian was Furious and immediately daian was Furious and immediately daian was Furious and immediately ordered all members of his household to ordered all members of his household to ordered all members of his household to make a sacrifice to the gods and if they make a sacrifice to the gods and if they make a sacrifice to the gods and if they refused they were to be fired then egged refused they were to be fired then egged refused they were to be fired then egged on by garius and a few other staunchly on by garius and a few other staunchly on by garius and a few other staunchly anti-christian advisers he extended his anti-christian advisers he extended his anti-christian advisers he extended his order to the Army every officer and order to the Army every officer and order to the Army every officer and soldier in the legions was to make a soldier in the legions was to make a soldier in the legions was to make a sacrifice refusal meant immediate discharge Diocesan was at heart a deeply discharge Diocesan was at heart a deeply conservative man who was trying to conservative man who was trying to conservative man who was trying to restore the glory of the Roman Empire restore the glory of the Roman Empire restore the glory of the Roman Empire his desire to connect Imperial authority his desire to connect Imperial authority his desire to connect Imperial authority to Jupiter and the other Olympian gods to Jupiter and the other Olympian gods to Jupiter and the other Olympian gods was for him not necessarily just cynical was for him not necessarily just cynical was for him not necessarily just cynical propaganda he very much wanted to get propaganda he very much wanted to get propaganda he very much wanted to get Rome back on the side of the Gods who Rome back on the side of the Gods who Rome back on the side of the Gods who had made the Empire great and he spent had made the Empire great and he spent had made the Empire great and he spent lavishly on temples and sacrifices and lavishly on temples and sacrifices and lavishly on temples and sacrifices and memorials throughout the provinces to memorials throughout the provinces to memorials throughout the provinces to help make that help make that help make that happen now following the reasoning of happen now following the reasoning of happen now following the reasoning of deus Diocesan began to suspect that the deus Diocesan began to suspect that the deus Diocesan began to suspect that the continued existence of the antisocial continued existence of the antisocial continued existence of the antisocial impious and sacriligious Christians was impious and sacriligious Christians was impious and sacriligious Christians was doing serious damage to the relationship doing serious damage to the relationship doing serious damage to the relationship between Rome and her between Rome and her between Rome and her Gods so he began to suspect that it was Gods so he began to suspect that it was Gods so he began to suspect that it was time for them to go but he was also at time for them to go but he was also at time for them to go but he was also at heart a deeply pragmatic man and heart a deeply pragmatic man and heart a deeply pragmatic man and widescale religious purges can rarely be widescale religious purges can rarely be widescale religious purges can rarely be filed under P for filed under P for filed under P for pragmatic so with his religious pragmatic so with his religious pragmatic so with his religious conservatism coming into conflict with conservatism coming into conflict with conservatism coming into conflict with his political pragmatism

his political pragmatism his political pragmatism Diocesan turned to his advisers for well Diocesan turned to his advisers for well Diocesan turned to his advisers for well advice with garius taking the lead they advice with garius taking the lead they advice with garius taking the lead they came back to him with the nearly came back to him with the nearly came back to him with the nearly unanimous conclusion that in this case unanimous conclusion that in this case unanimous conclusion that in this case his religious instincts must take his religious instincts must take his religious instincts must take precedence Christianity needed to be precedence Christianity needed to be precedence Christianity needed to be stamped out once and for all we have up until this point only all we have up until this point only dealt with the Christians in passing dealt with the Christians in passing dealt with the Christians in passing usually as they intersected with usually as they intersected with usually as they intersected with Imperial Affairs like when when Nero Imperial Affairs like when when Nero Imperial Affairs like when when Nero blamed them for the great fire or when blamed them for the great fire or when blamed them for the great fire or when plenty asked Tran what to do about plenty asked Tran what to do about plenty asked Tran what to do about them but since Christianity is about to them but since Christianity is about to them but since Christianity is about to become one of the core defining elements become one of the core defining elements become one of the core defining elements of the Roman Empire I think I should of the Roman Empire I think I should of the Roman Empire I think I should probably take this moment to give a probably take this moment to give a probably take this moment to give a brief thumbnail sketch of the first 300 brief thumbnail sketch of the first 300 brief thumbnail sketch of the first 300 years of the church so we can get a feel years of the church so we can get a feel years of the church so we can get a feel for what it is exactly Diocesan is about for what it is exactly Diocesan is about for what it is exactly Diocesan is about to try to stamp out and what it is to try to stamp out and what it is to try to stamp out and what it is exactly that in just a few years will exactly that in just a few years will exactly that in just a few years will become the most powerful non-imperial become the most powerful non-imperial become the most powerful non-imperial institution in the Empire institution in the Empire institution in the Empire Now by way of disclaimer I'd like to say Now by way of disclaimer I'd like to say Now by way of disclaimer I'd like to say that I am not a church historian and I'm that I am not a church historian and I'm that I am not a church historian and I'm not going to delve deeply into the not going to delve deeply into the not going to delve deeply into the Myriad little controversies about say Myriad little controversies about say Myriad little controversies about say who wrote what gospels when why and how who wrote what gospels when why and how who wrote what gospels when why and how I just want to give a general overview I just want to give a general overview I just want to give a general overview of how Christianity developed where it of how Christianity developed where it of how Christianity developed where it developed and what it developed into developed and what it developed into developed and what it developed into over the course of its first three over the course of its first three over the course of its first three centuries I afraid that at times my centuries I afraid that at times my centuries I afraid that at times my vocabulary will be imprecise but I hope vocabulary will be imprecise but I hope vocabulary will be imprecise but I hope that no one will find too much to argue

that no one will find too much to argue that no one will find too much to argue with in the broad Strokes so as I'm sure you are no doubt Strokes so as I'm sure you are no doubt aware it is said that around 30 ad a aware it is said that around 30 ad a aware it is said that around 30 ad a Jewish holy Man from Nazareth named Jewish holy Man from Nazareth named Jewish holy Man from Nazareth named Jesus was put to death by Pontius Pilate Jesus was put to death by Pontius Pilate Jesus was put to death by Pontius Pilate the Roman governor of the Roman governor of the Roman governor of Judea over the course of his brief Judea over the course of his brief Judea over the course of his brief career as a preacher three years being career as a preacher three years being career as a preacher three years being the longest estimate I've seen Jesus had the longest estimate I've seen Jesus had the longest estimate I've seen Jesus had won over a small band of adherence known won over a small band of adherence known won over a small band of adherence known as the disciples and had earned Fame as the disciples and had earned Fame as the disciples and had earned Fame throughout Galilee for his non-tradition throughout Galilee for his non-tradition throughout Galilee for his non-tradition interpretations of Jewish scripture and interpretations of Jewish scripture and interpretations of Jewish scripture and his potential for miracle his potential for miracle his potential for miracle working he eventually ran a foul of the working he eventually ran a foul of the working he eventually ran a foul of the Jewish religious authorities and when he Jewish religious authorities and when he Jewish religious authorities and when he arrived in Jerusalem for Passover the arrived in Jerusalem for Passover the arrived in Jerusalem for Passover the exact year is unknown he was arrested by exact year is unknown he was arrested by exact year is unknown he was arrested by Roman authorities either on sacriligious Roman authorities either on sacriligious Roman authorities either on sacriligious or revolutionary grounds he was found or revolutionary grounds he was found or revolutionary grounds he was found guilty of whatever crime he was charged guilty of whatever crime he was charged guilty of whatever crime he was charged with and crucified a few days later with and crucified a few days later with and crucified a few days later which most people no doubt figured was which most people no doubt figured was which most people no doubt figured was the end of the ministry of the end of the ministry of the end of the ministry of Jesus but the Disciples of Jesus were Jesus but the Disciples of Jesus were Jesus but the Disciples of Jesus were not ready to abandon their Leader's not ready to abandon their Leader's not ready to abandon their Leader's message they continued to meet and message they continued to meet and message they continued to meet and worship as he had instructed them to do worship as he had instructed them to do worship as he had instructed them to do and continued to convert their fellow and continued to convert their fellow and continued to convert their fellow Jews to their way of Jews to their way of Jews to their way of life the early church was focused on life the early church was focused on life the early church was focused on Jesus's role as the prophesized Jewish Jesus's role as the prophesized Jewish Jesus's role as the prophesized Jewish Messiah and that per his teachings he Messiah and that per his teachings he Messiah and that per his teachings he would soon return from the dead to would soon return from the dead to would soon return from the dead to oversee an apocalypse that would pave oversee an apocalypse that would pave oversee an apocalypse that would pave the way for the establishment of the the way for the establishment of the the way for the establishment of the kingdom of God on kingdom of God on kingdom of God on Earth the early Christians expected this Earth the early Christians expected this Earth the early Christians expected this second coming at any moment and live second coming at any moment and live second coming at any moment and live their lives accordingly but as the years

their lives accordingly but as the years their lives accordingly but as the years passed and Jesus did not return the passed and Jesus did not return the passed and Jesus did not return the imminency of the second coming was imminency of the second coming was imminency of the second coming was emphasized less and other more immediate emphasized less and other more immediate emphasized less and other more immediate concerns began to demand the attention concerns began to demand the attention concerns began to demand the attention of the Christian leadership the first major concern for leadership the first major concern for the growing church was the question of the growing church was the question of the growing church was the question of the Gentiles that is non-israelites the Gentiles that is non-israelites the Gentiles that is non-israelites initially Christianity was an initially Christianity was an initially Christianity was an exclusively Jewish sect every Christian exclusively Jewish sect every Christian exclusively Jewish sect every Christian was a practicing Jew was a practicing Jew was a practicing Jew they just happened to believe in a few they just happened to believe in a few they just happened to believe in a few extra things that were not believed by extra things that were not believed by extra things that were not believed by mainstream mainstream mainstream Judaism but as the first generation of Judaism but as the first generation of Judaism but as the first generation of disciples went out into the wider Greco disciples went out into the wider Greco disciples went out into the wider Greco Roman World they often found willing Roman World they often found willing Roman World they often found willing non-jewish non-jewish non-jewish adherence so are they allowed to be adherence so are they allowed to be adherence so are they allowed to be Christian or what some Christian leaders Christian or what some Christian leaders Christian or what some Christian leaders said yes and others said said yes and others said said yes and others said no as you probably already know though no as you probably already know though no as you probably already know though the drive to allow for Gentile the drive to allow for Gentile the drive to allow for Gentile conversion was driven by St Paul and his conversion was driven by St Paul and his conversion was driven by St Paul and his point of view eventually won out point of view eventually won out point of view eventually won out traditionally the first Gentile traditionally the first Gentile traditionally the first Gentile Christian was a centurion named Christian was a centurion named Christian was a centurion named Cornelius who was baptized by St Peter Cornelius who was baptized by St Peter Cornelius who was baptized by St Peter himself though that is one of those himself though that is one of those himself though that is one of those Myriad little controversies that I am Myriad little controversies that I am Myriad little controversies that I am not going to wait not going to wait not going to wait into the question of whether into the question of whether into the question of whether Christianity should retain its strictly Christianity should retain its strictly Christianity should retain its strictly Jewish character was answered early in Jewish character was answered early in Jewish character was answered early in the negative but that question was the negative but that question was the negative but that question was merely the opening Salvo in a long merely the opening Salvo in a long merely the opening Salvo in a long running Christian debate about the running Christian debate about the running Christian debate about the nature of their nature of their nature of their religion that is whether the church religion that is whether the church religion that is whether the church ought to be composed of a select few who

ought to be composed of a select few who ought to be composed of a select few who were pure in their faith and utterly were pure in their faith and utterly were pure in their faith and utterly devoted in Life or whether it should devoted in Life or whether it should devoted in Life or whether it should make a play at becoming the universal make a play at becoming the universal make a play at becoming the universal religion of the world which would religion of the world which would religion of the world which would inevitably involve clearing away most of inevitably involve clearing away most of inevitably involve clearing away most of the barriers to entry into the the barriers to entry into the the barriers to entry into the church at the very beginning it was church at the very beginning it was church at the very beginning it was understood that you had to be understood that you had to be understood that you had to be circumcised in order to be a true circumcised in order to be a true circumcised in order to be a true Christian but that barrier was quickly Christian but that barrier was quickly Christian but that barrier was quickly dropped to allow for Gentile adherence dropped to allow for Gentile adherence dropped to allow for Gentile adherence what other barrier should be Dr dropped what other barrier should be Dr dropped what other barrier should be Dr dropped what barriers could not be what barriers could not be what barriers could not be dropped though that initial question was dropped though that initial question was dropped though that initial question was resolved the tension between big tent resolved the tension between big tent resolved the tension between big tent and small tent Christians would never go and small tent Christians would never go and small tent Christians would never go away and every generation some new away and every generation some new away and every generation some new controversy would flare up that pitted controversy would flare up that pitted controversy would flare up that pitted purists against expansionist the second century saw the expansionist the second century saw the passing away of the original disciples passing away of the original disciples passing away of the original disciples and gospel writers and the rise of an and gospel writers and the rise of an and gospel writers and the rise of an independent Christianity with its own independent Christianity with its own independent Christianity with its own hierarchy of command separ from all hierarchy of command separ from all hierarchy of command separ from all other religions in the other religions in the other religions in the Empire up until the great Jewish Revolt Empire up until the great Jewish Revolt Empire up until the great Jewish Revolt Jerusalem had naturally acted as the de Jerusalem had naturally acted as the de Jerusalem had naturally acted as the de facto capital of Christianity since it facto capital of Christianity since it facto capital of Christianity since it was after all a Jewish sect but after was after all a Jewish sect but after was after all a Jewish sect but after Jerusalem fell in 70 AD the church began Jerusalem fell in 70 AD the church began Jerusalem fell in 70 AD the church began to separate itself permanently from to separate itself permanently from to separate itself permanently from Judaism culminating most visibly in the Judaism culminating most visibly in the Judaism culminating most visibly in the Christian refusal to join in the third Christian refusal to join in the third Christian refusal to join in the third Jewish War of the 130s Jewish War of the 130s Jewish War of the 130s ad the Romans themselves by that point ad the Romans themselves by that point ad the Romans themselves by that point had already determined the two relig had already determined the two relig had already determined the two relig were separate and a tax edict issued by were separate and a tax edict issued by were separate and a tax edict issued by nerva explicitly denies to Christians

nerva explicitly denies to Christians nerva explicitly denies to Christians the special exemptions enjoyed by the the special exemptions enjoyed by the the special exemptions enjoyed by the Jews see the Romans like people to get Jews see the Romans like people to get Jews see the Romans like people to get on board with the Roman way of doing on board with the Roman way of doing on board with the Roman way of doing things and the Jews had always given things and the Jews had always given things and the Jews had always given them trouble on that front but the them trouble on that front but the them trouble on that front but the Romans were also deeply impressed with Romans were also deeply impressed with Romans were also deeply impressed with the sheer ancientness of Judaism and so the sheer ancientness of Judaism and so the sheer ancientness of Judaism and so more or less let the Jews conform to more or less let the Jews conform to more or less let the Jews conform to Roman rule in their own Roman rule in their own Roman rule in their own way but the Christians were recognized way but the Christians were recognized way but the Christians were recognized ized as a new fangled thing owed no such ized as a new fangled thing owed no such ized as a new fangled thing owed no such Defence Jesus's Church which had once Defence Jesus's Church which had once Defence Jesus's Church which had once been just a little sect of Judaism was been just a little sect of Judaism was been just a little sect of Judaism was now for better for worse its own now for better for worse its own now for better for worse its own independent thing the other major consequence of the thing the other major consequence of the sack of Jerusalem is that the Christian sack of Jerusalem is that the Christian sack of Jerusalem is that the Christian Movement also became far more Movement also became far more Movement also became far more decentralized with Jerusalem out of the decentralized with Jerusalem out of the decentralized with Jerusalem out of the picture the local leadership of each of picture the local leadership of each of picture the local leadership of each of the Christian centers now took command the Christian centers now took command the Christian centers now took command of their parishes and ran them as they of their parishes and ran them as they of their parishes and ran them as they saw saw saw fit ironically though just as the church fit ironically though just as the church fit ironically though just as the church as a whole was becoming less centralized as a whole was becoming less centralized as a whole was becoming less centralized the chain of command at the local level the chain of command at the local level the chain of command at the local level was becoming more was becoming more was becoming more centralized over the years the centralized over the years the centralized over the years the Christians developed a system whereby Christians developed a system whereby Christians developed a system whereby each City had its own chain of authority each City had its own chain of authority each City had its own chain of authority with deacons at the lowest rung doing with deacons at the lowest rung doing with deacons at the lowest rung doing the daily work of tending to the sick the daily work of tending to the sick the daily work of tending to the sick and poor the next run of prors who would and poor the next run of prors who would and poor the next run of prors who would become today's priests acting as a sort become today's priests acting as a sort become today's priests acting as a sort of governing Council and at the top the of governing Council and at the top the of governing Council and at the top the bishop who was the supreme religious bishop who was the supreme religious bishop who was the supreme religious Authority in his district which usually

Authority in his district which usually Authority in his district which usually meant that he issued clarifications on meant that he issued clarifications on meant that he issued clarifications on the differences between a true and a the differences between a true and a the differences between a true and a false false false teaching naturally the Bishops of the teaching naturally the Bishops of the teaching naturally the Bishops of the largest cities Rome Antioch and largest cities Rome Antioch and largest cities Rome Antioch and Alexandria came to an exert an extra bit Alexandria came to an exert an extra bit Alexandria came to an exert an extra bit of authority over their surrounding of authority over their surrounding of authority over their surrounding territories and the bishop of Rome in territories and the bishop of Rome in territories and the bishop of Rome in particular claimed a higher authority particular claimed a higher authority particular claimed a higher authority even than that both because he sat in even than that both because he sat in even than that both because he sat in the capital of the Empire and and the capital of the Empire and and the capital of the Empire and and because his seat had been founded by St because his seat had been founded by St because his seat had been founded by St Peter Peter Peter himself but if you'd like to enjoy an himself but if you'd like to enjoy an himself but if you'd like to enjoy an entertaining conion fit just ask the entertaining conion fit just ask the entertaining conion fit just ask the bishop of Alexandria what he thinks bishop of Alexandria what he thinks bishop of Alexandria what he thinks about the Primacy of Peter since the main role of the bishop Peter since the main role of the bishop was to establish the difference between was to establish the difference between was to establish the difference between what was a true and what was a false what was a true and what was a false what was a true and what was a false teaching we must ask the question then teaching we must ask the question then teaching we must ask the question then what happened when the Bishops disagreed what happened when the Bishops disagreed what happened when the Bishops disagreed with each other and that my friends is with each other and that my friends is with each other and that my friends is the $10,000 question of early Christian the $10,000 question of early Christian the $10,000 question of early Christian history The Church was not some sort of history The Church was not some sort of history The Church was not some sort of hive mind and the various Bishops hive mind and the various Bishops hive mind and the various Bishops disagreed with each other frequently disagreed with each other frequently disagreed with each other frequently passionately and sometimes violently passionately and sometimes violently passionately and sometimes violently about almost everything under the about almost everything under the about almost everything under the sun and these were serious disagreements sun and these were serious disagreements sun and these were serious disagreements this was not I think what that guy over this was not I think what that guy over this was not I think what that guy over there is teaching is true and you think there is teaching is true and you think there is teaching is true and you think what that guy over there is teaching is what that guy over there is teaching is what that guy over there is teaching is false it was rather I think what I am false it was rather I think what I am false it was rather I think what I am teaching is true teaching is true teaching is true and I think that what you are teaching and I think that what you are teaching and I think that what you are teaching is is is false excommunications and counter

false excommunications and counter false excommunications and counter excommunications began to proliferate excommunications began to proliferate excommunications began to proliferate and sometimes succession to a major and sometimes succession to a major and sometimes succession to a major bishoprick began to look like succession bishoprick began to look like succession bishoprick began to look like succession to the Imperial throne with supporters to the Imperial throne with supporters to the Imperial throne with supporters of the new bishop purging supporters of of the new bishop purging supporters of of the new bishop purging supporters of the old Bishop stripping them of their the old Bishop stripping them of their the old Bishop stripping them of their priesthoods and kicking them out of the priesthoods and kicking them out of the priesthoods and kicking them out of the church only to have the whole drama play church only to have the whole drama play church only to have the whole drama play out in reverse a few years later it is out in reverse a few years later it is out in reverse a few years later it is truly a wonder that Christianity managed truly a wonder that Christianity managed truly a wonder that Christianity managed to maintain any sort of cohesion at all to maintain any sort of cohesion at all to maintain any sort of cohesion at all during this during this during this period but enough of the Bishops had period but enough of the Bishops had period but enough of the Bishops had enough of an interest in preventing a enough of an interest in preventing a enough of an interest in preventing a major Schism that they would meet in major Schism that they would meet in major Schism that they would meet in councils Summits really and hash out councils Summits really and hash out councils Summits really and hash out their differences Force each other to their differences Force each other to their differences Force each other to compromise and try to put these compromise and try to put these compromise and try to put these controversies to rest but just as one controversies to rest but just as one controversies to rest but just as one issue was put to bed another would pop issue was put to bed another would pop issue was put to bed another would pop up threatening a split all over again up threatening a split all over again up threatening a split all over again and we haven't even gotten to the really and we haven't even gotten to the really and we haven't even gotten to the really big controversies of the 3rd and fourth big controversies of the 3rd and fourth big controversies of the 3rd and fourth centur CES yet the third century was as tumultuous yet the third century was as tumultuous for the Christians as it was for for the Christians as it was for for the Christians as it was for everyone else though Christianity had everyone else though Christianity had everyone else though Christianity had always been an outlaw religion and had always been an outlaw religion and had always been an outlaw religion and had found itself the victim of periodic found itself the victim of periodic found itself the victim of periodic local persecutions in Rome under Nero in local persecutions in Rome under Nero in local persecutions in Rome under Nero in Gul during the reign of Marcus aelius Gul during the reign of Marcus aelius Gul during the reign of Marcus aelius and so on Imperial policy rarely took and so on Imperial policy rarely took and so on Imperial policy rarely took notice of them Tran's advice to plenty notice of them Tran's advice to plenty notice of them Tran's advice to plenty that he ought to ignore the Christians that he ought to ignore the Christians that he ought to ignore the Christians unless they did something really wrong unless they did something really wrong unless they did something really wrong seemed to be standard operating seemed to be standard operating seemed to be standard operating procedure but as the empire fell into procedure but as the empire fell into procedure but as the empire fell into chaos the Christians for the first time chaos the Christians for the first time chaos the Christians for the first time felt the sting of coordinated Imperial

felt the sting of coordinated Imperial felt the sting of coordinated Imperial attack maximinus thra ordered the first attack maximinus thra ordered the first attack maximinus thra ordered the first major attack on Christianity though he major attack on Christianity though he major attack on Christianity though he limited the scope of his persecutions to limited the scope of his persecutions to limited the scope of his persecutions to the Bishops 15 years later attempting to the Bishops 15 years later attempting to the Bishops 15 years later attempting to get Rome back on the right side of the get Rome back on the right side of the get Rome back on the right side of the Gods Deus broadened the scope of Gods Deus broadened the scope of Gods Deus broadened the scope of persecution to include all Christians persecution to include all Christians persecution to include all Christians which not only resulted in confiscations which not only resulted in confiscations which not only resulted in confiscations and executions across the Empire but and executions across the Empire but and executions across the Empire but also a major split within the church also a major split within the church also a major split within the church between leaders who advocated compliance between leaders who advocated compliance between leaders who advocated compliance and those particularly in North Africa and those particularly in North Africa and those particularly in North Africa who advocated who advocated who advocated resistance the latter would eventually resistance the latter would eventually resistance the latter would eventually be shouted down and declared heretical be shouted down and declared heretical be shouted down and declared heretical when the DCM persecutions was over but when the DCM persecutions was over but when the DCM persecutions was over but this episode foreshadowed The later this episode foreshadowed The later this episode foreshadowed The later larger fight with the donatists who larger fight with the donatists who larger fight with the donatists who advocated similar resistance to dian's advocated similar resistance to dian's advocated similar resistance to dian's persecutions or more accurately persecutions or more accurately persecutions or more accurately resistance to those who acqu yes to resistance to those who acqu yes to resistance to those who acqu yes to them but just as it seemed like things them but just as it seemed like things them but just as it seemed like things were going from bad to worse for the were going from bad to worse for the were going from bad to worse for the Christians the empire was falling apart Christians the empire was falling apart Christians the empire was falling apart and the Emperors were now specifically and the Emperors were now specifically and the Emperors were now specifically targeting them for harassment targeting them for harassment targeting them for harassment Christianity suddenly enjoyed an Christianity suddenly enjoyed an Christianity suddenly enjoyed an unprecedented run of growth and unprecedented run of growth and unprecedented run of growth and acceptance galenus canel the DCM acceptance galenus canel the DCM acceptance galenus canel the DCM persecution on the grounds that it was persecution on the grounds that it was persecution on the grounds that it was unnecessary and unjust and the yyan unnecessary and unjust and the yyan unnecessary and unjust and the yyan Emperors had way more important things Emperors had way more important things Emperors had way more important things on their minds so from 260 tell about on their minds so from 260 tell about on their minds so from 260 tell about 300 the stigma attached to Christianity 300 the stigma attached to Christianity 300 the stigma attached to Christianity was was was muted so much so that the religion that muted so much so that the religion that muted so much so that the religion that had once been derided as a religion of

had once been derided as a religion of had once been derided as a religion of women and slaves now counted amongst its women and slaves now counted amongst its women and slaves now counted amongst its number wealthy and influential men number wealthy and influential men number wealthy and influential men slaves were now joined by their masters slaves were now joined by their masters slaves were now joined by their masters wives were now joined by their husbands wives were now joined by their husbands wives were now joined by their husbands common Soldiers by their officers the common Soldiers by their officers the common Soldiers by their officers the poor by the poor by the poor by the rich churches cease to be little HS rich churches cease to be little HS rich churches cease to be little HS hidden away deep in the Maze of an inner hidden away deep in the Maze of an inner hidden away deep in the Maze of an inner city city city and were now being built right out in and were now being built right out in and were now being built right out in the the the open by 300 ad in fact a church sat on a open by 300 ad in fact a church sat on a open by 300 ad in fact a church sat on a hill in nicomedia overlooking the hill in nicomedia overlooking the hill in nicomedia overlooking the Imperial Imperial Imperial Palace Christians were still in the Palace Christians were still in the Palace Christians were still in the minority by a substantial margin across minority by a substantial margin across minority by a substantial margin across the Empire but they were estimated by the Empire but they were estimated by the Empire but they were estimated by this point to account for about 10% of this point to account for about 10% of this point to account for about 10% of the population which was nothing to the population which was nothing to the population which was nothing to sneeze sneeze sneeze at over the course of the past three at over the course of the past three at over the course of the past three centuries the little sect of heretical centuries the little sect of heretical centuries the little sect of heretical Jews led by a Messianic holy Man from Jews led by a Messianic holy Man from Jews led by a Messianic holy Man from Nazareth had grown to be the largest Nazareth had grown to be the largest Nazareth had grown to be the largest monotheistic religion in the Empire and monotheistic religion in the Empire and monotheistic religion in the Empire and a social force with real a social force with real a social force with real teeth which is perhaps what troubled teeth which is perhaps what troubled teeth which is perhaps what troubled Diocesan advisers the most of all the Myriad differences most of all the Myriad differences between Christians and pagans perhaps no between Christians and pagans perhaps no between Christians and pagans perhaps no single difference loomed larger in the single difference loomed larger in the single difference loomed larger in the minds of Imperial authorities than just minds of Imperial authorities than just minds of Imperial authorities than just how structured Christianity how structured Christianity how structured Christianity was yes the church functioned was yes the church functioned was yes the church functioned politically more as a loose oligarchy of politically more as a loose oligarchy of politically more as a loose oligarchy of Bishops than as some unified Bishops than as some unified Bishops than as some unified autocracy but still no Pagan cult could autocracy but still no Pagan cult could autocracy but still no Pagan cult could come close to matching the empire-wide come close to matching the empire-wide come close to matching the empire-wide network of institutionalized Authority

network of institutionalized Authority network of institutionalized Authority that Christianity that Christianity that Christianity boasted it was nothing less than a boasted it was nothing less than a boasted it was nothing less than a parallel command structure to the state parallel command structure to the state parallel command structure to the state and if you listen to Christian rhetoric and if you listen to Christian rhetoric and if you listen to Christian rhetoric for any length of time you would find for any length of time you would find for any length of time you would find that most of them believe that their that most of them believe that their that most of them believe that their command structure actually superseded command structure actually superseded command structure actually superseded the states Render unto Caesar what is the states Render unto Caesar what is the states Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's Caesar's Caesar's notwithstanding the fact that roughly notwithstanding the fact that roughly notwithstanding the fact that roughly 10% of the population was now Christian 10% of the population was now Christian 10% of the population was now Christian and adhered to that command structure and adhered to that command structure and adhered to that command structure scared the hell out of many in the scared the hell out of many in the scared the hell out of many in the government plus that 9010 split is a bit government plus that 9010 split is a bit government plus that 9010 split is a bit misleading because Christianity was misleading because Christianity was misleading because Christianity was still clustered in the cities at this still clustered in the cities at this still clustered in the cities at this point so their minority share seemed not point so their minority share seemed not point so their minority share seemed not much larger to government officials much larger to government officials much larger to government officials living in those same cities coupled with genuine fears of cities coupled with genuine fears of organized Revolution there was also the organized Revolution there was also the organized Revolution there was also the fact that the church was beginning to fact that the church was beginning to fact that the church was beginning to raise funds in unprecedented sums as raise funds in unprecedented sums as raise funds in unprecedented sums as wealthy patrons began to Render unto God wealthy patrons began to Render unto God wealthy patrons began to Render unto God whatever they weren't rendering unto whatever they weren't rendering unto whatever they weren't rendering unto Caesar so when we ask the question why Caesar so when we ask the question why Caesar so when we ask the question why were Diocesan advisers so keen on taking were Diocesan advisers so keen on taking were Diocesan advisers so keen on taking the Christians out the answer the Christians out the answer the Christians out the answer essentially boils down to protection of essentially boils down to protection of essentially boils down to protection of the status quo they were amongst the the status quo they were amongst the the status quo they were amongst the greatest beneficiaries of it and the greatest beneficiaries of it and the greatest beneficiaries of it and the Christians were amongst the greatest Christians were amongst the greatest Christians were amongst the greatest threats to it so this is all mostly a threats to it so this is all mostly a threats to it so this is all mostly a case of entrenched power making a case of entrenched power making a case of entrenched power making a preemptive strike against a potential rival but following the initial Purge of

rival but following the initial Purge of the Imperial household and the Army the Imperial household and the Army the Imperial household and the Army tempers cooled some The Purge of the tempers cooled some The Purge of the tempers cooled some The Purge of the army was in fact unevenly enforced at army was in fact unevenly enforced at army was in fact unevenly enforced at best and it wasn't until the winter of best and it wasn't until the winter of best and it wasn't until the winter of 302 303 that things really got rolling 302 303 that things really got rolling 302 303 that things really got rolling again not that Dian hadn't been gearing again not that Dian hadn't been gearing again not that Dian hadn't been gearing up for the fight fight in the meantime up for the fight fight in the meantime up for the fight fight in the meantime in 301 he had visited Egypt and in 301 he had visited Egypt and in 301 he had visited Egypt and encountered problems with the manans a encountered problems with the manans a encountered problems with the manans a religion similar to Christianity both in religion similar to Christianity both in religion similar to Christianity both in substance and organization which had substance and organization which had substance and organization which had become a hot bed for resistance to become a hot bed for resistance to become a hot bed for resistance to Imperial Imperial Imperial Authority dioclesian was additionally Authority dioclesian was additionally Authority dioclesian was additionally troubled by the manans because their troubled by the manans because their troubled by the manans because their religion originated in Persia and religion originated in Persia and religion originated in Persia and members still had close ties to their members still had close ties to their members still had close ties to their brethren in the East meaning that they brethren in the East meaning that they brethren in the East meaning that they looked to daian a lot like a CIT align looked to daian a lot like a CIT align looked to daian a lot like a CIT align fifth column so the manans were fifth column so the manans were fifth column so the manans were ruthlessly suppressed executions Exiles ruthlessly suppressed executions Exiles ruthlessly suppressed executions Exiles confiscations and destruction of confiscations and destruction of confiscations and destruction of scripture in effect a dry run for the scripture in effect a dry run for the scripture in effect a dry run for the great persecution of Christians that was great persecution of Christians that was great persecution of Christians that was coming down the shoot daian and garius were in nicomedia shoot daian and garius were in nicomedia over the winter of over the winter of over the winter of 30233 when things finally got 30233 when things finally got 30233 when things finally got going the Emperors had attempted to get going the Emperors had attempted to get going the Emperors had attempted to get a pronouncement on something or other a pronouncement on something or other a pronouncement on something or other from an oracle of Apollo but the Oracle from an oracle of Apollo but the Oracle from an oracle of Apollo but the Oracle instead announced that the quote impious instead announced that the quote impious instead announced that the quote impious on Earth were preventing him from on Earth were preventing him from on Earth were preventing him from connecting with the connecting with the connecting with the gods Diocesan huddled with his counsel gods Diocesan huddled with his counsel gods Diocesan huddled with his counsel to determine what this meant and they to determine what this meant and they to determine what this meant and they were of one mind it meant that the gods

were of one mind it meant that the gods were of one mind it meant that the gods were angry at Rome for tolerating the were angry at Rome for tolerating the were angry at Rome for tolerating the Christians I should mention at this Christians I should mention at this Christians I should mention at this point that it is widely believed that by point that it is widely believed that by point that it is widely believed that by now garus was taking more of a lead in now garus was taking more of a lead in now garus was taking more of a lead in Imperial policy and as a fierce Imperial policy and as a fierce Imperial policy and as a fierce anti-christian that he was actually the anti-christian that he was actually the anti-christian that he was actually the driving force behind all of this at its driving force behind all of this at its driving force behind all of this at its most all-encompassing the blame garius most all-encompassing the blame garius most all-encompassing the blame garius for everything theory contends that the for everything theory contends that the for everything theory contends that the junior Emperor arranged for The Botch junior Emperor arranged for The Botch junior Emperor arranged for The Botch divination and the non-responsive Oracle divination and the non-responsive Oracle divination and the non-responsive Oracle in order to push Diocesan into a in order to push Diocesan into a in order to push Diocesan into a Hardline Hardline Hardline stance he will also be blamed for the stance he will also be blamed for the stance he will also be blamed for the fires that will break out following the fires that will break out following the fires that will break out following the publication of the first anti-christian publication of the first anti-christian publication of the first anti-christian edict which we'll get to in a edict which we'll get to in a edict which we'll get to in a second however though garius proved second however though garius proved second however though garius proved himself to be a sadist when it came to himself to be a sadist when it came to himself to be a sadist when it came to the Christians it is really hard to say the Christians it is really hard to say the Christians it is really hard to say in the runup to the persecution what in the runup to the persecution what in the runup to the persecution what events he pre-arranged and what events events he pre-arranged and what events events he pre-arranged and what events he simply took advantage of on February 23rd 303 ad almost of on February 23rd 303 ad almost exactly exactly exactly 1,78 years ago Diocesan finally let the 1,78 years ago Diocesan finally let the 1,78 years ago Diocesan finally let the hardliners off the leash he ordered the hardliners off the leash he ordered the hardliners off the leash he ordered the Church of nicomedia the one that could Church of nicomedia the one that could Church of nicomedia the one that could be seen from his Imperial Palace raised be seen from his Imperial Palace raised be seen from his Imperial Palace raised to the ground all of the scripture to the ground all of the scripture to the ground all of the scripture housed there was burned and all of its housed there was burned and all of its housed there was burned and all of its valuables were carted valuables were carted valuables were carted off the next day Imperial authorities off the next day Imperial authorities off the next day Imperial authorities posted an edict not only ordering every posted an edict not only ordering every posted an edict not only ordering every citizen in the Empire to make a proper citizen in the Empire to make a proper citizen in the Empire to make a proper Pagan sacrifice but further ordering

Pagan sacrifice but further ordering Pagan sacrifice but further ordering that every Church in the empire was to that every Church in the empire was to that every Church in the empire was to be destroyed all Christian scripture was be destroyed all Christian scripture was be destroyed all Christian scripture was to be burned and known Christians be to be burned and known Christians be to be burned and known Christians be henceforth forbidden from assembling in henceforth forbidden from assembling in henceforth forbidden from assembling in one one one place the public outcry was immediate place the public outcry was immediate place the public outcry was immediate and the first victim of the persecution and the first victim of the persecution and the first victim of the persecution was a Christian man who literally tore was a Christian man who literally tore was a Christian man who literally tore the posted edict down off the the posted edict down off the the posted edict down off the wall within a week fires began breaking wall within a week fires began breaking wall within a week fires began breaking out in the Imperial Palace According to out in the Imperial Palace According to out in the Imperial Palace According to some sources these were little Reich some sources these were little Reich some sources these were little Reich stag fires set by garus and Diocesan stag fires set by garus and Diocesan stag fires set by garus and Diocesan opinion hardened further now the opinion hardened further now the opinion hardened further now the Christian threat was not just Christian threat was not just Christian threat was not just theoretical they were disobeying theoretical they were disobeying theoretical they were disobeying Imperial orders and engaging in nothing Imperial orders and engaging in nothing Imperial orders and engaging in nothing less than treason in the aftermath of this initial in the aftermath of this initial Uprising Christians were rounded up and Uprising Christians were rounded up and Uprising Christians were rounded up and tortured for information about their tortured for information about their tortured for information about their Brethren and garius seems to have had a Brethren and garius seems to have had a Brethren and garius seems to have had a particular penion for burning victims particular penion for burning victims particular penion for burning victims alive once he was done extracting alive once he was done extracting alive once he was done extracting information from information from information from them then when the first edict was them then when the first edict was them then when the first edict was determined to be insufficiently determined to be insufficiently determined to be insufficiently oppressive a further law was passed in oppressive a further law was passed in oppressive a further law was passed in the summer of 303 ordering that church the summer of 303 ordering that church the summer of 303 ordering that church officials all those deacons and prors officials all those deacons and prors officials all those deacons and prors and Bishops be rounded up and jailed and Bishops be rounded up and jailed and Bishops be rounded up and jailed this of course caused the prisons to this of course caused the prisons to this of course caused the prisons to overflow and regular criminals had to be overflow and regular criminals had to be overflow and regular criminals had to be released to allow for the influx of released to allow for the influx of released to allow for the influx of Christians it was around this time that Christians it was around this time that Christians it was around this time that the backlash the backlash the backlash began Hardline anti-christians for the began Hardline anti-christians for the began Hardline anti-christians for the most part only lived in the uppermost

most part only lived in the uppermost most part only lived in the uppermost rungs of the Imperial rungs of the Imperial rungs of the Imperial government down on the lower levels government down on the lower levels government down on the lower levels soldiers and guards and wardens had a soldiers and guards and wardens had a soldiers and guards and wardens had a hard time fathoming why they were being hard time fathoming why they were being hard time fathoming why they were being made to suffer under the crushing weight made to suffer under the crushing weight made to suffer under the crushing weight of thousands of harmless old men who had of thousands of harmless old men who had of thousands of harmless old men who had broken no real broken no real broken no real laws in many cases these men just laws in many cases these men just laws in many cases these men just outright lied to their superiors telling outright lied to their superiors telling outright lied to their superiors telling them sacrifices had been dutifully made them sacrifices had been dutifully made them sacrifices had been dutifully made just so they could clear out the holding just so they could clear out the holding just so they could clear out the holding cells this Dynamic played out all over cells this Dynamic played out all over cells this Dynamic played out all over the Empire as the rigor with which the the Empire as the rigor with which the the Empire as the rigor with which the persecution was pursued became defined persecution was pursued became defined persecution was pursued became defined by local officials who more often than by local officials who more often than by local officials who more often than not wanted no part of jailing and not wanted no part of jailing and not wanted no part of jailing and killing killing killing Christians in the west especially the Christians in the west especially the Christians in the west especially the persecution never really gained Traction persecution never really gained Traction persecution never really gained Traction constantius in particular seems to have constantius in particular seems to have constantius in particular seems to have set the tone for his territories and set the tone for his territories and set the tone for his territories and after a few perfunctory photo ops he after a few perfunctory photo ops he after a few perfunctory photo ops he essentially let the whole matter drop essentially let the whole matter drop essentially let the whole matter drop which of course made him something of a which of course made him something of a which of course made him something of a hero within the church allowing his son hero within the church allowing his son hero within the church allowing his son to easily play the part of Christian to easily play the part of Christian to easily play the part of Christian Champion down the road in the East though under the road in the East though under the watchful eye of garus Christians in watchful eye of garus Christians in watchful eye of garus Christians in Syria and Egypt and Asia Minor were Syria and Egypt and Asia Minor were Syria and Egypt and Asia Minor were rounded up tortured and more often than rounded up tortured and more often than rounded up tortured and more often than not burned not burned not burned alive the backlash in the Eastern alive the backlash in the Eastern alive the backlash in the Eastern provinces then did not take the form of provinces then did not take the form of provinces then did not take the form of intentionally blind State officials but intentionally blind State officials but intentionally blind State officials but instead ordinary citizens who were instead ordinary citizens who were instead ordinary citizens who were horrified at what the government was horrified at what the government was horrified at what the government was doing the victims were their family

doing the victims were their family doing the victims were their family their friends and their neighbors and their friends and their neighbors and their friends and their neighbors and even if they were none of these things even if they were none of these things even if they were none of these things the Christians were by this time widely the Christians were by this time widely the Christians were by this time widely viewed as a harmless cult comprised of viewed as a harmless cult comprised of viewed as a harmless cult comprised of law abiding taxpaying citizens whose law abiding taxpaying citizens whose law abiding taxpaying citizens whose most visible public activity was what most visible public activity was what most visible public activity was what tending to the poor and the tending to the poor and the tending to the poor and the sick on top of that there was a whole sick on top of that there was a whole sick on top of that there was a whole growing community of Romans like for growing community of Romans like for growing community of Romans like for example the Emperor aelian who had example the Emperor aelian who had example the Emperor aelian who had drifted over to monotheism even if it drifted over to monotheism even if it drifted over to monotheism even if it was a particularly Pagan brand of it was a particularly Pagan brand of it was a particularly Pagan brand of it they often identified the god of the they often identified the god of the they often identified the god of the Christians with their own God and even Christians with their own God and even Christians with their own God and even if the Christians did not necessarily if the Christians did not necessarily if the Christians did not necessarily reciprocate mono theists who watched reciprocate mono theists who watched reciprocate mono theists who watched fellow monotheists dragged off in Chains fellow monotheists dragged off in Chains fellow monotheists dragged off in Chains were were were incensed across the East citizens hid incensed across the East citizens hid incensed across the East citizens hid Christians lied to protect Christians Christians lied to protect Christians Christians lied to protect Christians helped Christians escape to the west and helped Christians escape to the west and helped Christians escape to the west and in every way tried to thwart the in every way tried to thwart the in every way tried to thwart the imperial agents the persecutions initial burst of agents the persecutions initial burst of energy lasted into 304 and would energy lasted into 304 and would energy lasted into 304 and would continue on the books until 311 but it continue on the books until 311 but it continue on the books until 311 but it would eventually be dropped by garius would eventually be dropped by garius would eventually be dropped by garius just prior to his death just prior to his death just prior to his death after he finally came to understand that after he finally came to understand that after he finally came to understand that the whole operation had done far more to the whole operation had done far more to the whole operation had done far more to undermine Imperial Authority than undermine Imperial Authority than undermine Imperial Authority than bolster bolster bolster it what happened between 304 and 311 to it what happened between 304 and 311 to it what happened between 304 and 311 to change Gus's mind you ask how about the change Gus's mind you ask how about the change Gus's mind you ask how about the rise of Constantine the Great whose rise of Constantine the Great whose rise of Constantine the Great whose career was in part fueled by citizens career was in part fueled by citizens career was in part fueled by citizens Christian or otherwise who viewed the Christian or otherwise who viewed the Christian or otherwise who viewed the persecution as an unthinkable crime

persecution as an unthinkable crime persecution as an unthinkable crime against against against humanity and that is why it appears humanity and that is why it appears humanity and that is why it appears Diocesan made a huge mistake in aligning Diocesan made a huge mistake in aligning Diocesan made a huge mistake in aligning himself with the himself with the himself with the hardliners the persecution disrupted the hardliners the persecution disrupted the hardliners the persecution disrupted the peace he had spent the last 20 years peace he had spent the last 20 years peace he had spent the last 20 years establishing it undermine the legitimacy establishing it undermine the legitimacy establishing it undermine the legitimacy of the tetrarchy paving the way for of the tetrarchy paving the way for of the tetrarchy paving the way for Constantine to eventually blow it up and Constantine to eventually blow it up and Constantine to eventually blow it up and in return for all that the persecution in return for all that the persecution in return for all that the persecution had produced for Diocesan no tangible had produced for Diocesan no tangible had produced for Diocesan no tangible benefits it was a bad policy and a benefits it was a bad policy and a benefits it was a bad policy and a bloody policy and stands as a giant bloody policy and stands as a giant bloody policy and stands as a giant stain on dian's otherwise Sterling stain on dian's otherwise Sterling stain on dian's otherwise Sterling record next week we will get into the only next week we will get into the only upside for upside for upside for Diocesan namely that in 305 he would Diocesan namely that in 305 he would Diocesan namely that in 305 he would wash his hands of the whole thing and in wash his hands of the whole thing and in wash his hands of the whole thing and in an unprecedented move announced that he an unprecedented move announced that he an unprecedented move announced that he planned to voluntarily abdicate the planned to voluntarily abdicate the planned to voluntarily abdicate the throne so he could retire to his Villa throne so he could retire to his Villa throne so he could retire to his Villa and I'm dead serious about this raise and I'm dead serious about this raise and I'm dead serious about this raise cabbages cabbages cabbages [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome

hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode episode episode 129 129 129 [Music] [Music] [Music] abdication now that we know how abdication now that we know how abdication now that we know how everything turned out I think it's safe everything turned out I think it's safe everything turned out I think it's safe to say that 303 ad marked the beginning to say that 303 ad marked the beginning to say that 303 ad marked the beginning of the end for Diocesan and his of the end for Diocesan and his of the end for Diocesan and his tetrarchy beyond the great persecution tetrarchy beyond the great persecution tetrarchy beyond the great persecution and all the long-term ill effects that and all the long-term ill effects that and all the long-term ill effects that came with it a 303 also saw Diocesan came with it a 303 also saw Diocesan came with it a 303 also saw Diocesan stricken by an illness that plagued him stricken by an illness that plagued him stricken by an illness that plagued him for so long and was so nearly fatal that for so long and was so nearly fatal that for so long and was so nearly fatal that calling it a brush with death doesn't calling it a brush with death doesn't calling it a brush with death doesn't quite do it justice it was more like an quite do it justice it was more like an quite do it justice it was more like an extended staring extended staring extended staring contest When Death finally blinked contest When Death finally blinked contest When Death finally blinked though Diocesan did not take it as a though Diocesan did not take it as a though Diocesan did not take it as a sign that he was destined to live and sign that he was destined to live and sign that he was destined to live and Rule forever instead he took it as a Rule forever instead he took it as a Rule forever instead he took it as a reminder that he was Mortal that he was reminder that he was Mortal that he was reminder that he was Mortal that he was not long for this world and that it was not long for this world and that it was not long for this world and that it was time to initiate his last and most time to initiate his last and most time to initiate his last and most audacious plan yet despite the pleasantness of the yet despite the pleasantness of the great persecution 303 ad was otherwise great persecution 303 ad was otherwise great persecution 303 ad was otherwise supposed to be a banner year for the supposed to be a banner year for the supposed to be a banner year for the tetrarchy the Romans loved their tetrarchy the Romans loved their tetrarchy the Romans loved their anniversaries and the year was about to anniversaries and the year was about to anniversaries and the year was about to see two big Imperial Milestones come to see two big Imperial Milestones come to see two big Imperial Milestones come to pass in March the two Caesars garius and pass in March the two Caesars garius and pass in March the two Caesars garius and constantius would celebrate the 10th constantius would celebrate the 10th constantius would celebrate the 10th anniversary of their Ascension to the anniversary of their Ascension to the anniversary of their Ascension to the purple and in November Diocesan would purple and in November Diocesan would purple and in November Diocesan would enter the 20th year of his enter the 20th year of his enter the 20th year of his Reign the senior Augustus had every Reign the senior Augustus had every Reign the senior Augustus had every intention of celebrating both

intention of celebrating both intention of celebrating both anniversaries in unprecedented fashion anniversaries in unprecedented fashion anniversaries in unprecedented fashion and so he took this opportunity to play and so he took this opportunity to play and so he took this opportunity to play the one card he had thus far kept hidden the one card he had thus far kept hidden the one card he had thus far kept hidden deep in his hand after 20 years of deep in his hand after 20 years of deep in his hand after 20 years of neglect and disdain it was finally time neglect and disdain it was finally time neglect and disdain it was finally time for the emperor of Rome to visit for the emperor of Rome to visit for the emperor of Rome to visit Rome word went out to the citizens of Rome word went out to the citizens of Rome word went out to the citizens of the Eternal City that they were about to the Eternal City that they were about to the Eternal City that they were about to get their first look at Diocesan and get their first look at Diocesan and get their first look at Diocesan and preparations immediately went into preparations immediately went into preparations immediately went into overdrive to greet with all Rome had to overdrive to greet with all Rome had to overdrive to greet with all Rome had to offer the city fathers saw it as an offer the city fathers saw it as an offer the city fathers saw it as an opportunity to fully impress upon dition opportunity to fully impress upon dition opportunity to fully impress upon dition that whatever his political aims had that whatever his political aims had that whatever his political aims had been in refusing to visit the true been in refusing to visit the true been in refusing to visit the true capital of the Empire that Rome could capital of the Empire that Rome could capital of the Empire that Rome could not be denied forever she was too big not be denied forever she was too big not be denied forever she was too big too rich and too important to Simply too rich and too important to Simply too rich and too important to Simply Fade Away Rome's day would come again Fade Away Rome's day would come again Fade Away Rome's day would come again and they planned to make sure that and they planned to make sure that and they planned to make sure that Diocesan bore witness to that fact for Diocesan bore witness to that fact for Diocesan bore witness to that fact for the lower classes the imminent arrival the lower classes the imminent arrival the lower classes the imminent arrival of the emperor meant only one thing of the emperor meant only one thing of the emperor meant only one thing festivals and games on a massive festivals and games on a massive festivals and games on a massive scale it was with great anticipation scale it was with great anticipation scale it was with great anticipation then that the citizens of Rome awaited then that the citizens of Rome awaited then that the citizens of Rome awaited the Imperial Entourage and when it the Imperial Entourage and when it the Imperial Entourage and when it finally arrived no one was finally arrived no one was finally arrived no one was disappointed no one that is except Diocesan on his way to Rome Diocesan Diocesan on his way to Rome Diocesan swung through Milan and picked up swung through Milan and picked up swung through Milan and picked up maximan who apart from a brief campaign maximan who apart from a brief campaign maximan who apart from a brief campaign in in North Africa had spent the last in in North Africa had spent the last in in North Africa had spent the last few years taking it easy in Northern

few years taking it easy in Northern few years taking it easy in Northern Italy the two augusty then entered Rome Italy the two augusty then entered Rome Italy the two augusty then entered Rome together in November of 303 just in time together in November of 303 just in time together in November of 303 just in time to welcome dian's 20th anniversary year to welcome dian's 20th anniversary year to welcome dian's 20th anniversary year and inaugurate games that would and inaugurate games that would and inaugurate games that would simultaneously celebrate that Milestone simultaneously celebrate that Milestone simultaneously celebrate that Milestone and the decade Milestone of the two and the decade Milestone of the two and the decade Milestone of the two Caesars the plan was then for him to Caesars the plan was then for him to Caesars the plan was then for him to remain in the city until January 1st at remain in the city until January 1st at remain in the city until January 1st at which point he and maximian would stand which point he and maximian would stand which point he and maximian would stand on the capitaline hill and be invested on the capitaline hill and be invested on the capitaline hill and be invested with the year's consulships hey remember with the year's consulships hey remember with the year's consulships hey remember Consul ships just like the Romans of old Consul ships just like the Romans of old Consul ships just like the Romans of old but it quickly became apparent that but it quickly became apparent that but it quickly became apparent that things were not going to go according to things were not going to go according to things were not going to go according to plan things started out all right as plan things started out all right as plan things started out all right as Diocesan took a tour of the city to Diocesan took a tour of the city to Diocesan took a tour of the city to inspect the various building projects He inspect the various building projects He inspect the various building projects He had commissioned over the had commissioned over the had commissioned over the years despite his political disdain for years despite his political disdain for years despite his political disdain for the city a Diocesan had always been the city a Diocesan had always been the city a Diocesan had always been conscious of the symbolic importance of conscious of the symbolic importance of conscious of the symbolic importance of the old C capital and felt that it would the old C capital and felt that it would the old C capital and felt that it would be in bad taste to let the city fall be in bad taste to let the city fall be in bad taste to let the city fall into into into disrepair so when for example the Senate disrepair so when for example the Senate disrepair so when for example the Senate house burned down Diocesan did not house burned down Diocesan did not house burned down Diocesan did not hesitate to rebuild it and the curia hesitate to rebuild it and the curia hesitate to rebuild it and the curia that stands in the Forum today is the that stands in the Forum today is the that stands in the Forum today is the ruin of dian's final ruin of dian's final ruin of dian's final rebuild the emperor also took the rebuild the emperor also took the rebuild the emperor also took the opportunity to put his own stamp on the opportunity to put his own stamp on the opportunity to put his own stamp on the City by building a huge bath complex in City by building a huge bath complex in City by building a huge bath complex in the northern quarter that rivaled the the northern quarter that rivaled the the northern quarter that rivaled the baths of kakawa in both size and baths of kakawa in both size and baths of kakawa in both size and opulence which were called obviously the opulence which were called obviously the opulence which were called obviously the baths of baths of baths of Diocesan but after satisfying himself

Diocesan but after satisfying himself Diocesan but after satisfying himself that the city was in good shape that the city was in good shape that the city was in good shape architecturally there was nothing left architecturally there was nothing left architecturally there was nothing left for him to do but enjoy all that Rome for him to do but enjoy all that Rome for him to do but enjoy all that Rome had to offer and unfortunately Diocesan had to offer and unfortunately Diocesan had to offer and unfortunately Diocesan did not at all enjoy what Rome had to did not at all enjoy what Rome had to did not at all enjoy what Rome had to offer he was immediately put on edge by offer he was immediately put on edge by offer he was immediately put on edge by the attitude of the citizens who he the attitude of the citizens who he the attitude of the citizens who he found himself face to face with for the found himself face to face with for the found himself face to face with for the first time first time first time see the Romans themselves were not so see the Romans themselves were not so see the Romans themselves were not so quick to embrace the notion that their quick to embrace the notion that their quick to embrace the notion that their Emperor was a quasi god who had Emperor was a quasi god who had Emperor was a quasi god who had descended from on high to rule them that descended from on high to rule them that descended from on high to rule them that kind of BS might work on the lowly kind of BS might work on the lowly kind of BS might work on the lowly provincials but in Rome an emperor was provincials but in Rome an emperor was provincials but in Rome an emperor was just a man who had a lot of political just a man who had a lot of political just a man who had a lot of political power there was nothing mystical about power there was nothing mystical about power there was nothing mystical about it we invented this whole operation for it we invented this whole operation for it we invented this whole operation for crying out loud don't try to tell us crying out loud don't try to tell us crying out loud don't try to tell us that you're made of magic we know that that you're made of magic we know that that you're made of magic we know that somewhere behind all those curtains is a somewhere behind all those curtains is a somewhere behind all those curtains is a man just like us man just like us man just like us after almost two decades of being after almost two decades of being after almost two decades of being treated with odd reverence wherever he treated with odd reverence wherever he treated with odd reverence wherever he went it was a bit of a shock to be went it was a bit of a shock to be went it was a bit of a shock to be thrust into a world where the prins thrust into a world where the prins thrust into a world where the prins model was still believed to be in model was still believed to be in model was still believed to be in effect Diocesan found himself dealing effect Diocesan found himself dealing effect Diocesan found himself dealing with familiarity vulgarity and with familiarity vulgarity and with familiarity vulgarity and disrespect in degrees and quantities he disrespect in degrees and quantities he disrespect in degrees and quantities he had not experienced in years and frankly had not experienced in years and frankly had not experienced in years and frankly it put him it put him it put him off this unpleasantness was then off this unpleasantness was then off this unpleasantness was then compounded by the behavior of the Romans compounded by the behavior of the Romans compounded by the behavior of the Romans at the games at the games at the games themselves Dian was a conservative man themselves Dian was a conservative man themselves Dian was a conservative man and perhaps a bit of a prude but he was

and perhaps a bit of a prude but he was and perhaps a bit of a prude but he was not naive as to the way the world worked not naive as to the way the world worked not naive as to the way the world worked nor to the way the people nor to the way the people nor to the way the people worked but still what he saw in Rome worked but still what he saw in Rome worked but still what he saw in Rome shocked him the drunkenness the shocked him the drunkenness the shocked him the drunkenness the grubbiness the lenti justness of it all grubbiness the lenti justness of it all grubbiness the lenti justness of it all contrasted sharply with his mental image contrasted sharply with his mental image contrasted sharply with his mental image of the Romans of old an image that he of the Romans of old an image that he of the Romans of old an image that he himself had been trying to emulate all himself had been trying to emulate all himself had been trying to emulate all these years here now were the Great these years here now were the Great these years here now were the Great Romans crying over a lost Chariot race Romans crying over a lost Chariot race Romans crying over a lost Chariot race fighting over women passing out in the fighting over women passing out in the fighting over women passing out in the streets from an excess of well streets from an excess of well streets from an excess of well everything it was in a word everything it was in a word everything it was in a word disgusting after just a few short weeks disgusting after just a few short weeks disgusting after just a few short weeks Dian had had enough far from impressed Dian had had enough far from impressed Dian had had enough far from impressed the emperor was now convinced more than the emperor was now convinced more than the emperor was now convinced more than ever that Rome was ever that Rome was ever that Rome was irrelevant 20th anniversary or no there irrelevant 20th anniversary or no there irrelevant 20th anniversary or no there was a whole empire out there that needed was a whole empire out there that needed was a whole empire out there that needed his attention and he couldn't in good his attention and he couldn't in good his attention and he couldn't in good conscience continue to ignore it in conscience continue to ignore it in conscience continue to ignore it in favor of this drunken favor of this drunken favor of this drunken orgy so he let it be known to everyone's orgy so he let it be known to everyone's orgy so he let it be known to everyone's shock and dismay that he was cutting his shock and dismay that he was cutting his shock and dismay that he was cutting his visit short and that he would accept his visit short and that he would accept his visit short and that he would accept his consulship not on the capitaline hill consulship not on the capitaline hill consulship not on the capitaline hill but instead on the road getting him the but instead on the road getting him the but instead on the road getting him the hell out of hell out of hell out of Rome the Romans commoner and Aristocrat Rome the Romans commoner and Aristocrat Rome the Romans commoner and Aristocrat alike were bitterly disappointed and not alike were bitterly disappointed and not alike were bitterly disappointed and not a little offended themselves that the a little offended themselves that the a little offended themselves that the emperor was snubbing them right to their emperor was snubbing them right to their emperor was snubbing them right to their face face face in a few years maxentius will arrive on in a few years maxentius will arrive on in a few years maxentius will arrive on the scene and offer them the opportunity the scene and offer them the opportunity the scene and offer them the opportunity to extract a measure of Revenge on to extract a measure of Revenge on to extract a measure of Revenge on Diocesan and his carefully laid plans

Diocesan and his carefully laid plans Diocesan and his carefully laid plans for the Empire it should come as no for the Empire it should come as no for the Empire it should come as no surprise that they will jump at the surprise that they will jump at the surprise that they will jump at the chance to upset dian's apple cart now maybe it was just a coincidence cart now maybe it was just a coincidence or maybe it was that Diocesan was or maybe it was that Diocesan was or maybe it was that Diocesan was getting old but if you're feeling getting old but if you're feeling getting old but if you're feeling superstitious there is no superstitious there is no superstitious there is no misinterpreting what happened next misinterpreting what happened next misinterpreting what happened next on his way out of Italy Dian came down on his way out of Italy Dian came down on his way out of Italy Dian came down with some sort of illness that basically with some sort of illness that basically with some sort of illness that basically knocked him out of commission for a year knocked him out of commission for a year knocked him out of commission for a year and a and a and a half he could do no more than lay in a half he could do no more than lay in a half he could do no more than lay in a closed litter as the Imperial Entourage closed litter as the Imperial Entourage closed litter as the Imperial Entourage struggled to make its way back to struggled to make its way back to struggled to make its way back to nicomedia I am sure that there were more nicomedia I am sure that there were more nicomedia I am sure that there were more than a few whispers about whether or not than a few whispers about whether or not than a few whispers about whether or not the gods were perhaps a bit annoyed at the gods were perhaps a bit annoyed at the gods were perhaps a bit annoyed at Diocesan for the way he had just treated Diocesan for the way he had just treated Diocesan for the way he had just treated Rome his advisers kept pleading with the Rome his advisers kept pleading with the Rome his advisers kept pleading with the emperor to stop the journey and settle emperor to stop the journey and settle emperor to stop the journey and settle down in any one of the numerous cities down in any one of the numerous cities down in any one of the numerous cities they passed so he could recover but they passed so he could recover but they passed so he could recover but Diocesan ordered them to press on to Diocesan ordered them to press on to Diocesan ordered them to press on to nicom Media if he was going to die he nicom Media if he was going to die he nicom Media if he was going to die he was going to die in the city that had was going to die in the city that had was going to die in the city that had been his home base all these been his home base all these been his home base all these years the procession moved so slowly years the procession moved so slowly years the procession moved so slowly that it wasn't until the summer of 304 that it wasn't until the summer of 304 that it wasn't until the summer of 304 that they finally made it back to his that they finally made it back to his that they finally made it back to his Capital upon arrival daian mustered Capital upon arrival daian mustered Capital upon arrival daian mustered enough energy to dedicate a new circus enough energy to dedicate a new circus enough energy to dedicate a new circus that had been built in honor of his his that had been built in honor of his his that had been built in honor of his his 20th anniversary and then he promptly 20th anniversary and then he promptly 20th anniversary and then he promptly disappeared into the Imperial disappeared into the Imperial disappeared into the Imperial Palace while it's true that access to Palace while it's true that access to Palace while it's true that access to the emperor had always been carefully the emperor had always been carefully the emperor had always been carefully controlled for the next 9 months or so

controlled for the next 9 months or so controlled for the next 9 months or so this control was taken to extreme this control was taken to extreme this control was taken to extreme lengths and almost no one saw Diocesan lengths and almost no one saw Diocesan lengths and almost no one saw Diocesan in in in person he was kept sequestered in his person he was kept sequestered in his person he was kept sequestered in his private quarters suffering from an private quarters suffering from an private quarters suffering from an illness that kept him debilitated while illness that kept him debilitated while illness that kept him debilitated while refusing to kill refusing to kill refusing to kill him on multiple occasions during these him on multiple occasions during these him on multiple occasions during these nervous months though rumors swirled nervous months though rumors swirled nervous months though rumors swirled furiously that the emperor had died was furiously that the emperor had died was furiously that the emperor had died was about to die had died weeks ago or had about to die had died weeks ago or had about to die had died weeks ago or had been dead the whole been dead the whole been dead the whole time at one point he apparently slipped time at one point he apparently slipped time at one point he apparently slipped into a coma which sparked rumors even into a coma which sparked rumors even into a coma which sparked rumors even within the Imperial household that Dian within the Imperial household that Dian within the Imperial household that Dian was now finally was now finally was now finally dead garius was alternatively called for dead garius was alternatively called for dead garius was alternatively called for or waved off with each cycle of or waved off with each cycle of or waved off with each cycle of rumor when he was finally officially rumor when he was finally officially rumor when he was finally officially summoned in March 305 though it was not summoned in March 305 though it was not summoned in March 305 though it was not to oversee funeral arrangements but to oversee funeral arrangements but to oversee funeral arrangements but rather to congratulate Diocesan on his rather to congratulate Diocesan on his rather to congratulate Diocesan on his recovery the emperor though pale and recovery the emperor though pale and recovery the emperor though pale and gaunt was not dead gaunt was not dead gaunt was not dead yet garius who was probably more than yet garius who was probably more than yet garius who was probably more than ready for Diocesan to die at this point ready for Diocesan to die at this point ready for Diocesan to die at this point no doubt issued his congratulation no doubt issued his congratulation no doubt issued his congratulation through clenched teeth but if he was through clenched teeth but if he was through clenched teeth but if he was disappointed that his time had not yet disappointed that his time had not yet disappointed that his time had not yet come Diocesan immediately put his Junior come Diocesan immediately put his Junior come Diocesan immediately put his Junior Emperor's mind at ease he was alive yes Emperor's mind at ease he was alive yes Emperor's mind at ease he was alive yes but Gus's time was still at hand but Gus's time was still at hand but Gus's time was still at hand Diocesan told his Caesar that he was Diocesan told his Caesar that he was Diocesan told his Caesar that he was going to abdicate the throne as with the decision to elevate throne as with the decision to elevate garius and constantius in the first

garius and constantius in the first garius and constantius in the first place it is difficult to determine when place it is difficult to determine when place it is difficult to determine when exactly Diocesan decided that he was exactly Diocesan decided that he was exactly Diocesan decided that he was going to retire and let them take going to retire and let them take going to retire and let them take over some believe it was his plan all over some believe it was his plan all over some believe it was his plan all along and that abdication was at the along and that abdication was at the along and that abdication was at the very heart of what he hoped would be a very heart of what he hoped would be a very heart of what he hoped would be a perpetually stable success perpetually stable success perpetually stable success process others believe the idea only process others believe the idea only process others believe the idea only popped up later as Diocesan Grew Older popped up later as Diocesan Grew Older popped up later as Diocesan Grew Older and began to think about how he could and began to think about how he could and began to think about how he could best ensure a peaceful transition of best ensure a peaceful transition of best ensure a peaceful transition of power and still others believe that it power and still others believe that it power and still others believe that it was never the plan but that an was never the plan but that an was never the plan but that an overbearing garious essentially forced overbearing garious essentially forced overbearing garious essentially forced Diocesan to step Diocesan to step Diocesan to step aside however long he hadd been planning aside however long he hadd been planning aside however long he hadd been planning eventual abdication though the long eventual abdication though the long eventual abdication though the long illness he just endured was the likely illness he just endured was the likely illness he just endured was the likely Catalyst for setting his last plan in Catalyst for setting his last plan in Catalyst for setting his last plan in motion though it is worth noting that motion though it is worth noting that motion though it is worth noting that the date of abdication was almost 20 the date of abdication was almost 20 the date of abdication was almost 20 years to the day after the battle of the years to the day after the battle of the years to the day after the battle of the margus so it is entirely possible that margus so it is entirely possible that margus so it is entirely possible that the illness was just a coincidental stop the illness was just a coincidental stop the illness was just a coincidental stop on the road to cementing a precedent of on the road to cementing a precedent of on the road to cementing a precedent of 20 yearlong Reigns for all future Emperors the trick was getting maximian Emperors the trick was getting maximian to go along with the to go along with the to go along with the plan in order to ensure that the balance plan in order to ensure that the balance plan in order to ensure that the balance of power remained intact as Authority of power remained intact as Authority of power remained intact as Authority was handed from one generation to the was handed from one generation to the was handed from one generation to the next next next both of the Caesars needed to become both of the Caesars needed to become both of the Caesars needed to become augusti at the same time and the two new augusti at the same time and the two new augusti at the same time and the two new Caesars needed to be appointed at the Caesars needed to be appointed at the Caesars needed to be appointed at the same time which meant that the old same time which meant that the old same time which meant that the old augusti Diocesan and maximian needed to augusti Diocesan and maximian needed to augusti Diocesan and maximian needed to abdicate at the same

abdicate at the same abdicate at the same time and as we will see maximan was not time and as we will see maximan was not time and as we will see maximan was not nearly as Keen to give up on power as nearly as Keen to give up on power as nearly as Keen to give up on power as Diocesan Diocesan Diocesan was the thing that is always stuck in my was the thing that is always stuck in my was the thing that is always stuck in my craw about the alleged necessity of craw about the alleged necessity of craw about the alleged necessity of everyone shifting places at the same everyone shifting places at the same everyone shifting places at the same time though time though time though is that when we look back on it the only is that when we look back on it the only is that when we look back on it the only version of the tetrarchy that ever version of the tetrarchy that ever version of the tetrarchy that ever worked was the one in which there was worked was the one in which there was worked was the one in which there was very clearly a senior Augustus who very clearly a senior Augustus who very clearly a senior Augustus who outranked the outranked the outranked the others for all the outward professions others for all the outward professions others for all the outward professions of equality daian had always been the of equality daian had always been the of equality daian had always been the head cheese and when we analyze the head cheese and when we analyze the head cheese and when we analyze the stability of the tetrarchic system it is stability of the tetrarchic system it is stability of the tetrarchic system it is hard not to come to the conclusion that hard not to come to the conclusion that hard not to come to the conclusion that it was dian's extra level of influence it was dian's extra level of influence it was dian's extra level of influence over his colleagues more than anything over his colleagues more than anything over his colleagues more than anything else that kept them working as part else that kept them working as part else that kept them working as part rather than Rivals is it possible that rather than Rivals is it possible that rather than Rivals is it possible that things would not have gone so horribly things would not have gone so horribly things would not have gone so horribly ay if only Diocesan abdicated while ay if only Diocesan abdicated while ay if only Diocesan abdicated while maximian remained in place leaving a maximian remained in place leaving a maximian remained in place leaving a clearly senior Augustus around to keep clearly senior Augustus around to keep clearly senior Augustus around to keep everyone Towing the everyone Towing the everyone Towing the line it is a question with so many line it is a question with so many line it is a question with so many moving parts that it's hard to figure moving parts that it's hard to figure moving parts that it's hard to figure what the end result would have been but what the end result would have been but what the end result would have been but since things so quickly went to hell in since things so quickly went to hell in since things so quickly went to hell in a hand basket anyway it is worth a hand basket anyway it is worth a hand basket anyway it is worth ruminating on the answer of course is that it probably the answer of course is that it probably would have been even more disastrous for would have been even more disastrous for would have been even more disastrous for the Empire not because the system didn't the Empire not because the system didn't the Empire not because the system didn't need a senior Augustus to function need a senior Augustus to function need a senior Augustus to function properly it probably did but because the properly it probably did but because the properly it probably did but because the new senior Augustus would have been new senior Augustus would have been new senior Augustus would have been maximian and I can't imagine a single

maximian and I can't imagine a single maximian and I can't imagine a single scenario where maximan handles his scenario where maximan handles his scenario where maximan handles his colleagues with anything resembling the colleagues with anything resembling the colleagues with anything resembling the deafness that Diocesan deafness that Diocesan deafness that Diocesan had Civil War probably would have broken had Civil War probably would have broken had Civil War probably would have broken out the first time any one of them out the first time any one of them out the first time any one of them disagreed about anything because disagreed about anything because disagreed about anything because maximian did not massage egos he punched maximian did not massage egos he punched maximian did not massage egos he punched them in the them in the them in the face his temperament was not at all face his temperament was not at all face his temperament was not at all suited for the job which Diocesan suited for the job which Diocesan suited for the job which Diocesan thoroughly understood and was as likely thoroughly understood and was as likely thoroughly understood and was as likely a reason for simultaneous abdication as a reason for simultaneous abdication as a reason for simultaneous abdication as any abstract Notions of equality of rank any abstract Notions of equality of rank any abstract Notions of equality of rank among the future Emperors plus and this is the last thing Emperors plus and this is the last thing I'll say about it following the untimely I'll say about it following the untimely I'll say about it following the untimely death of constantius the tetrarchy will death of constantius the tetrarchy will death of constantius the tetrarchy will revert back to model where one Augustus revert back to model where one Augustus revert back to model where one Augustus garious was clearly senior to his garious was clearly senior to his garious was clearly senior to his colleagues and the system went ahead and colleagues and the system went ahead and colleagues and the system went ahead and collapsed collapsed collapsed anyway so it is then really hard not to anyway so it is then really hard not to anyway so it is then really hard not to come to the conclusion that the come to the conclusion that the come to the conclusion that the tetrarchy didn't just need a senior tetrarchy didn't just need a senior tetrarchy didn't just need a senior Augustus it needed Augustus it needed Augustus it needed Diocesan he was the quintessential Diocesan he was the quintessential Diocesan he was the quintessential element The Ether within which the element The Ether within which the element The Ether within which the tetrarchy swam and when he was gone tetrarchy swam and when he was gone tetrarchy swam and when he was gone there was nothing for it to do but die so getting back to the matter at hand so getting back to the matter at hand the trick was getting maximian on board the trick was getting maximian on board the trick was getting maximian on board and we have to believe that this was a and we have to believe that this was a and we have to believe that this was a project Diocesan had been working on for project Diocesan had been working on for project Diocesan had been working on for a while planting little seeds in Max a while planting little seeds in Max a while planting little seeds in Max siman's Head so that when the day siman's Head so that when the day siman's Head so that when the day finally came to give up power it would

finally came to give up power it would finally came to give up power it would not come completely out of left not come completely out of left not come completely out of left field you want me to do what give up field you want me to do what give up field you want me to do what give up absolute power have you gone Stark absolute power have you gone Stark absolute power have you gone Stark raving raving raving mad that is a conversation you really mad that is a conversation you really mad that is a conversation you really need to lay some groundwork need to lay some groundwork need to lay some groundwork for so if you believe that he had in for so if you believe that he had in for so if you believe that he had in fact been planning abdication for a fact been planning abdication for a fact been planning abdication for a while we can point to the Joint trip to while we can point to the Joint trip to while we can point to the Joint trip to Rome as the time Dian probably began to Rome as the time Dian probably began to Rome as the time Dian probably began to really press the issue hard with maximan really press the issue hard with maximan really press the issue hard with maximan switching from you know someday we're switching from you know someday we're switching from you know someday we're going to have to jointly abdicate for going to have to jointly abdicate for going to have to jointly abdicate for the good of the Empire to please get the good of the Empire to please get the good of the Empire to please get your Affairs in order because we're your Affairs in order because we're your Affairs in order because we're going to do this thing pretty going to do this thing pretty going to do this thing pretty soon a short while later when Diocesan soon a short while later when Diocesan soon a short while later when Diocesan was recovering from his illness his tax was recovering from his illness his tax was recovering from his illness his tax switched again to pack your bags were switched again to pack your bags were switched again to pack your bags were stepping down on May the stepping down on May the stepping down on May the 1st given every single thing he did 1st given every single thing he did 1st given every single thing he did after resigning though it is clear that after resigning though it is clear that after resigning though it is clear that maximan was not at all interested in maximan was not at all interested in maximan was not at all interested in abdication but to his credit his loyalty abdication but to his credit his loyalty abdication but to his credit his loyalty to Diocesan never wavered and when the to Diocesan never wavered and when the to Diocesan never wavered and when the time came he did what so few men in his time came he did what so few men in his time came he did what so few men in his place could have done and what he place could have done and what he place could have done and what he himself so did not not want to do he himself so did not not want to do he himself so did not not want to do he gave up absolute power on May the 1st 305 ad in power on May the 1st 305 ad in simultaneous ceremonies in nicomedia and simultaneous ceremonies in nicomedia and simultaneous ceremonies in nicomedia and Milan Diocesan and maximan became the Milan Diocesan and maximan became the Milan Diocesan and maximan became the first Emperors in Roman history to first Emperors in Roman history to first Emperors in Roman history to voluntarily give up the

voluntarily give up the voluntarily give up the throne Diocesan speaking to his soldiers throne Diocesan speaking to his soldiers throne Diocesan speaking to his soldiers announced that he was tired he was weak announced that he was tired he was weak announced that he was tired he was weak and that the Empire needed to always and that the Empire needed to always and that the Empire needed to always have a strong hand guiding the ship of have a strong hand guiding the ship of have a strong hand guiding the ship of state and that could no longer be that state and that could no longer be that state and that could no longer be that strong strong strong hand that garius and constantius would hand that garius and constantius would hand that garius and constantius would be the new strong hands was a foregone be the new strong hands was a foregone be the new strong hands was a foregone conclusion so the only drama left to conclusion so the only drama left to conclusion so the only drama left to play out on that spring day was who play out on that spring day was who play out on that spring day was who would be the new Caesars and it was in would be the new Caesars and it was in would be the new Caesars and it was in this drama that the tetrarchy found the this drama that the tetrarchy found the this drama that the tetrarchy found the root of its eventual ruin once upon a time I made the point ruin once upon a time I made the point that the five good Emperors are often that the five good Emperors are often that the five good Emperors are often praised for having a adopted qualified praised for having a adopted qualified praised for having a adopted qualified men of Merit to be their heirs rather men of Merit to be their heirs rather men of Merit to be their heirs rather than relying on their own blood Sons than relying on their own blood Sons than relying on their own blood Sons even though the whole reason they had to even though the whole reason they had to even though the whole reason they had to adopt outside their family in the first adopt outside their family in the first adopt outside their family in the first place was because between the lot of place was because between the lot of place was because between the lot of them there was ner a blood sun to be them there was ner a blood sun to be them there was ner a blood sun to be found it was no enlightened decision found it was no enlightened decision found it was no enlightened decision they were making it was something that they were making it was something that they were making it was something that was forced on them by was forced on them by was forced on them by circumstance in attempting to secure the circumstance in attempting to secure the circumstance in attempting to secure the future of his tetrarchy though daesan future of his tetrarchy though daesan future of his tetrarchy though daesan very clearly stepped in the direction of very clearly stepped in the direction of very clearly stepped in the direction of that enlightened choice that had that enlightened choice that had that enlightened choice that had supposedly been made during the age of supposedly been made during the age of supposedly been made during the age of the the the antonines the Emperors should be the antonines the Emperors should be the antonines the Emperors should be the best men in the Empire regardless of best men in the Empire regardless of best men in the Empire regardless of family family family relations to cement what he hoped would relations to cement what he hoped would relations to cement what he hoped would be a binding precedent then Diocesan be a binding precedent then Diocesan be a binding precedent then Diocesan intentionally skipped over the two men intentionally skipped over the two men intentionally skipped over the two men who at any other point in history would

who at any other point in history would who at any other point in history would have so obviously been chosen the new have so obviously been chosen the new have so obviously been chosen the new Caesars that their Ascension would have Caesars that their Ascension would have Caesars that their Ascension would have been as drama-free as the elevation of been as drama-free as the elevation of been as drama-free as the elevation of garius and constantius to the rank of garius and constantius to the rank of garius and constantius to the rank of Augustus Augustus Augustus those two men were maxentius the son of those two men were maxentius the son of those two men were maxentius the son of maximan and Constantine the son of maximan and Constantine the son of maximan and Constantine the son of constantius instead Diocesan went ahead constantius instead Diocesan went ahead constantius instead Diocesan went ahead and picked two established generals who and picked two established generals who and picked two established generals who were the sons of no one gas maximinus were the sons of no one gas maximinus were the sons of no one gas maximinus Dia and flavius saris now the later Christian writer saris now the later Christian writer lactantius describes a scene in which lactantius describes a scene in which lactantius describes a scene in which the troops in nicom media Ripple with the troops in nicom media Ripple with the troops in nicom media Ripple with shock when they learn that the handsome shock when they learn that the handsome shock when they learn that the handsome popular and wonderful Constantine has popular and wonderful Constantine has popular and wonderful Constantine has been bypassed but it is more likely that been bypassed but it is more likely that been bypassed but it is more likely that everyone knew what the score was going everyone knew what the score was going everyone knew what the score was going into the ceremony into the ceremony into the ceremony itself whatever their level of surprise itself whatever their level of surprise itself whatever their level of surprise was when they first heard the news when was when they first heard the news when was when they first heard the news when Diocesan formally introduced the new Diocesan formally introduced the new Diocesan formally introduced the new Caesars the choices were already known Caesars the choices were already known Caesars the choices were already known so the probability that there were so the probability that there were so the probability that there were Audible gasps and unhappy rabble rabble Audible gasps and unhappy rabble rabble Audible gasps and unhappy rabble rabble wabbling is wabbling is wabbling is low that being said there was definitely low that being said there was definitely low that being said there was definitely a faction within the army that was not a faction within the army that was not a faction within the army that was not at all happy Constantine and to a lesser at all happy Constantine and to a lesser at all happy Constantine and to a lesser extent maxentius had been cast extent maxentius had been cast extent maxentius had been cast aside the man who was probably least aside the man who was probably least aside the man who was probably least happy of all was constantius the new happy of all was constantius the new happy of all was constantius the new Augustus of the Augustus of the Augustus of the West sure he had just been elevated to West sure he had just been elevated to West sure he had just been elevated to the highest rank in the Empire but oddly

the highest rank in the Empire but oddly the highest rank in the Empire but oddly enough the future did not look too enough the future did not look too enough the future did not look too bright for bright for bright for him because he was not just dealing with him because he was not just dealing with him because he was not just dealing with the fact that his son had not been named the fact that his son had not been named the fact that his son had not been named Caesar Caesar Caesar but also with the fact that maximinus but also with the fact that maximinus but also with the fact that maximinus and seis had been this gets into to one of the other been this gets into to one of the other big mistakes Diocesan appears to have big mistakes Diocesan appears to have big mistakes Diocesan appears to have made before stepping made before stepping made before stepping down weakened physically and exhausted down weakened physically and exhausted down weakened physically and exhausted mentally there is no doubt that by the mentally there is no doubt that by the mentally there is no doubt that by the end of his Reign Diocesan was allowing end of his Reign Diocesan was allowing end of his Reign Diocesan was allowing garus to take a lead on many Imperial garus to take a lead on many Imperial garus to take a lead on many Imperial issues we saw last week how this new issues we saw last week how this new issues we saw last week how this new Dynamic likely led to the great Dynamic likely led to the great Dynamic likely led to the great persecution as the fervently persecution as the fervently persecution as the fervently anti-christian garus pushed for the anti-christian garus pushed for the anti-christian garus pushed for the persecution to be continually widened persecution to be continually widened persecution to be continually widened and deepened we see it again now in the and deepened we see it again now in the and deepened we see it again now in the choice of choice of choice of Caesars maximinus who would be Gus's Caesars maximinus who would be Gus's Caesars maximinus who would be Gus's Deputy in the East was Gus's nephew and Deputy in the East was Gus's nephew and Deputy in the East was Gus's nephew and I should mention as staunchly I should mention as staunchly I should mention as staunchly anti-christian as his uncle and searis anti-christian as his uncle and searis anti-christian as his uncle and searis was a friend of Gus's who had served was a friend of Gus's who had served was a friend of Gus's who had served alongside the new Augustus during his alongside the new Augustus during his alongside the new Augustus during his Wars in Wars in Wars in Parthia in other words both of the new Parthia in other words both of the new Parthia in other words both of the new Deputy emperors were Gus's men through Deputy emperors were Gus's men through Deputy emperors were Gus's men through and and and through unfortunately it seems that through unfortunately it seems that through unfortunately it seems that Diocesan simply did not take constantius Diocesan simply did not take constantius Diocesan simply did not take constantius feelings into account when he allowed feelings into account when he allowed feelings into account when he allowed garius to impose his own candidates on garius to impose his own candidates on garius to impose his own candidates on the the the tetrarchy and I don't mean that tetrarchy and I don't mean that tetrarchy and I don't mean that constantius feelings were hurt in a constantius feelings were hurt in a constantius feelings were hurt in a touchy feely kind of way I mean that the

touchy feely kind of way I mean that the touchy feely kind of way I mean that the balance of power within the tetrarchy balance of power within the tetrarchy balance of power within the tetrarchy was immediately thrown out of whack the was immediately thrown out of whack the was immediately thrown out of whack the Augustus of the West Was now isolated Augustus of the West Was now isolated Augustus of the West Was now isolated and without allies and without allies and without allies this did not bode well for the future this did not bode well for the future this did not bode well for the future stability of the system it might not have been a big deal system it might not have been a big deal had constantius and garius gotten along had constantius and garius gotten along had constantius and garius gotten along but unfortunately it was the other thing but unfortunately it was the other thing but unfortunately it was the other thing they did not like each other personally they did not like each other personally they did not like each other personally and they did not get along and they did not get along and they did not get along professionally which is no doubt why professionally which is no doubt why professionally which is no doubt why garius was Keen to make sure he garius was Keen to make sure he garius was Keen to make sure he controlled both of the new controlled both of the new controlled both of the new Caesars the issue of the Christian Caesars the issue of the Christian Caesars the issue of the Christian persecution amply demonstrates how persecution amply demonstrates how persecution amply demonstrates how opposite the two new brother augusti opposite the two new brother augusti opposite the two new brother augusti were on the one hand you have garas were on the one hand you have garas were on the one hand you have garas widely seen as the driving force behind widely seen as the driving force behind widely seen as the driving force behind the persecution and certainly its most the persecution and certainly its most the persecution and certainly its most zealous advocate and on the other you zealous advocate and on the other you zealous advocate and on the other you have constantius who did his level best have constantius who did his level best have constantius who did his level best to just ignore the whole thing as a to just ignore the whole thing as a to just ignore the whole thing as a disruptive exercise in pointless disruptive exercise in pointless disruptive exercise in pointless cruelty with Diocesan and maximian cruelty with Diocesan and maximian cruelty with Diocesan and maximian standing above them the two Caesars standing above them the two Caesars standing above them the two Caesars could pull in these opposite directions could pull in these opposite directions could pull in these opposite directions and the center would hold but now that and the center would hold but now that and the center would hold but now that garius and constantius were the Austy garius and constantius were the Austy garius and constantius were the Austy well pulling in opposite directions well pulling in opposite directions well pulling in opposite directions meant that the center would be ripped in meant that the center would be ripped in meant that the center would be ripped in half or as garius no doubt hoped ripped half or as garius no doubt hoped ripped half or as garius no doubt hoped ripped into his three quarters to constantius into his three quarters to constantius into his three quarters to constantius as one quarter in a number of fundamental ways quarter in a number of fundamental ways then dian's dream of a permanent then dian's dream of a permanent then dian's dream of a permanent tetrarchy was doomed the minute he

tetrarchy was doomed the minute he tetrarchy was doomed the minute he abdicated Not only was the new force of abdicated Not only was the new force of abdicated Not only was the new force of tetrarchs disunited but there were two tetrarchs disunited but there were two tetrarchs disunited but there were two men standing outside the system men standing outside the system men standing outside the system Constantine and Max Sanchez who felt Constantine and Max Sanchez who felt Constantine and Max Sanchez who felt they had every right to be inside of it they had every right to be inside of it they had every right to be inside of it and were prepared to fight for their and were prepared to fight for their and were prepared to fight for their inheritance on top of that maximan was inheritance on top of that maximan was inheritance on top of that maximan was still hanging around on the edges in his still hanging around on the edges in his still hanging around on the edges in his forced retirement just itching to get forced retirement just itching to get forced retirement just itching to get back in the back in the back in the game this was not a recipe for success game this was not a recipe for success game this was not a recipe for success and on more than one occasion the and on more than one occasion the and on more than one occasion the various players begged Diocesan the various players begged Diocesan the various players begged Diocesan the indispensable man of his age to come out indispensable man of his age to come out indispensable man of his age to come out of retirement of retirement of retirement but once gone Diocesan insisted that he but once gone Diocesan insisted that he but once gone Diocesan insisted that he was going to stay gone they would have was going to stay gone they would have was going to stay gone they would have to work it out for to work it out for to work it out for themselves sadly for Diocesan though themselves sadly for Diocesan though themselves sadly for Diocesan though they did not and even more sadly he they did not and even more sadly he they did not and even more sadly he lived to see it all as he did not have lived to see it all as he did not have lived to see it all as he did not have the Good Sense To Die quickly after the Good Sense To Die quickly after the Good Sense To Die quickly after abdicating like Salah had abdicating like Salah had abdicating like Salah had done instead Dian would live long enough done instead Dian would live long enough done instead Dian would live long enough to see the Empire sucked back into to to see the Empire sucked back into to to see the Empire sucked back into to exactly the kind of running Civil War he exactly the kind of running Civil War he exactly the kind of running Civil War he thought he he had put a stop to way back thought he he had put a stop to way back thought he he had put a stop to way back in in in 285 and by the very end he would live 285 and by the very end he would live 285 and by the very end he would live long enough to see his own personal long enough to see his own personal long enough to see his own personal influence count for nothing as he would influence count for nothing as he would influence count for nothing as he would be forced to use goet in an attempt to be forced to use goet in an attempt to be forced to use goet in an attempt to secure the safety of his own wife and secure the safety of his own wife and secure the safety of his own wife and daughter who were trapped in the court daughter who were trapped in the court daughter who were trapped in the court of the new Augustus maximinus Dia who of the new Augustus maximinus Dia who of the new Augustus maximinus Dia who appeared to have no interest at all in appeared to have no interest at all in appeared to have no interest at all in granting the requests of some irrelevant granting the requests of some irrelevant granting the requests of some irrelevant cabbage

farmer I want to close this week by farmer I want to close this week by making a brief and sad foray into making a brief and sad foray into making a brief and sad foray into current current current events as you probably know an events as you probably know an events as you probably know an earthquake ripped through Christ Church earthquake ripped through Christ Church earthquake ripped through Christ Church New Zealand on February the 22nd leaving New Zealand on February the 22nd leaving New Zealand on February the 22nd leaving the city devastated many of its the city devastated many of its the city devastated many of its residents homeless and basic services residents homeless and basic services residents homeless and basic services like water power and sewage severely like water power and sewage severely like water power and sewage severely disrupted the history of Rome Community disrupted the history of Rome Community disrupted the history of Rome Community includes listeners from all over the includes listeners from all over the includes listeners from all over the world and I have gotten many an email world and I have gotten many an email world and I have gotten many an email with the NZ tag in fact one of the with the NZ tag in fact one of the with the NZ tag in fact one of the questions I answered during the H 100th questions I answered during the H 100th questions I answered during the H 100th episode came from a Christ Church episode came from a Christ Church episode came from a Christ Church resident who recently got in touch with resident who recently got in touch with resident who recently got in touch with me to say that number one he is okay and me to say that number one he is okay and me to say that number one he is okay and number two that the city is in pretty number two that the city is in pretty number two that the city is in pretty bad bad bad shape so attached to this week's post at shape so attached to this week's post at shape so attached to this week's post at the historyof rome. typepad.com is a the historyof rome. typepad.com is a the historyof rome. typepad.com is a link to the Red Cross New Zealand link to the Red Cross New Zealand link to the Red Cross New Zealand earthquake appeal site if you were earthquake appeal site if you were earthquake appeal site if you were thinking about donating to the show in thinking about donating to the show in thinking about donating to the show in appreciation for my efforts this week appreciation for my efforts this week appreciation for my efforts this week just go ahead and pass on over to the just go ahead and pass on over to the just go ahead and pass on over to the Red Cross right now I think the good Red Cross right now I think the good Red Cross right now I think the good people of Christ Church need it more people of Christ Church need it more people of Christ Church need it more than I do than I do than I do [Music]

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 130 Lost In transition when Diocesan and maximian transition when Diocesan and maximian stepped aside in 305 ad there was a stepped aside in 305 ad there was a stepped aside in 305 ad there was a great deal of hope that their abdication great deal of hope that their abdication great deal of hope that their abdication would be merely the first in a long line would be merely the first in a long line would be merely the first in a long line of voluntary Imperial of voluntary Imperial of voluntary Imperial retirement going forward the dream was retirement going forward the dream was retirement going forward the dream was essentially for future tetrarchs to rule essentially for future tetrarchs to rule essentially for future tetrarchs to rule for 10 years as a Caesar and then for for 10 years as a Caesar and then for for 10 years as a Caesar and then for another 10 years as an Augustus before another 10 years as an Augustus before another 10 years as an Augustus before abdicating in favor of their junior abdicating in favor of their junior abdicating in favor of their junior colleagues which would begin the whole colleagues which would begin the whole colleagues which would begin the whole cycle over again the Imperial regime cycle over again the Imperial regime cycle over again the Imperial regime would thus be perpetually renewed would thus be perpetually renewed would thus be perpetually renewed perpetually refreshed and perpetually perpetually refreshed and perpetually perpetually refreshed and perpetually free of dynastic free of dynastic free of dynastic struggles the foundation for all of this struggles the foundation for all of this struggles the foundation for all of this had been dug and the concrete poured by had been dug and the concrete poured by had been dug and the concrete poured by dioclesian The Challenge now would be dioclesian The Challenge now would be dioclesian The Challenge now would be getting the cement to set the challenge getting the cement to set the challenge getting the cement to set the challenge they would have to be met by the new set they would have to be met by the new set they would have to be met by the new set of four tetrarchs garus constantius seis of four tetrarchs garus constantius seis of four tetrarchs garus constantius seis and maximinus and maximinus and maximinus Dia that the tetrarchy would eventually Dia that the tetrarchy would eventually Dia that the tetrarchy would eventually fall apart is perhaps predictable that fall apart is perhaps predictable that fall apart is perhaps predictable that it would begin to fall apart after less it would begin to fall apart after less it would begin to fall apart after less than a year however came as a bit of a surprise as I mentioned last week there surprise as I mentioned last week there was tension right from the beginning was tension right from the beginning was tension right from the beginning internally because the two knew AUST internally because the two knew AUST internally because the two knew AUST were not exactly best friends and were not exactly best friends and were not exactly best friends and externally because Constantine and externally because Constantine and externally because Constantine and maxentius had been left out in the maxentius had been left out in the maxentius had been left out in the cold I'll leave the former issue for the

cold I'll leave the former issue for the cold I'll leave the former issue for the moment since the Rivalry between garius moment since the Rivalry between garius moment since the Rivalry between garius and constantius is about to become moot and constantius is about to become moot and constantius is about to become moot anyway and instead focus on the two anyway and instead focus on the two anyway and instead focus on the two Imperial sons who had been denied what Imperial sons who had been denied what Imperial sons who had been denied what they believed was their rightful they believed was their rightful they believed was their rightful inheritance because their rivalry with inheritance because their rivalry with inheritance because their rivalry with the official tetrarchy and then their the official tetrarchy and then their the official tetrarchy and then their rivalry with one another has a long way rivalry with one another has a long way rivalry with one another has a long way to go before constant will render all to go before constant will render all to go before constant will render all rivalries rivalries rivalries moot Marcus Aurelius Valerius maxentius moot Marcus Aurelius Valerius maxentius moot Marcus Aurelius Valerius maxentius was born in the late 270s ad and was the was born in the late 270s ad and was the was born in the late 270s ad and was the only son of maximan who at that time was only son of maximan who at that time was only son of maximan who at that time was still just a high ranking general still just a high ranking general still just a high ranking general serving under the emperor serving under the emperor serving under the emperor Probus when Diocesan tapped Max Simeon Probus when Diocesan tapped Max Simeon Probus when Diocesan tapped Max Simeon to be his fellow Augustus in 285 the to be his fellow Augustus in 285 the to be his fellow Augustus in 285 the expectations for young Max Sanchez expectations for young Max Sanchez expectations for young Max Sanchez naturally naturally naturally skyrocketed a Diocesan had one daughter skyrocketed a Diocesan had one daughter skyrocketed a Diocesan had one daughter and no sons and maximan had two and no sons and maximan had two and no sons and maximan had two daughters and just the one daughters and just the one daughters and just the one son the Imperial daughters could and son the Imperial daughters could and son the Imperial daughters could and would be used to secure dynastic would be used to secure dynastic would be used to secure dynastic alliances but maxentius stood alone as alliances but maxentius stood alone as alliances but maxentius stood alone as the only blood son of an emperor that he the only blood son of an emperor that he the only blood son of an emperor that he would become emperor himself one day was would become emperor himself one day was would become emperor himself one day was therefore practically a foregone therefore practically a foregone therefore practically a foregone conclusion but as he grew up mxenes conclusion but as he grew up mxenes conclusion but as he grew up mxenes found himself not really being groomed found himself not really being groomed found himself not really being groomed for much of anything he received a First for much of anything he received a First for much of anything he received a First Rate education and all that but in his Rate education and all that but in his Rate education and all that but in his teenage years just as previous air teenage years just as previous air teenage years just as previous air presumptives had begun to receive the presumptives had begun to receive the presumptives had begun to receive the honors and assignments that had marked honors and assignments that had marked honors and assignments that had marked their path to power macenas was instead their path to power macenas was instead their path to power macenas was instead granted no special favors and given no

granted no special favors and given no granted no special favors and given no extraordinary extraordinary extraordinary commands with the elevation of garius commands with the elevation of garius commands with the elevation of garius and constantius in 293 maxentius his and constantius in 293 maxentius his and constantius in 293 maxentius his future was clouded still future was clouded still future was clouded still further there was no hope now that he further there was no hope now that he further there was no hope now that he would directly succeed his father but would directly succeed his father but would directly succeed his father but that was okay he was after all still that was okay he was after all still that was okay he was after all still young if the tetrarchy as established young if the tetrarchy as established young if the tetrarchy as established was going to continue then eventually was going to continue then eventually was going to continue then eventually there would be new Caesars appointed there would be new Caesars appointed there would be new Caesars appointed when garius and constantius were when garius and constantius were when garius and constantius were promoted to promoted to promoted to fusti that then would be his moment to fusti that then would be his moment to fusti that then would be his moment to shine his marriage to Gus's daughter shine his marriage to Gus's daughter shine his marriage to Gus's daughter certainly fanned the Flames of his certainly fanned the Flames of his certainly fanned the Flames of his ambition as that was exactly how garius ambition as that was exactly how garius ambition as that was exactly how garius and constantius had been brought into and constantius had been brought into and constantius had been brought into the family before they were formally the family before they were formally the family before they were formally invited to become invited to become invited to become Caesars but in 305 now in his mid 20s Caesars but in 305 now in his mid 20s Caesars but in 305 now in his mid 20s and fully ready to fulfill his Destiny and fully ready to fulfill his Destiny and fully ready to fulfill his Destiny Mex cious was instead slapped in the Mex cious was instead slapped in the Mex cious was instead slapped in the face he found out along with everyone face he found out along with everyone face he found out along with everyone else that he would not be named Caesar else that he would not be named Caesar else that he would not be named Caesar instead two men from outside the family instead two men from outside the family instead two men from outside the family would be elevated in his would be elevated in his would be elevated in his place some say that garas did not like place some say that garas did not like place some say that garas did not like maxentius and so used his influence to maxentius and so used his influence to maxentius and so used his influence to deny him the prize but others say that deny him the prize but others say that deny him the prize but others say that Diocesan was explicitly trying to break Diocesan was explicitly trying to break Diocesan was explicitly trying to break the cycle of blood inheritance and so the cycle of blood inheritance and so the cycle of blood inheritance and so made it a point to ensure Maxes and made it a point to ensure Maxes and made it a point to ensure Maxes and Constantine were kept out Constantine were kept out Constantine were kept out whatever the reasons maxentius went into whatever the reasons maxentius went into whatever the reasons maxentius went into a slow a slow a slow burn his counterpart in all this and burn his counterpart in all this and burn his counterpart in all this and soon to be arch rival in all this is a

soon to be arch rival in all this is a soon to be arch rival in all this is a man who need to know introduction which man who need to know introduction which man who need to know introduction which is why it is about time that we is why it is about time that we is why it is about time that we introduced him Constantine the introduced him Constantine the introduced him Constantine the Great flavius Valerius constantinus was Great flavius Valerius constantinus was Great flavius Valerius constantinus was born in the early 270s ad in moesia born in the early 270s ad in moesia born in the early 270s ad in moesia making him just about 5 years older than making him just about 5 years older than making him just about 5 years older than Max Max Max however due to the career arcs of their however due to the career arcs of their however due to the career arcs of their respective fathers Constantine star respective fathers Constantine star respective fathers Constantine star would Trail mauses by a good eight would Trail mauses by a good eight would Trail mauses by a good eight years with his father constantly away years with his father constantly away years with his father constantly away fighting alongside first aelian then fighting alongside first aelian then fighting alongside first aelian then Probus then Dian and then maximan Probus then Dian and then maximan Probus then Dian and then maximan Constantine never really developed much Constantine never really developed much Constantine never really developed much of a relationship with his father not of a relationship with his father not of a relationship with his father not that they were in any way antagonistic that they were in any way antagonistic that they were in any way antagonistic towards each other just that you know towards each other just that you know towards each other just that you know they didn't really know each other they didn't really know each other they didn't really know each other as a result Constantine grew close to as a result Constantine grew close to as a result Constantine grew close to his mother Helena a lowborn woman who his mother Helena a lowborn woman who his mother Helena a lowborn woman who was either constantius his wife or was either constantius his wife or was either constantius his wife or mistress depending on who you talk mistress depending on who you talk mistress depending on who you talk to the teenage Constantine was thus to the teenage Constantine was thus to the teenage Constantine was thus shocked when he was told one day that shocked when he was told one day that shocked when he was told one day that his father was marrying another woman his father was marrying another woman his father was marrying another woman Theodora the daughter of the western Theodora the daughter of the western Theodora the daughter of the western Emperor Emperor Emperor maximan this turn of events was maximan this turn of events was maximan this turn of events was simultaneously a boon to Constantine and simultaneously a boon to Constantine and simultaneously a boon to Constantine and a potential death a potential death a potential death blow on the one hand his father was now blow on the one hand his father was now blow on the one hand his father was now the son-in-law of an emperor and that the son-in-law of an emperor and that the son-in-law of an emperor and that has to be good news for your career but has to be good news for your career but has to be good news for your career but on the other hand any children born of on the other hand any children born of on the other hand any children born of constantius his new marriage would constantius his new marriage would constantius his new marriage would almost certainly take precedence over

almost certainly take precedence over almost certainly take precedence over the son he had already had with some the son he had already had with some the son he had already had with some peasant ex-wife years before but whatever the new dynastic before but whatever the new dynastic Arrangement constantius never came close Arrangement constantius never came close Arrangement constantius never came close to disavowing Constantine and quite the to disavowing Constantine and quite the to disavowing Constantine and quite the contrary always declared him his contrary always declared him his contrary always declared him his rightful leading heir to doing rightful leading heir to doing rightful leading heir to doing everything he could to promote the boy's everything he could to promote the boy's everything he could to promote the boy's education and education and education and career when constantius became Caesar in career when constantius became Caesar in career when constantius became Caesar in 293 the now roughly 20-year-old 293 the now roughly 20-year-old 293 the now roughly 20-year-old Constantine was ordered to pack up his Constantine was ordered to pack up his Constantine was ordered to pack up his bags and head east where he would join bags and head east where he would join bags and head east where he would join up with the court of up with the court of up with the court of Diocesan for the remainder of the Diocesan for the remainder of the Diocesan for the remainder of the original tetrarchy run a Constantine original tetrarchy run a Constantine original tetrarchy run a Constantine would remain under the watchful eye of would remain under the watchful eye of would remain under the watchful eye of the senior Augustus because on the one the senior Augustus because on the one the senior Augustus because on the one hand it was important for the son of a hand it was important for the son of a hand it was important for the son of a Caesar to be protected and to learn what Caesar to be protected and to learn what Caesar to be protected and to learn what Imperial life was was like and so on and Imperial life was was like and so on and Imperial life was was like and so on and so on but on the other hand well hostage so on but on the other hand well hostage so on but on the other hand well hostage is such an ugly is such an ugly is such an ugly word in nicomedia Constantine happily word in nicomedia Constantine happily word in nicomedia Constantine happily entered the social and intellectual entered the social and intellectual entered the social and intellectual Circles of the Cosmopolitan City and he Circles of the Cosmopolitan City and he Circles of the Cosmopolitan City and he furthered his education there beginning furthered his education there beginning furthered his education there beginning to form the worldview that would come to to form the worldview that would come to to form the worldview that would come to change the whole change the whole change the whole world Beyond his intellectual abilities world Beyond his intellectual abilities world Beyond his intellectual abilities Constantine also showed himself to be a Constantine also showed himself to be a Constantine also showed himself to be a ready and able Soldier and in the late ready and able Soldier and in the late ready and able Soldier and in the late 290s he served on campaigns along the 290s he served on campaigns along the 290s he served on campaigns along the danu in Syria and finally in Gus's danu in Syria and finally in Gus's danu in Syria and finally in Gus's successful war with the successful war with the successful war with the cins by the end of dian's run it was cins by the end of dian's run it was cins by the end of dian's run it was crystal clear that Constantine was

crystal clear that Constantine was crystal clear that Constantine was intelligent personable athletic Brave intelligent personable athletic Brave intelligent personable athletic Brave and a natural leader of men which is and a natural leader of men which is and a natural leader of men which is either something to be revered or either something to be revered or either something to be revered or something to be feared depending on your something to be feared depending on your something to be feared depending on your point of view there is no doubt that from Gus's view there is no doubt that from Gus's point of view Constantine was something point of view Constantine was something point of view Constantine was something to be feared and as with maxentius the to be feared and as with maxentius the to be feared and as with maxentius the incoming Augustus is often blamed for incoming Augustus is often blamed for incoming Augustus is often blamed for Constantine getting frozen out of the Constantine getting frozen out of the Constantine getting frozen out of the tetrarchy but again it could have just tetrarchy but again it could have just tetrarchy but again it could have just as easily have been Diocesan wanting to as easily have been Diocesan wanting to as easily have been Diocesan wanting to table the idea of blood succession table the idea of blood succession table the idea of blood succession forever but whatever dioclesian wishes forever but whatever dioclesian wishes forever but whatever dioclesian wishes it did not mean that anyone was going to it did not mean that anyone was going to it did not mean that anyone was going to take any of this lying take any of this lying take any of this lying down the interest of the western half of down the interest of the western half of down the interest of the western half of the original tetrarchy for whatever the original tetrarchy for whatever the original tetrarchy for whatever reason had just been blatantly reason had just been blatantly reason had just been blatantly ignored if Diocesan and garius didn't ignored if Diocesan and garius didn't ignored if Diocesan and garius didn't think that was going to pose problems think that was going to pose problems think that was going to pose problems for them down the road than they were in for them down the road than they were in for them down the road than they were in for a rude awakening initially however there was awakening initially however there was little the Two snubbed Princes could do little the Two snubbed Princes could do little the Two snubbed Princes could do Constantine was particularly helpless Constantine was particularly helpless Constantine was particularly helpless because the court that had been dians because the court that had been dians because the court that had been dians the one he was presently attached to was the one he was presently attached to was the one he was presently attached to was now controlled by garius meaning that now controlled by garius meaning that now controlled by garius meaning that the new Augustus held the life of the new Augustus held the life of the new Augustus held the life of Constantine in his Constantine in his Constantine in his hands Not only would this stifle hands Not only would this stifle hands Not only would this stifle whatever seditious Ambitions Constantine whatever seditious Ambitions Constantine whatever seditious Ambitions Constantine might be dreaming up but it would also might be dreaming up but it would also might be dreaming up but it would also serve as a convenient check on serve as a convenient check on serve as a convenient check on constantius constantius constantius activities the new Augustus of the West

activities the new Augustus of the West activities the new Augustus of the West fully understood this fact and right fully understood this fact and right fully understood this fact and right away he began sending garus letters away he began sending garus letters away he began sending garus letters asking that Constantine be released but asking that Constantine be released but asking that Constantine be released but garius ignored garius ignored garius ignored him Constantine meanwhile petitioned the him Constantine meanwhile petitioned the him Constantine meanwhile petitioned the Eastern Augustus personally asking Eastern Augustus personally asking Eastern Augustus personally asking begging demanding imploring that he be begging demanding imploring that he be begging demanding imploring that he be allowed to go west and serve with his allowed to go west and serve with his allowed to go west and serve with his father Legend has it that finally in the father Legend has it that finally in the father Legend has it that finally in the midst of a drinking bout a Fed Up garius midst of a drinking bout a Fed Up garius midst of a drinking bout a Fed Up garius finally acquiesced and told Constantine finally acquiesced and told Constantine finally acquiesced and told Constantine he could go do whatever he he could go do whatever he he could go do whatever he wanted hardly pausing to pack wanted hardly pausing to pack wanted hardly pausing to pack Constantine allegedly headed west that Constantine allegedly headed west that Constantine allegedly headed west that very night crippling the horses at each very night crippling the horses at each very night crippling the horses at each post he passed along the way convinced post he passed along the way convinced post he passed along the way convinced that as soon as garus sobered up he that as soon as garus sobered up he that as soon as garus sobered up he would realize the mistake mistake he had would realize the mistake mistake he had would realize the mistake mistake he had made and come after the fleeing Constantine this exciting tale is Constantine this exciting tale is probably hyperbole but at its core lay probably hyperbole but at its core lay probably hyperbole but at its core lay the key truth that Constantine was the key truth that Constantine was the key truth that Constantine was allowed to leave and that garus had allowed to leave and that garus had allowed to leave and that garus had blundered in allowing him to blundered in allowing him to blundered in allowing him to leave all in all it probably wasn't so leave all in all it probably wasn't so leave all in all it probably wasn't so bad for garius that people thought he bad for garius that people thought he bad for garius that people thought he was drunk when he made the decision was drunk when he made the decision was drunk when he made the decision better that than for people to think better that than for people to think better that than for people to think that he had been sober that he had been sober that he had been sober whatever the real story Constantine now whatever the real story Constantine now whatever the real story Constantine now in his early 30s arrived in balone in in his early 30s arrived in balone in in his early 30s arrived in balone in the summer of 305 where his father was the summer of 305 where his father was the summer of 305 where his father was preparing for a return trip to preparing for a return trip to preparing for a return trip to Britain together for the first time Britain together for the first time Britain together for the first time really a father and son made their way really a father and son made their way really a father and son made their way across the English Channel and waged a

across the English Channel and waged a across the English Channel and waged a brief campaign against the PS who lived brief campaign against the PS who lived brief campaign against the PS who lived north of Hadrian's Wall the fighting north of Hadrian's Wall the fighting north of Hadrian's Wall the fighting went well enough for the Romans that in went well enough for the Romans that in went well enough for the Romans that in January of 306 constantius again took January of 306 constantius again took January of 306 constantius again took the title britannicus the title britannicus the title britannicus Maximus but in the background of all Maximus but in the background of all Maximus but in the background of all this his Ascension to full Augustus his this his Ascension to full Augustus his this his Ascension to full Augustus his reunion with his son his war with the reunion with his son his war with the reunion with his son his war with the pxs was the fact that constantius was a pxs was the fact that constantius was a pxs was the fact that constantius was a very sick very sick very sick man probably the worst thing that could man probably the worst thing that could man probably the worst thing that could happen to the fragile tetrarchy at that happen to the fragile tetrarchy at that happen to the fragile tetrarchy at that point was for an unpredictable illness point was for an unpredictable illness point was for an unpredictable illness or accident to take out one of the or accident to take out one of the or accident to take out one of the members before the new team could members before the new team could members before the new team could solidify but unfortunately that's solidify but unfortunately that's solidify but unfortunately that's exactly what happened in July of 306 exactly what happened in July of 306 exactly what happened in July of 306 while working up plans for a second while working up plans for a second while working up plans for a second campaign against the PS in York campaign against the PS in York campaign against the PS in York constantius suddenly died leaving a big constantius suddenly died leaving a big constantius suddenly died leaving a big gaping hole where a solid leg of the gaping hole where a solid leg of the gaping hole where a solid leg of the tetrarchic stool had once stood the life and career of constantius stood the life and career of constantius is often lost in the confusing Shuffle is often lost in the confusing Shuffle is often lost in the confusing Shuffle of the tetrarchy and when it's not busy of the tetrarchy and when it's not busy of the tetrarchy and when it's not busy being lost it's busy being overshadowed being lost it's busy being overshadowed being lost it's busy being overshadowed by the sheer gigantic of his by the sheer gigantic of his by the sheer gigantic of his son but constantius led a good and Noble son but constantius led a good and Noble son but constantius led a good and Noble life and it want to be remembered he life and it want to be remembered he life and it want to be remembered he brought Britain back into the Empire he brought Britain back into the Empire he brought Britain back into the Empire he kept the German tribes at Bay he ruled kept the German tribes at Bay he ruled kept the German tribes at Bay he ruled effectively over his territory and effectively over his territory and effectively over his territory and though we don't have polls to confirm it though we don't have polls to confirm it though we don't have polls to confirm it I would reckon that he was probably the I would reckon that he was probably the I would reckon that he was probably the most personally popular of all the

most personally popular of all the most personally popular of all the tetrarchs it doesn't seem fair then that tetrarchs it doesn't seem fair then that tetrarchs it doesn't seem fair then that he is often listed as quote Emperor he is often listed as quote Emperor he is often listed as quote Emperor merely for the years 305 to merely for the years 305 to merely for the years 305 to 306 making it look to a casual Observer 306 making it look to a casual Observer 306 making it look to a casual Observer like he was just another transient and like he was just another transient and like he was just another transient and forgettable Soldier emperor forgettable Soldier emperor forgettable Soldier emperor I think we should give him full credit I think we should give him full credit I think we should give him full credit for his whole Imperial career and say for his whole Imperial career and say for his whole Imperial career and say that constantius was about 56 years old that constantius was about 56 years old that constantius was about 56 years old when he died and that he helped rule the when he died and that he helped rule the when he died and that he helped rule the Empire well and good for just over 13 years as is often the case what happened years as is often the case what happened in the aftermath of constantius his in the aftermath of constantius his in the aftermath of constantius his death has been processed through enough death has been processed through enough death has been processed through enough propaganda and counter propaganda that propaganda and counter propaganda that propaganda and counter propaganda that it's nearly impossible to separate truth it's nearly impossible to separate truth it's nearly impossible to separate truth from from from fiction and the official version that is fiction and the official version that is fiction and the official version that is Constantine's version one of his Constantine's version one of his Constantine's version one of his father's final acts was to recommend to father's final acts was to recommend to father's final acts was to recommend to the army that they Proclaim Constantine the army that they Proclaim Constantine the army that they Proclaim Constantine Augustus when he was dead and that when Augustus when he was dead and that when Augustus when he was dead and that when he died that's exactly what they he died that's exactly what they he died that's exactly what they did other versions say that constantius did other versions say that constantius did other versions say that constantius took no part in the decision to elevate took no part in the decision to elevate took no part in the decision to elevate Constantine and that the Army did it on Constantine and that the Army did it on Constantine and that the Army did it on its own while still others state slaty its own while still others state slaty its own while still others state slaty that Constantine ambitiously engineered that Constantine ambitiously engineered that Constantine ambitiously engineered it all himself once his father was out it all himself once his father was out it all himself once his father was out of the of the of the way so again it's hard to tell what the way so again it's hard to tell what the way so again it's hard to tell what the exact cause and effect was but the end exact cause and effect was but the end exact cause and effect was but the end result was that the troops stationed in result was that the troops stationed in result was that the troops stationed in York along with the king of the alamani York along with the king of the alamani York along with the king of the alamani and his men who were present went ahead and his men who were present went ahead and his men who were present went ahead and proclaimed Constantine Augustus in and proclaimed Constantine Augustus in and proclaimed Constantine Augustus in July 306

July 306 July 306 ad news spread quickly across the west ad news spread quickly across the west ad news spread quickly across the west and in no time Constantine's claim was and in no time Constantine's claim was and in no time Constantine's claim was recognized throughout Britain and recognized throughout Britain and recognized throughout Britain and Gaul now I know what you're thinking and Gaul now I know what you're thinking and Gaul now I know what you're thinking and yes you heard that right the troops went yes you heard that right the troops went yes you heard that right the troops went ahead and named him Augustus not ahead and named him Augustus not ahead and named him Augustus not Caesar So Not only was Constantine being Caesar So Not only was Constantine being Caesar So Not only was Constantine being unilaterally inserted into the Imperial unilaterally inserted into the Imperial unilaterally inserted into the Imperial College but he was being inserted at the College but he was being inserted at the College but he was being inserted at the top of the top of the top of the Heap this as you can imagine did not go Heap this as you can imagine did not go Heap this as you can imagine did not go over well with garius his Deputy Maxim over well with garius his Deputy Maxim over well with garius his Deputy Maxim Minista nor Seas the man who was in line Minista nor Seas the man who was in line Minista nor Seas the man who was in line to actually become ausus should to actually become ausus should to actually become ausus should constantius constantius constantius die it also did not go over too well die it also did not go over too well die it also did not go over too well with maxen with maxen with maxen who was suddenly in danger of being left who was suddenly in danger of being left who was suddenly in danger of being left behind completely in the now fast-paced behind completely in the now fast-paced behind completely in the now fast-paced world of the post Diocletian tetrarchy Constantine sent a letter to tetrarchy Constantine sent a letter to garius informing the Augustus of the garius informing the Augustus of the garius informing the Augustus of the East what had happened swearing that East what had happened swearing that East what had happened swearing that none of this had been his doing that his none of this had been his doing that his none of this had been his doing that his troops had nearly forced him at spear troops had nearly forced him at spear troops had nearly forced him at spear point to become their leader so what was point to become their leader so what was point to become their leader so what was he supposed to he supposed to he supposed to do garius flew into a rage at this do garius flew into a rage at this do garius flew into a rage at this upstarts presumption not believing for a upstarts presumption not believing for a upstarts presumption not believing for a that Constantine was somehow an innocent that Constantine was somehow an innocent that Constantine was somehow an innocent third party in all third party in all third party in all this but it was also an impotent this but it was also an impotent this but it was also an impotent rage there was maddeningly enough little rage there was maddeningly enough little rage there was maddeningly enough little reason to doubt that the legions of the reason to doubt that the legions of the reason to doubt that the legions of the West along with the Allied German West along with the Allied German West along with the Allied German auxiliaries were indeed loyal to the son

auxiliaries were indeed loyal to the son auxiliaries were indeed loyal to the son of of of constantius garius could fume all he constantius garius could fume all he constantius garius could fume all he wanted but he understood that at this wanted but he understood that at this wanted but he understood that at this point only a fullscale civil war would point only a fullscale civil war would point only a fullscale civil war would be able to dislodge Constantine if the be able to dislodge Constantine if the be able to dislodge Constantine if the young Pretender chose to fight for his young Pretender chose to fight for his young Pretender chose to fight for his claim and that it would be a civil war claim and that it would be a civil war claim and that it would be a civil war whose outcome would not at all be whose outcome would not at all be whose outcome would not at all be certain so after he calmed down garius certain so after he calmed down garius certain so after he calmed down garius considered the realities of the considered the realities of the considered the realities of the situation and decided to bargain with situation and decided to bargain with situation and decided to bargain with Constantine instead of fighting with Constantine instead of fighting with Constantine instead of fighting with him he sent back a message saying that him he sent back a message saying that him he sent back a message saying that Constantine's entrance into the Constantine's entrance into the Constantine's entrance into the tetrarchy would be accepted but that it tetrarchy would be accepted but that it tetrarchy would be accepted but that it would not be as an would not be as an would not be as an Augustus instead Seas would properly Augustus instead Seas would properly Augustus instead Seas would properly receive the promotion that was coming to receive the promotion that was coming to receive the promotion that was coming to him and and Constantine would be him and and Constantine would be him and and Constantine would be ratified as the new Caesar of the ratified as the new Caesar of the ratified as the new Caesar of the West knowing that his position was West knowing that his position was West knowing that his position was strong but not absolutely so Constantine strong but not absolutely so Constantine strong but not absolutely so Constantine accepted the accepted the accepted the deal he was playing a long game and deal he was playing a long game and deal he was playing a long game and playing it for playing it for playing it for Keeps the first thing he needed was Keeps the first thing he needed was Keeps the first thing he needed was legitimacy and that is exactly what legitimacy and that is exactly what legitimacy and that is exactly what garius was offering everything else garius was offering everything else garius was offering everything else would come in its own Due Time meanwhile down in Rome maxentius Time meanwhile down in Rome maxentius stewed unhappily over this development stewed unhappily over this development stewed unhappily over this development it was one thing for both he and it was one thing for both he and it was one thing for both he and Constantine to be left out of the Constantine to be left out of the Constantine to be left out of the tetrarchy but with Constantine now in tetrarchy but with Constantine now in tetrarchy but with Constantine now in why was maxentius still why was maxentius still why was maxentius still out it was a question that began to be out it was a question that began to be out it was a question that began to be asked not just within Max census's Inner asked not just within Max census's Inner asked not just within Max census's Inner Circle but also within the Senate of

Circle but also within the Senate of Circle but also within the Senate of Rome though their reasons for talking Rome though their reasons for talking Rome though their reasons for talking about it were a bit different from ma about it were a bit different from ma about it were a bit different from ma census's Max cenis was reeling from a census's Max cenis was reeling from a census's Max cenis was reeling from a personal flight the Senate on the other personal flight the Senate on the other personal flight the Senate on the other hand was looking for someone to carry hand was looking for someone to carry hand was looking for someone to carry them back to them back to them back to relevance this disgruntled prince in relevance this disgruntled prince in relevance this disgruntled prince in their midst seemed like the perfect their midst seemed like the perfect their midst seemed like the perfect guy so they stoked his resentment and guy so they stoked his resentment and guy so they stoked his resentment and wondered along with him why noble wondered along with him why noble wondered along with him why noble maxentius was being treated like a dog maxentius was being treated like a dog maxentius was being treated like a dog why they were all now slaves to this why they were all now slaves to this why they were all now slaves to this searis who nobody knew and who nobody searis who nobody knew and who nobody searis who nobody knew and who nobody really liked how much better would it be really liked how much better would it be really liked how much better would it be if Noble maxentius combined his power if Noble maxentius combined his power if Noble maxentius combined his power with that of Mighty Rome itself together with that of Mighty Rome itself together with that of Mighty Rome itself together they could seize what was rightfully they could seize what was rightfully they could seize what was rightfully theirs by the Autumn of 306 Rome was theirs by the Autumn of 306 Rome was theirs by the Autumn of 306 Rome was practically brimming over with practically brimming over with practically brimming over with revolutionary angst and when seis revolutionary angst and when seis revolutionary angst and when seis announced a new round of taxes taxes announced a new round of taxes taxes announced a new round of taxes taxes remember that the Italians were not at remember that the Italians were not at remember that the Italians were not at all used to dealing with the city all used to dealing with the city all used to dealing with the city exploded adding to this outrage Seas exploded adding to this outrage Seas exploded adding to this outrage Seas also announced in October that the also announced in October that the also announced in October that the already much diminished petorian guard already much diminished petorian guard already much diminished petorian guard was about to be officially was about to be officially was about to be officially abolished at this officers of the Guard abolished at this officers of the Guard abolished at this officers of the Guard went to Max cenes and hailed him as went to Max cenes and hailed him as went to Max cenes and hailed him as their Emperor asking him to put a stop their Emperor asking him to put a stop their Emperor asking him to put a stop to the rampant injustices of the Tyrant to the rampant injustices of the Tyrant to the rampant injustices of the Tyrant Seas Max sanches was more than ready to Seas Max sanches was more than ready to Seas Max sanches was more than ready to accept the accept the accept the offer working with the Roman nobility he offer working with the Roman nobility he offer working with the Roman nobility he quickly secured the Loyalty of southern

quickly secured the Loyalty of southern quickly secured the Loyalty of southern Italy Corsica Sardinia Sicily and most Italy Corsica Sardinia Sicily and most Italy Corsica Sardinia Sicily and most of the West African provinces of the West African provinces of the West African provinces but unlike his counterpart to the north but unlike his counterpart to the north but unlike his counterpart to the north maxentius did not presume to have maxentius did not presume to have maxentius did not presume to have himself proclaimed either Augustus or himself proclaimed either Augustus or himself proclaimed either Augustus or Caesar and instead decided the least Caesar and instead decided the least Caesar and instead decided the least antagonistic course of action would be antagonistic course of action would be antagonistic course of action would be for him to wait for garius now for him to wait for garius now for him to wait for garius now unequivocally the senior Emperor to unequivocally the senior Emperor to unequivocally the senior Emperor to recognize his claim to power but whatever leaps of power but whatever leaps of rationalization garius had been able to rationalization garius had been able to rationalization garius had been able to make when he recognized Constantine he make when he recognized Constantine he make when he recognized Constantine he was unable to make for maenas was unable to make for maenas was unable to make for maenas at least in Constantine's case one of at least in Constantine's case one of at least in Constantine's case one of the four Emperors had died and a spot the four Emperors had died and a spot the four Emperors had died and a spot was vacant but at present there was no was vacant but at present there was no was vacant but at present there was no vacancy in the tetrarchy and so there vacancy in the tetrarchy and so there vacancy in the tetrarchy and so there was no room for was no room for was no room for maxentius plus garus had acques to one maxentius plus garus had acques to one maxentius plus garus had acques to one Pretender already if he acquiesced to Pretender already if he acquiesced to Pretender already if he acquiesced to another then every General in the Empire another then every General in the Empire another then every General in the Empire would get it into its head that all you would get it into its head that all you would get it into its head that all you had to do was demand a promotion and had to do was demand a promotion and had to do was demand a promotion and that that pushover garious would then be that that pushover garious would then be that that pushover garious would then be happy to Grant your happy to Grant your happy to Grant your request so no dice for request so no dice for request so no dice for maxentius instead garius ordered seis to maxentius instead garius ordered seis to maxentius instead garius ordered seis to crush him in early 307 a Seas gathered up his him in early 307 a Seas gathered up his army and marched on Rome fully intending army and marched on Rome fully intending army and marched on Rome fully intending to return to Milan with a young man's to return to Milan with a young man's to return to Milan with a young man's head on a head on a head on a spike but as it turned out maxentius was spike but as it turned out maxentius was spike but as it turned out maxentius was no pushover and capturing Rome No Easy

no pushover and capturing Rome No Easy no pushover and capturing Rome No Easy Task this was the first real test of the Task this was the first real test of the Task this was the first real test of the aurelian walls and they performed splend aurelian walls and they performed splend aurelian walls and they performed splend ly Seas could make no Headway and the ly Seas could make no Headway and the ly Seas could make no Headway and the Romans were able to fend off his attacks Romans were able to fend off his attacks Romans were able to fend off his attacks with ease on top of that the troops SAS with ease on top of that the troops SAS with ease on top of that the troops SAS LED had just spent the last 20 odd years LED had just spent the last 20 odd years LED had just spent the last 20 odd years serving maximan and their true loyalties serving maximan and their true loyalties serving maximan and their true loyalties were not hard to deduce especially when were not hard to deduce especially when were not hard to deduce especially when they began to desert in drov to Max they began to desert in drov to Max they began to desert in drov to Max census's census's census's Banner it was at this point that maximan Banner it was at this point that maximan Banner it was at this point that maximan living a comfortable retirement down in living a comfortable retirement down in living a comfortable retirement down in southern Italy could contain himself no southern Italy could contain himself no southern Italy could contain himself no longer envoys from the Senate from the longer envoys from the Senate from the longer envoys from the Senate from the petorian guard and from his own son had petorian guard and from his own son had petorian guard and from his own son had already asked him to come out of already asked him to come out of already asked him to come out of retirement but he had so far refused to retirement but he had so far refused to retirement but he had so far refused to break his oath to Diocesan that he was break his oath to Diocesan that he was break his oath to Diocesan that he was done with done with done with politics but with SAS besing Rome and politics but with SAS besing Rome and politics but with SAS besing Rome and his old troops defecting to maxentius his old troops defecting to maxentius his old troops defecting to maxentius maximan could stay on the sidelines no maximan could stay on the sidelines no maximan could stay on the sidelines no longer he left his Villa and headed longer he left his Villa and headed longer he left his Villa and headed north when word reached the capital that north when word reached the capital that north when word reached the capital that maximan was on his way s finally maximan was on his way s finally maximan was on his way s finally recognized that his position was recognized that his position was recognized that his position was hopeless he withdrew with the troops he hopeless he withdrew with the troops he hopeless he withdrew with the troops he had left and made for Rena where he had left and made for Rena where he had left and made for Rena where he planned to regroup when maximan entered Rome he was regroup when maximan entered Rome he was happily embraced by his son and the happily embraced by his son and the happily embraced by his son and the aristocracy who both saw the usefulness aristocracy who both saw the usefulness aristocracy who both saw the usefulness of having the ex Augustus on their of having the ex Augustus on their of having the ex Augustus on their side the old man's first task would be side the old man's first task would be side the old man's first task would be to lead the Army North to capture searis to lead the Army North to capture searis to lead the Army North to capture searis and force him to abdicate which would

and force him to abdicate which would and force him to abdicate which would open the necessary spot in the tetrarchy open the necessary spot in the tetrarchy open the necessary spot in the tetrarchy for garius to go ahead and insert for garius to go ahead and insert for garius to go ahead and insert maxentius this maximan was able to pull maxentius this maximan was able to pull maxentius this maximan was able to pull off with off with off with ease Seas really was an outsider in ease Seas really was an outsider in ease Seas really was an outsider in Italy he had no friends and no stable Italy he had no friends and no stable Italy he had no friends and no stable base of power when maximian arrived in base of power when maximian arrived in base of power when maximian arrived in Rena it was just a matter of time before Rena it was just a matter of time before Rena it was just a matter of time before the city was betrayed into his the city was betrayed into his the city was betrayed into his hands so when maximan got word to searis hands so when maximan got word to searis hands so when maximan got word to searis that if the Western Augustus surrendered that if the Western Augustus surrendered that if the Western Augustus surrendered himself peacefully that he would be himself peacefully that he would be himself peacefully that he would be allowed to live searis reluctant ly allowed to live searis reluctant ly allowed to live searis reluctant ly turned himself over seeing no other way turned himself over seeing no other way turned himself over seeing no other way out his mission accomplished however a out his mission accomplished however a out his mission accomplished however a maximian revealed to the world that it maximian revealed to the world that it maximian revealed to the world that it was now dealing with a far less stable was now dealing with a far less stable was now dealing with a far less stable maximian than it had grown accustomed to maximian than it had grown accustomed to maximian than it had grown accustomed to when Diocesan was around to moderate his when Diocesan was around to moderate his when Diocesan was around to moderate his vices once the Augustus was in hand vices once the Augustus was in hand vices once the Augustus was in hand maximan immediately broke the promise he maximan immediately broke the promise he maximan immediately broke the promise he had made and had Seas had made and had Seas had made and had Seas executed we don't know exactly how old executed we don't know exactly how old executed we don't know exactly how old he was when he died but seis had rign he was when he died but seis had rign he was when he died but seis had rign first as Caesar and then as Augustus for first as Caesar and then as Augustus for first as Caesar and then as Augustus for just about a year and a just about a year and a just about a year and a half now whether it was the right thing half now whether it was the right thing half now whether it was the right thing to do is an open question a good to do is an open question a good to do is an open question a good oldfashioned coup usually demands that oldfashioned coup usually demands that oldfashioned coup usually demands that the old ruler be ruthlessly exterminated the old ruler be ruthlessly exterminated the old ruler be ruthlessly exterminated both to prevent him from coming back and both to prevent him from coming back and both to prevent him from coming back and to put everyone on notice that you mean to put everyone on notice that you mean to put everyone on notice that you mean business but in this case searis was not business but in this case searis was not business but in this case searis was not the only ruler to be reckoned with and

the only ruler to be reckoned with and the only ruler to be reckoned with and killing him especially after having used killing him especially after having used killing him especially after having used such a dirty trick to get him in hand such a dirty trick to get him in hand such a dirty trick to get him in hand did not exactly make garus amenable to did not exactly make garus amenable to did not exactly make garus amenable to Max senses' Max senses' Max senses' demands rather when Gus heard what had demands rather when Gus heard what had demands rather when Gus heard what had happened he immediately mustered his own happened he immediately mustered his own happened he immediately mustered his own Army and marched on Italy there was Army and marched on Italy there was Army and marched on Italy there was going to be hell to pay for the murder going to be hell to pay for the murder going to be hell to pay for the murder of seus facing a war with garus a war that seus facing a war with garus a war that he had hoped to avoid maxentius quickly he had hoped to avoid maxentius quickly he had hoped to avoid maxentius quickly sent emissaries North to meet and haggle sent emissaries North to meet and haggle sent emissaries North to meet and haggle with with with Constantine mxenes hoped to bring him Constantine mxenes hoped to bring him Constantine mxenes hoped to bring him over to a side but barring that to at over to a side but barring that to at over to a side but barring that to at least secure Constantine's neutrality in least secure Constantine's neutrality in least secure Constantine's neutrality in the coming the coming the coming fight Constantine again playing the long fight Constantine again playing the long fight Constantine again playing the long game did not jump at the chance to join game did not jump at the chance to join game did not jump at the chance to join with garious and instead his own offer with garious and instead his own offer with garious and instead his own offer was for neutrality and neutrality was for neutrality and neutrality was for neutrality and neutrality only the price would be a marriage to only the price would be a marriage to only the price would be a marriage to maximian daughter and Max Sis's sister maximian daughter and Max Sis's sister maximian daughter and Max Sis's sister fosta this would not only strengthen his fosta this would not only strengthen his fosta this would not only strengthen his overall claim to power after all he overall claim to power after all he overall claim to power after all he would now be directly tied to the would now be directly tied to the would now be directly tied to the Herculean Herculean Herculean Dynasty but it would also give him Dynasty but it would also give him Dynasty but it would also give him future leverage over maxentius should he future leverage over maxentius should he future leverage over maxentius should he ever need to leverage maxentius in the ever need to leverage maxentius in the ever need to leverage maxentius in the future the deal struck Constantine was future the deal struck Constantine was future the deal struck Constantine was good to his work and stayed on the good to his work and stayed on the good to his work and stayed on the sidelines when garius arrived in Italy sidelines when garius arrived in Italy sidelines when garius arrived in Italy in the summer of 307 the Eastern Augustus may have been 307 the Eastern Augustus may have been mad as hell and ready to blow maximon mad as hell and ready to blow maximon mad as hell and ready to blow maximon and Max sanches off the face of the

and Max sanches off the face of the and Max sanches off the face of the Earth but like seis he found this to be Earth but like seis he found this to be Earth but like seis he found this to be nearly nearly nearly impossible reinforced by all those impossible reinforced by all those impossible reinforced by all those troops that had been with seis initially troops that had been with seis initially troops that had been with seis initially ma Sanchez was now in an even stronger ma Sanchez was now in an even stronger ma Sanchez was now in an even stronger position than he had been before and position than he had been before and position than he had been before and this time the whole of Italy was with this time the whole of Italy was with this time the whole of Italy was with him as soon as he arrived on the him as soon as he arrived on the him as soon as he arrived on the peninsula garius found nearly every city peninsula garius found nearly every city peninsula garius found nearly every city shut to him munition stockpiled behind shut to him munition stockpiled behind shut to him munition stockpiled behind walls and hostile locals everywhere walls and hostile locals everywhere walls and hostile locals everywhere harassing his Scouts and supply harassing his Scouts and supply harassing his Scouts and supply lines valious pressed to within 60 Mi of lines valious pressed to within 60 Mi of lines valious pressed to within 60 Mi of Rome but was so frustrated in his Rome but was so frustrated in his Rome but was so frustrated in his advance that by the time he neared the advance that by the time he neared the advance that by the time he neared the city he was more than ready to come to city he was more than ready to come to city he was more than ready to come to some sort of agreement with Max sanis some sort of agreement with Max sanis some sort of agreement with Max sanis and he sent envoys to Rome to feel the and he sent envoys to Rome to feel the and he sent envoys to Rome to feel the young man young man young man out but Max sanis was not as ready to out but Max sanis was not as ready to out but Max sanis was not as ready to deal as he had once been he had bested deal as he had once been he had bested deal as he had once been he had bested one Augustus already and it looked a lot one Augustus already and it looked a lot one Augustus already and it looked a lot like he was going to do it again so why like he was going to do it again so why like he was going to do it again so why deal down had he not already proven deal down had he not already proven deal down had he not already proven himself to be the strong of them himself to be the strong of them himself to be the strong of them all the envoys were sent back with a no deal now just spinning with rage garius deal now just spinning with rage garius found himself in a position similar to found himself in a position similar to found himself in a position similar to Seas isolated in enemy territory his own Seas isolated in enemy territory his own Seas isolated in enemy territory his own troops were getting itchy feet enticed troops were getting itchy feet enticed troops were getting itchy feet enticed as they were by the lucrative promises as they were by the lucrative promises as they were by the lucrative promises Maes and his agents had been spreading Maes and his agents had been spreading Maes and his agents had been spreading among them the Eastern Augustus decided among them the Eastern Augustus decided among them the Eastern Augustus decided that his only course of action would be

that his only course of action would be that his only course of action would be a humiliating withdrawal from the a humiliating withdrawal from the a humiliating withdrawal from the peninsula but he refused to leave peninsula but he refused to leave peninsula but he refused to leave empty-handed his men were clamoring for empty-handed his men were clamoring for empty-handed his men were clamoring for something to match the rewards promised something to match the rewards promised something to match the rewards promised by maxentius and so garius maybe just to by maxentius and so garius maybe just to by maxentius and so garius maybe just to spite the Italians let his men off the spite the Italians let his men off the spite the Italians let his men off the leash they ravaged the countryside leash they ravaged the countryside leash they ravaged the countryside burning and pillaging their way burning and pillaging their way burning and pillaging their way North it may have felt good and it may North it may have felt good and it may North it may have felt good and it may have lined their pockets but if there have lined their pockets but if there have lined their pockets but if there was one thing that was going to be true was one thing that was going to be true was one thing that was going to be true from here on out it was that g arus the from here on out it was that g arus the from here on out it was that g arus the senior Augustus of the empire was now a senior Augustus of the empire was now a senior Augustus of the empire was now a supremely hated man in Italy and in Rome so that didn't take too long Rome so that didn't take too long Diocesan had retired in May of 305 and Diocesan had retired in May of 305 and Diocesan had retired in May of 305 and by the summer of 307 the tetrarchy was by the summer of 307 the tetrarchy was by the summer of 307 the tetrarchy was in in in shambles two augusti were dead one at shambles two augusti were dead one at shambles two augusti were dead one at the hands of an ex Augustus no less the hands of an ex Augustus no less the hands of an ex Augustus no less Constantine had snuck in through the Constantine had snuck in through the Constantine had snuck in through the back door and maxen discont controlled back door and maxen discont controlled back door and maxen discont controlled Italy in Africa even though he operated Italy in Africa even though he operated Italy in Africa even though he operated in no legitimate in no legitimate in no legitimate capacity as garius sulked his way back capacity as garius sulked his way back capacity as garius sulked his way back to nicomedia he tried to figure out how to nicomedia he tried to figure out how to nicomedia he tried to figure out how it had all gone so wrong so fast he it had all gone so wrong so fast he it had all gone so wrong so fast he thought he had stacked the deck to his thought he had stacked the deck to his thought he had stacked the deck to his Advantage but when the hand played out Advantage but when the hand played out Advantage but when the hand played out he wound up losing half the Empire it he wound up losing half the Empire it he wound up losing half the Empire it just didn't make just didn't make just didn't make sense the only man he could think of who sense the only man he could think of who sense the only man he could think of who might be able to make sense of it all might be able to make sense of it all might be able to make sense of it all and who could maybe figure out a way to

and who could maybe figure out a way to and who could maybe figure out a way to get things back on track was Dao Clan get things back on track was Dao Clan get things back on track was Dao Clan who had so far refused any invitation to who had so far refused any invitation to who had so far refused any invitation to get involved next time though garius will involved next time though garius will finally succeed in convincing Diocesan finally succeed in convincing Diocesan finally succeed in convincing Diocesan to temporarily give up his to temporarily give up his to temporarily give up his cabbages the old senior Augustus cannot cabbages the old senior Augustus cannot cabbages the old senior Augustus cannot have been happy with the way things had have been happy with the way things had have been happy with the way things had gone since he retired and I guess he gone since he retired and I guess he gone since he retired and I guess he figured that the time had finally come figured that the time had finally come figured that the time had finally come for him to throw his weight behind some for him to throw his weight behind some for him to throw his weight behind some kind of settlement they would get the kind of settlement they would get the kind of settlement they would get the Tet tury working Tet tury working Tet tury working again I say next time because again I say next time because again I say next time because unfortunately there will be no episode unfortunately there will be no episode unfortunately there will be no episode next week but we will be back in two next week but we will be back in two next week but we will be back in two weeks to cover the Imperial Summit that weeks to cover the Imperial Summit that weeks to cover the Imperial Summit that will solve all the problems that had will solve all the problems that had will solve all the problems that had cropped up since dian's abdication and cropped up since dian's abdication and cropped up since dian's abdication and in so doing create a whole bunch of new in so doing create a whole bunch of new in so doing create a whole bunch of new ones ones ones [Music]