Architectural Design Of Diocletian Palace

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Architectural Studies:

Diocletian Palace

Tasanee Durrett

ARC 231 History/Theory of Architecture I
Professor Schrenk
March 11th, 2014

Introduction

In the subsequent pages, I have investigated the architectural design of Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia. It will be noted the overall purpose of the residence and its materiality. The essential structural aspects and formal significances will also be investigated throughout the paper. Additionally, there is an examination of the scholarly interpretation of the residence having a militaristic lay out. Finally, the paper will include a brief description of the remains of Split from its original appearance as well as reconstructions.

Cultural Context

The Roman Emperor, Diocletian, retired from the political scene on May 1, 305, therefo¬¬re, abdicating at Nicomedia. Once he left Nicomedia, he resided at a resident that he had built at Split near his birthplace on the seaside of Dalmatia. His prior intention to retire was implied by a joint rule by four other emperors. This could indicate that the residence was still in process of construction, or possibly even finished in 305 around the time Diocletian abdicated.
Presently, there is no knowledge of who built the resident. There also has not been any evidence of a local organization or construction group that built a structure possibly related to the Palace of Diocletian. Conceivably, there is evidence that the craftsmen and builders were perhaps Greek, given that there are Greek lettered stone markers on the stone masonry throughout the structure of the residence.
Although there is limited evidence about who built the structure for Diocletian, there are significant elemen...

... middle of paper ...

...e, although seemingly evident in plan, does not seem to portray the true aspects of Diocletian. The ornamentation and architectural detail that was put into the residence is what more strongly portrayed Diocletian as a powerful emperor who significantly changed the way the people of the city resides, even after his death.

Bibliography

Downey, J.J. Diocletian’s Palace, Split: Residence of a Retired Roman Emperor. 1st ed. Great
Britain: Ian Sanders Memorial Committee, 1986.

McNally, Sheila. Architectural Ornament of Diocletian’s Palace at Split. 1st ed. Oxford: Tempus
Reparatum, 1996.

Rees, Roger. Diocletian and the Tetrarchy.1st ed. Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP, 2004.

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