Diocletia In The Third Century

The third century was a great testing point for the Roman Empire. Rome had faced many difficulties in the previous years under both the Republic and now the Empire. However, in the third century things seemed to occur all at the same time. Two of the most serious external threat to the Empire was the northern frontier near the Rhine and Danube Rivers, and the growth of the Persian Empire in the east to challenge Rome’s claim.(BBC) Rome also faced instability within the internal structure of the Empire. The military and civilians did not trust those in command and this affected the rule of the emperors. Things did not start to change until there was stability to the reign of the emperor. This occurred under the rule of Diocletian and his attempts

This new system of change and reform turned more towards absolutism. Diocletian used the title Dominus, Lord and Master, to support his development of absolute power. Diocletian did not just want to stop revolts and would-be usurpers from causing chaos in the Roman Empire. He wanted to promote a stable and prosperous nation. For this change to work, Diocletian needed security in the frontiers along with the needed support in the other provinces. Religion and tradition has an important place in the Roman system. Diocletian understood the important of these two elements of the Roman society. He promoted the relationship of the tetrarchy with the divine. Diocletian began to associate himself as Jupiter or Jove. This was supported by Maximian being associated with Hercules. The use of religion by Diocletian helped promote his new imperial system and the needed power for it to be successful. The divine support helped also to re-establish where the emperor found his power. The emperor was no longer being appointed by the Senate or the military, rather it was now a divine act. He also turned to the use of many Oriental actions to promote his power as a king. These actions helped his survival as emperor as he was aware of the previous century of emperor and their short reigns. With the use of the divine protection it soon became sacrilege to kill or revolt against Diocletian. The emperor was now seen as a god, who the people could turn to for protection and safety. The people were also knowledgeable of the previous century of chaos and were looking for a stable system, which Diocletian