354 ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE 



from the Barbarians, and having victoriously invaded 

 Persia beyond the Tigris, died mysteriously in December 

 284. His two sons, Carinus and Numerian, succeeded 

 him, whereof the latter died the following year. His 

 unworthy brother alienated by his vices the hearts of 

 the people, and Diocletian, commander of the Imperial 

 Body Guard, was chosen emperor. Diocletian advanced 

 to meet Carinus in Moesia, when the troops of the latter 

 were entirely victorious, but in the moment of success he 

 was stabbed in revenge for a private wrong (A.D. 285). 



With the successful Emperor Diocletian began a new 

 epoch of the Roman Empire, though he was but the son 

 of parents who had been slaves, while his mother was a 

 native of Dalmatia, which ultimately became his chosen 

 residence. The changes he effected were greatly facili- 

 tated by the length of his reign, which lasted twenty 

 years. He introduced an Oriental magnificence of 

 royalty, assuming a diadem and introducing Persian 

 ceremonial. His despotism was more concentrated than 

 ever, though administered through an enormous bureau- 

 cracy. All provincials being formally acknowledged 

 Roman citizens, the city of Rome lost still more in im- 

 portance, while the royal residence was usually either in 

 Milan or Nicomedia. Diocletian made important changes 

 in the constitution of the empire, as to which the student 

 is referred to histories of Rome. He abdicated the 

 imperial dignity 303 A.D., and retired to Dalmatia, 

 where he expired, having erected a magnificent palace 

 the ruins of which still exist at Spalatro. 



He had associated with him in power Maximian, Con- 

 stantius, and Galerius, and, after his abdication, great 

 disorder ensued. Constantius governed the province of 

 Gaul and was favourable to Christianity. He died 306 

 A.D., and his son Constantine took his place. Maximian, 



