The Roman Empire and the Tetrarchy of Diocletian, 293 - 305 CE

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Illustration

Simeon Netchev
by
published on 23 February 2024
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The Roman Empire and the Tetrarchy of Diocletian, 293 - 305 CE Download Full Size Image

A map illustrating the Tetrarchy (from the Greek tetrarchia, "leadership of four"), established by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 293 CE. It was a radical restructuring of the Roman Empire's governance system aimed at addressing its political and military challenges.

Diocletian divided the empire into four administrative units, each governed by two co-emperors: Augustus, who was the senior ruler, and Caesar, who served as the junior partner. This system of dual rule was intended to decentralize power, enhance administrative efficiency, and facilitate smoother succession. The Tetrarchy was also designed to provide a more effective defense against external threats by distributing military command across multiple regions. The Tetrarchs were expected to work together closely, with the Augusti guiding and mentoring their designated successors, the Caesars. After Diocletian and Maximian retired in 305 CE, the system began to unravel, leading to a series of civil wars and the eventual collapse of the Tetrarchic structure.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher passionate about the human stories behind past events. He believes every image should tell a story and spark interaction, while each map leads on a journey, blending imagination with education.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Netchev, S. (2024, February 23). The Roman Empire and the Tetrarchy of Diocletian, 293 - 305 CE. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18530/the-roman-empire-and-the-tetrarchy-of-diocletian-2/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Roman Empire and the Tetrarchy of Diocletian, 293 - 305 CE." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified February 23, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18530/the-roman-empire-and-the-tetrarchy-of-diocletian-2/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Roman Empire and the Tetrarchy of Diocletian, 293 - 305 CE." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 23 Feb 2024. Web. 21 Dec 2024.

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