Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus (245?–312?), born Diocles, was Roman Emperor as Diocletian from November 20 284 to May 1 305. Diocletian brought to an end the period popularly known to historians as the "Crisis of the Third Century" (235–284). He established an autocratic government and was responsible for laying the groundwork for the second phase of the Roman Empire, which is known variously as the "Dominate" (as opposed to the Principate), the "Tetrarchy", or simply the "Later Roman Empire". Diocletian's reforms helped ensure the survival of the Western Roman Empire for another two hundred years, and the survival of the Eastern Roman Empire (later the Byzantine Empire) for another thousand.

Background

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An Illyrian of low birth (from Dioclea, near Salona), DioclesHe was the first emperor (after Philip the Arab) with a certifiably Greek name: Dioclês. This is a name similar in form to Heracles (Hêras kléos, the "fame/glory of Hera"), with the stem for "Zeus" substituted for the stem for "Hera" (Diós kléos, the "fame/glory of Zeus"). This was Latinized to Diocletianus when Dioclês became Emperor. rose through the ranks to the consulship. He was chosen by the Roman army on November 20 284 to replace Numerian; Diocles marched against Carinus, the lawful Emperor, and, in Spring 285, defeated him at the Battle of the Margus River, becoming sole ruler of the Roman Empire. He changed his name to Diocletianus upon his accession.

Previously, between 235 and 284, there had been some 20 to 25 successive Emperors in a period of about 50 years - an average of a new Emperor every two to three years. All but two of these emperors were either murdered or killed in battle.

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