Diocletian and the Roman Recovery (Roman Imperial Biographies)

First published in 1985 in the United States of America by Methuen, Inc. First published 1985 in Great Britain by Batsford. This paperback edition published 2000. "Diocletian and the Roman Recovery" tells the story of this man’s remarkable reign (284-305 AD). It explores how he faced the seemingly impossible challenge of ending half a century of military rebellion and barbarian invasion, and examines the solutions he created to restore the security and stability of the Roman empire. This eminently readable biography provides both enjoyment and sound scholarship for the student of Roman history and general reader alike. Prologue 9 PART ONE - CRISIS 13 1. The Third-Century Collapse 15 2. Virtus Illyrici 24 PART TWO - EMERGENCE 39 3. Jove and Hercules 41 4. The Tetrarchy 61 5. Victory and Consolidation - Britain, Africa, the Danube 71 6. Victory and Consolidation - Egypt and Persia 78 PART THREE - THE NEW ORDER 89 7. Defence in Depth 91 8. The Recasting of Government 102 9. Finance, Taxation, Inflation 115 10. A Command Economy 126 11. The New Order 140 PART FOUR - TRIUMPHS AND DEFEATS 151 12. The Gods are Alive 153 13. Politeia Christi 163 14. The Great Persecution 173 15. Abortive Renewal 186 PART FIVE - AFTERMATH 201 16. Constantine's Completion 203 17. In the Long Run 211 APPENDIX I. Diocletian's Provincial Reorganisation 221 II. Diocletian's Edict on Maximum Prices 224 III. Roman Emperors from Marcus Aurelius to Theodosius 228 IV. Biographical Notes 230 BIBLIOGRAPHY 231 REFERENCES 236 INDEX 259 Stephen Williams's book is the first biography of Diocletian to appear in English. It combines the historical narrative of his remarkable reign and those of his fellow-emperors, with a chapter-by-chapter study of each of the great problems he faced, the interlocking solutions he evolved to meet them, and the longer term results. It is both a portrait of one of Rome's greatest and most original rulers, and a political study in the emergence of Absolutism. Also includes four maps. Stephen Williams's book, now in paperback for the first time, remains the only biography of Diocletian in English. 'Diocletian and the Roman Recovery' provides a historical narrative of Diocletian's remarkable reign and those of his fellow-emperors, along with a chapter-by-chapter study of each of the great problems he faced, the interlocking solutions he evolved to meet them, and the longer term results.