This book aims to make accessible the sources and controversies concerning a key period in the history of the Roman Empire – the reign of Diocletian and its immediate aftermath. Diocletian was an emperor of unusual ambition, and his reign saw considerable military success, an experiment in collegiate government, a move towards provincial capitals away from Rome, a reorganisation of the administrative machinery of empire and its finances, and a committed project to persecute the Christians. In Part I, an introduction to Diocletian and the world of the late third century is followed by six thematic chapters covering a range of aspects of government and society under this emperor, including military, economic, religious and administrative affairs. These chapters discuss the original sources, highlight their strengths and weaknesses, and consider the main scholarly approaches to them. Throughout Part I there are regular cross references to the source material which is presented in Part II – this includes literary, archaeological, artistic, legal, and documentary evidence, as well as coins and inscriptions. All texts are in English, and there is a guide to further reading, a full bibliography, some questions for consideration, a glossary of technical terms, and a brief list of relevant online resources.
Author(s): Roger Rees
Series: Debates and Documents in Ancient History
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Year: 2004
Language: English
Pages: 220
City: Edinburgh
Contents
Series Editors' Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Maps
Part I Debates
Introduction: History and Narrative
Chapter 1 The Military
Chapter 2 Adminstration
Chapter 3 Economics
Chapter 4 Ceremonial
Chapter 5 Religion
Chapter 6 Unity, Succession and Legitimacy
Conclusion
Part II Documents
1 Aurelius Victor: Book of the Caesars
2 Eutropius: Breviarium
3 Festus: Breviarium
4 Epitome about the Caeasars
5 Anonymous Valesianus
6 Lactantius: On the Deaths of the Persecutors
7 Ammianus Marcellinus: History
8 Eusebius: History of the Church
9 Malalas: Chronicle
10 Zosimus: New History
11 Panegyrici Latini X(2)
12 Panegyrici Latini XI(3)
13 Panegyrici Latini VIII(4)
14 Panegyrici Latini IX(5)
15 Panegyrici Latini VII(6)
16 Panegyrici Latini VI(7)
17 Panegyrici Latini V(8)
18 Historia Augusta
19 Edict of Maximal Prices
20 Inscriptions
21 Panopolis Papyri
22 Edict of Aristius Optatus
23 Land Declaration
24 Legal Petition
25 Notitia Dignitatum, text
26 Notitia Dignitatum, Saxon Shore
27 Verona List
28 Manichaean Rescript
29 Theodosian Code
30 Justinianic Code
31 Act of St Crispina
32 Act of Felix the Bishop
33 Act of Julius the Veteran
34 Sketch of Luxor Fresco, Gardnet Wilkinson
35 Plan of Diocletian's Palace, Split
36 Plan of Tetrarchic Palace, Gamzigrad
37 Plan of the Baths of Diocletian, Rome
38 Portchester Fort, Saxon Shore
39 Senate House, Rome
40 Arch of Galerius, Thessalonica, detail
41. Constantinian Basilica, Trier
42 Maxentian Basilica, Rome
43a and b Decennalia Base, Rome, details
44 Coins of Carausius
45 Arras Medallion
46 Porphyry Group, Venice
47 Porphyry Group, Vatican Library
48 Porphyry Bust of Diocletian (?), Worcester Museum, Massachuetts
49 Porphyry Bust of Licinius (?), Egyptian Museum Cairo
50 Porphyry Bust of Galerius (?), Gamzigrad
Chronology
Further Reading
Essay Questions
Bibliography
Glossary
Websites
Index
