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Class
Date
Biography
The Fall of Rome
Diocletian
c. 245–316
WHY HE MADE HISTORY Diocletian was
the Roman emperor who, after a period of
chaos in the Roman Empire, reorganized
the empire and restored efficiency to the
government.
As you read the biography below, think about
how Diocletian’s administrative ability helped
him reorganize the empire.
Not much is known about Diocletian’s early life.
He probably served in military camps or was part
of the Roman emperor’s bodyguard. Diocletian
became a military commander in the campaign
against the Persians. During this campaign, both
the emperor and the emperor’s brother, who ruled
the Empire together, were killed. Diocletian’s troops
then named Diocletian emperor in 284.
Soon after becoming emperor, Diocletian
realized that the defending and administering the
empire was too large a job for one man. Diocletian
appointed his trusted friend, Maximian, to share
power with him. Diocletian divided his power into
east and west sectors. Diocletian kept control of the
east and Maximian controlled the west.
Eight years later, Diocletian realized that more
focus was needed on both civic and military
problems. He further divided power by naming
two “Junior Emperors,” or Caesari, under each
“Senior Emperor,” or Augustus. He chose two more
companions, Galerius and Constantius I, as the
junior emperors. Diocletian had created a four-man
rule, called the Tetrarchy. Diocletian also broke
administrative work into specializations.
VOCABULARY
bureaucracy government
divided into groups of
officials each with its
own chief
technocracy management
of government by
technical experts
mint place where coins
are made
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The Fall of Rome
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Diocletian, continued
Biography
He assigned chiefs for each specialization. This was
the beginning of our concepts of bureaucracy and
technocracy.
Diocletian reformed the army. He allowed
soldiers to retire after 20 years of service and
lowered the price of goods and services to soldiers,
which reduced their cost of living. He strengthened
the army by increasing the number of soldiers.
Diocletian made economic reforms. He
supported agricultural and building programs, and
collected taxes on individuals and on cultivated
land. Diocletian also created coins that were easy to
use and he almost doubled the number of mints.
On the negative side, Diocletian harshly
persecuted Christians. Although he had promised
that there would be no bloodshed, the persecution
was violent and resulted in many martyrs. This was
the last main persecution of Christians.
In 305, Diocletian passed his throne to younger
rulers and retired to his castle. Eventually, the new
generation of rulers fought among themselves. The
system that Diocletian had so carefully set up failed,
and the Roman Empire declined.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Describe What did Diocletian do to make the administration of the Roman
Empire easier and more efficient?
2. Make Judgments Which of Diocletian’s reforms was the most important? Do you
think that any of his reforms are needed today? Explain your answer.
ACTIVITY
3. Imagine that you are a Roman citizen about to meet with Diocletian, but you will
only have five minutes to speak with him. Write down the issue you would discuss.
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Answer Key
The Fall of Rome
Vocabulary Builder
Section 1
Biography Belisarius
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Justinian feared Belisarius had become
1. first emperor of Rome, who set many of
so popular that he might take over his
throne.
2. Possible answers: Belisarius showed his
loyalty by refusing to become emperor
to the Ostrogoths. He continued in
Justinian’s service and commanded his
military campaigns even when Justinian
did not give him enough men or money.
the powers later emperors would have
2. people who could participate in Roman
government, such as hold public office
or vote
3. human-made channels that carried water
from distant mountain ranges into Rome
or other cities
Vocabulary Builder
Section 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Biography Diocletian
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
Attila
Diocletian
corruption
Constantine
Alaric
huns
Odoacer
Clovis
1. Possible answer: Diocletian established
a four-man rule and divided the empire
into four administrative parts.
2. Accept reasonable answers.
Literature
1. He does not like them. The poem is
protesting the games and criticizes the
spectators for watching them.
2. The poet is praying for God’s forgiveness
of his sins before he dies.
Vocabulary Builder
Section 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
true
true
true
false—Theodora
false—Eastern Orthodox
true
Primary Source
Jerome’s Letter About
Attacks Against Rome
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Jerome was probably afraid of wolves for
Biography Attila the Hun
their great ability to hunt and attack. He
seems to fear the barbarians in the same
way.
2. He very likely received letters from people
in other regions who reported on what
was happening. Possibly he heard from
travelers who had been to different parts
of the empire.
3. Answers will vary. Jerome is a religious
man, and he may think that many people
in the empire are not faithful enough. He
wants to find ways to explain why so many
awful events are happening all around him.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN?
1. Possible answers: Attila waged military
campaigns against the territories
surrounding his kingdom and against the
Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
2. Possible answers: Attila waged war
against the Western Roman Empire
because the Western emperor’s sister
tried to form a separate alliance with
Attila. Attila requested her in marriage
and demanded half of the Western
Empire as her dowry. The emperor
refused so Attila attacked him.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
34
The Fall of Rome