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  1. Seuso Research Project
  2. Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy
284–305

Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy

The period of military anarchy was ended by Diocletian of Dalmatian roots, who reorganised the administration  of the Roman Empire and established a new form of imperial rule, the dominatus. Diocletian shared the power first with Maximian from 283, then also with Galerius and Constantius Chlorus from 293. Thus were diarchia (diarchy) then tetrarchia (tetrarchy) formed, i.e. the domination of  first  two, then four co-emperors. The four tetrarchs directed different territories of the Empire from different centres. Diocletian governed the eastern provinces and Egypt from Nicomedia (today Izmit, Turkey); Galerius managed the provinces along the Danube and in the Balkans from the centre Sirmium (today Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia); Maximian ruled over Italia, the north African and Hispanic provinces from Mediolanum (today Milan); Constantius held Britannia and Gaul under his rule from Augusta Treverorum (today Trier). Due to Diocletian’s reforms, the empire experienced important administrative changes. The territory of Pannonia was divided into four new provinces around 299 or 303: Pannonia Prima, Pannonia Secunda, Valeria and Savia. Diocletian and his co-emperors, especially Galerius (293-311) who was in charge of the provinces along the Danube, launched military campaigns against the Sarmatians living on the Great Plain bordering Pannonia (285-302). In 303 during the period of the tetrarchy the most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Imperial Age took place.

The statue of the four tetrarchs (Photo: Ágnes Bencze)
Roman Empire

Statue of the tetrarchs of Venice

Cover of the first English edition in 1964
Literary work, 1932

The Gold Coffin by Ferenc Móra

  • Reign of Emperor Augustus

    Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace)
    Statue of Augustus from Prima Porta
  • “Corinthian bronze”jug and bowl with handle, Egyed

  • Roman wall paintings

  • The Conquest of Pannonia

  • Colosseum

  • Reign of Emperor Trajan

    Trajan’s Column
  • Reign of Emperor Hadrian

    Pantheon
  • Reign of Marcus Aurelius

    Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius
    Bronze portrait of Marcus Aurelius, Lugio
  • The Severan dynasty: the golden age of Pannonia

    Wall paintings from Brigetio
    Hercules mosaic, Aquincum
    Cult relief of Mithras, Sárkeszi
  • Ivory statue of Autumn (Autumnus), Savaria

  • The age of the soldier emperors

    Statue of Nemesis from the governor’s palace, Aquincum
  • Silver augur staff, Brigetio

  • Reign of Diocletian: the age of the First Tetrarchy

    Statue of the tetrarchs of Venice
    The Gold Coffin by Ferenc Móra
  • Reign of Emperor Constantine I (the Great)

    Mosaics of the Villa del Casale, Piazza Armerina
    The triumphal arch of Constantine
    The Colossus of Constantine I
    Colossal bronze statue of Constantine I
  • Foundation of Constantinople

  • Reign of Emperor Constantius II.

    Heidentor, Carnuntum
    The Kaiseraugst treasure
  • Helmet of March 15 Square, Budapest Castellum contra Teutanum

  • Imperial fibula with onyx, Szilágysomlyó

  • Reign of Emperor Julian

  • Reign of Emperor Valentinian I

  • Battle of Hadrianopolis

  • Barbarian incursions into Pannonia

    The Kőszárhegy quadripus
  • I. (The Great) Theodosius and his co-emperors

    Obelisk of Theodosius
    Gilded bronze bust of Valentinian II, Sopianae (?)
  • Fragment of glass vessel with gold foil decoration, Intercisa

  • Painted Early Christian burial chambers, Sopianae

  • Ivory diptychs

  • Sack of Rome

  • Giving up the territory of Pannonia

    Late Roman luxury villa, Nagyharsány
    The Beremend bronze plaque
  • Dethronement of Romulus Augustulus

  • Mosaics of Ravenna

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