DIOCLETIAN
Reigned: 284-305 A.D.
| GAIUS AVRELIVS VALERIVS DIOCLETIANVS was born in 240 in Dalmatia. He became Augustus after the murder of Numerian in October, 284, and he overcame Carinus at Margum to become sole Augustus in July, 285. In 286 he made Maximian co-Augustus ruling over the west (Diocletian took the east), and in 293 instituted the tetrarchic system, choosing as Caesars Constantius I and Galerius. He began to greatly persecute Christians in 303. He abdicated on May 1, 305 and retired to Dalmatia. He reformed the provincial administration, the coinage, and the army. He died of natural causes in 312 or 313.(Excerpt from MONETA from www.numus.com) |
