When Diocletian took power:
A) he declared support for Christianity and echoed Constantine's program of toleration to strengthen his empire.
B) he followed Augustus's image of princeps rather than domus to alleviate fears of his imperial ambition and worked alongside the Senate and military to at least give the illusion of a republican government.
C) he shamelessly elevated his own family and friends to prestigious offices and used his power over the military to keep the empire in check.
D) he isolated himself from his rank-and-file soldiers and introduced an eastern style of rule, wearing a diadem and purple robes.
E) he invaded the territory of the Germanic tribes across the Danube in the East and the Rhine in the West to finally end the barbarians' threat to the empire.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diocletian is known for introducing a more autocratic and monarchic style of rule, adopting eastern royal ceremonials, including wearing a diadem and purple robes, which marked a departure from the more republican elements of earlier Roman rule. This helped to solidify the emperor's divine status and authority.

When Diocletian Took Power