Diocletian

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/diocletian

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Diocletian born?December 22, 242 or 245 AD
2. Where was Diocletian born?Salona, Dalmatia, Roman Empire (modern-day Croatia)
3. What is the career?Roman Emperor from November 20, 284 AD to May 1, 305 AD
4. What is the related topics?Tetrarchy, Crisis of the Third Century, Diocletianic Persecution, Roman Empire
5. What was the Tetrarchy and why did Diocletian create it?Diocletian split the empire into four parts so it could be ruled more easily. Each part had a senior emperor (Augustus) and a junior emperor (Caesar) to help with quick military responses and to avoid power fights.
6. How did Diocletian become emperor?He was a cavalry commander for Emperor Carus. After Carus and his son died, the soldiers chose Diocletian, and he beat the rival Carinus to become emperor.

Tetrarchy: A system of imperial governance established by Diocletian, dividing rule among four emperors (two Augusti and two Caesares).