he Later Roman Empire: Civil War and Shared Rule

Commodus

Son of Marcus Aurelius, his death sparked civil wars.

Septimius Severus

Last general standing after Commodus's death.

Dynasty founded by Severus

Lasted from Severus's reign until 235 AD.

Civil Wars (235-284)

Repeated conflicts over imperial succession.

Diocletian

Ruled from 284-305, stabilized the Roman Empire.

Tetrarchy

Rule by four emperors established by Diocletian.

Maximian

Co-emperor with Diocletian in the Tetrarchy.

Galerius

Caesar under Diocletian, defeated Persians in 298.

Constantius

Adopted by Diocletian, became a Caesar.

Jupiter Optimus Maximus

Chief god of Rome, associated with Diocletian.

Traditional Cult

System of religious beliefs and rituals in Rome.

Christianity's emergence

Started spreading in the late 1st century.

Decius

Emperor who initiated systematic Christian persecution in 250.

Gallienus

Ended persecution against Christians during his reign.

The Great Persecution

Severe crackdown on Christians initiated by Galerius in 303.

Edict of Serdica

Issued by Galerius in 311, ended Christian persecution.

What was the stipulation on the Edict of Serdica?

The stipulation was "You can worship but pray for the safety of our republic"

Augusti Abdicate

Diocletian and Maximian retired on May 1, 305.

Refusal to worship

Christians occasionally punished for not worshipping Roman gods.

Religious Competition

Conflict between traditional Roman gods and Christianity.

Mesopotamia

Region conquered by Galerius after defeating Persians.

Fortress Palace

Maximian built a retirement palace in Split, Croatia.

Military Size

Diocletian increased army to over 500,000 men.