Lecture Notes on Roman History

Focus on the transformation and administrative evolution of the Roman Empire from the Tetrarchy to the reign of Theodosius I.

Military Context: Probus fought against invasions on the Rhine and Danube rivers. Rome, previously without walls, was now fortified.
- Work began under Emperor Aurelian and was completed by Probus. (Source: Zosimus New History, 1.49.2)
Peace and Character: He campaigned extensively yet secured peace, claiming that military needs would diminish.
- Probus described as strong, active, just, morally superior to Aurelian despite military glory.
Death: Probus was killed during an uprising at Sirmium. (Source: Eutropius Summary of Roman History, 9.17.3)

Co-Rulership: Appointed his two sons as co-rulers and undertook offensive campaigns against the Persians, capturing significant towns like Seleucia and Ctesiphon.
Death: Died under mysterious circumstances—struck by lightning while in camp near the Tigris. (Source: Eutropius Summary of Roman History, 9.18)

Principate to Dominate Transition: Initiated the transition from the principate to a more authoritarian dominion characterized by a clear monarchical rule.
- Lactantius labeled Diocletian as a creator of crimes, suggesting a negative perception of his rule (Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors, 7.1).
Tetrarchy: Co-ruled with Maximian, dividing the empire into four regions, creating a system known as the Tetrarchy.
- Augusti: Diocletian (Eastern Empire), Maximian (Western Empire).
- Caesars: Galerius and Constantius Chlorus appointed to assist management at regional levels.

Geopolitical Map: Illustrates the distribution of provinces, highlighting geographical and tribal distributions across the empire around 305 CE.

Existing provinces were subdivided, leading to over 100 new administrative divisions. Dioceses were established for better governance, with vicarii appointed to oversee them.
Economic Reforms: Significant changes were made due to devaluation, inflation, and public expenditure. Discussions highlight the interplay between money supply and imperial spending.
- Coins were subject to devaluation due to the need to maintain public expenses without an adequate supply of precious metals.
Historical Examples of Devaluation: Under Emperor Nero, 96 denarii were minted from 1 pound of silver (3.41 g per denarius); Coin standards significantly declined under subsequent emperors.

Diocletian's attempts to stabilize coinage revealed through various monetary reforms and attempts to curb inflation.
- Edict of Maximum Prices (301 CE): Attempt to regulate the economy and prevent excessive prices, resulted in price increase failures leading to widespread shortages (Lactantius, On the Deaths of the Persecutors, 7.6-7).

This period was marked by severe persecutions, particularly against Christians, with unclear motives possibly linked to Diocletian’s attempts to solidify his rule.

Diocletian’s decision to retire indicated a shift in imperial authority transfer, prompting generational change in leadership.
Maxentius: After Diocletian's retirement, Maxentius declared himself Augustus, opposed by traditional claimants like Constantine.

Battle of Milvian Bridge: Key victory leading to Constantine's ascendancy and his vision reportedly received before the battle prompting the use of Christian symbols.
Religious Experience: Exploration of Constantine’s conversion and the political implications of supporting Christianity.
Edict of Milan (313): Established religious tolerance for Christianity, ending persecutions, and significantly aiding the growth of the Christian Church, reflected in societal upheaval and land acquisition by churches post-312.

Transition of basilicas in Roman architecture indicating a shift in socio-religious practices, becoming prototypes for Christian places of worship.

Establishment of Christianity: Marked a significant religious shift as Christianity was proclaimed the sole official religion of the empire.
Political Conflicts: Engaged in numerous power struggles, including the Battle of the Frigidus against his former allies.
Persecution of Paganism: Instituted strict laws against pagan practices, contributing significantly to the decline of traditional Roman religions.

Illustrative representation of imperial lineages and territorial conflicts.
Detailed references to the moral and societal implications of imperial decisions made throughout this period.
Historical context provided through accounts of contemporary historians like Ammianus Marcellinus and Lactantius, elucidating the turbulent transitions within the Roman Empire.