What steps did Diocletian take to restore order and reform to the Roman Empire?

Answer 1

Diocletian created the tetrarchy (rule by four) and subdivided the Empire into four main administrative units, the praetorian prefectures. He appointed fellow general Maximian as co-emperor in 285. Maximian took overall control of the western part of the empire, while Diocletian took overall control of the eastern part. Then these two men became senior emperors (Augusti) with the creation, in 293, of two junior emperors (Caesars) who were subordinates of the Augusti. The Caesars Constantius and Galerius.. One of the tasks of the Caesars was to defend the troubled frontiers along the rivers Rhine and Danube respectively, which had been under constant attack from outside the empire. Two of the emperors were in the west and two were in the east. Each of emperors headed one of the four praetorian prefectures. Galliae (Gaul, Britannia and Hispania), was headed by Constantius; Italia et Africa(Italy, Switzerland and north-western Africa) was headed by Maximian; Illyricum (the Balkan Peninsula except for Thracia, in modern eastern Bulgaria) was headed by Galerius; and Oriens (Thracia, the Roman territories in Asia, Egypt and eastern Libya) was headed by Diocletian. Galliae and Italia et Africa were in the west. Illyricum and Oriens were in the east. These were administrative subdivisions. Diocletian stressed that the four praetorian prefectures were administrative units and that the empire was indivisible.

Diocletian also created imperial capitals (or better imperial seats), one for each emperor: Nicomedia (Izmir, in north-western Turkey, for Oriens), Sirmium (near Belgrade on the river Danube) for Illyricum, Mediolanum (Milan, in northern Italy) for Italia et Africa, and Augusta Trevorum (Triers in Germany near the river Rhine, for Galliae).

Answer 2

Diocletian created the tetrarchy (rule by four) and subdivided the Empire into four main administrative units, the praetorian prefectures. He appointed fellow general Maximian as co-emperor in 285. Maximian took overall control of the western part of the empire, while Diocletian took overall control of the eastern part. Then these two men became senior emperors (Augusti) with the creation, in 293, of two junior emperors (Caesars) who were subordinates of the Augusti. The Caesars Constantius and Galerius.. One of the tasks of the Caesars was to defend the troubled frontiers along the rivers Rhine and Danube respectively, which had been under constant attack from outside the empire. Two of the emperors were in the west and two were in the east. Each of emperors headed one of the four praetorian prefectures. Galliae (Gaul, Britannia and Hispania), was headed by Constantius; Italia et Africa(Italy, Switzerland and north-western Africa) was headed by Maximian; Illyricum (the Balkan Peninsula except for Thracia, in modern eastern Bulgaria) was headed by Galerius; and Oriens (Thracia, the Roman territories in Asia, Egypt and eastern Libya) was headed by Diocletian. Galliae and Italia et Africa were in the west. Illyricum and Oriens were in the east. These were administrative subdivisions. Diocletian stressed that the four praetorian prefectures were administrative units and that the empire was indivisible.

Diocletian also created imperial capitals (or better imperial seats), one for each emperor: Nicomedia (Izmir, in north-western Turkey, for Oriens), Sirmium (near Belgrade on the river Danube) for Illyricum, Mediolanum (Milan, in northern Italy) for Italia et Africa, and Augusta Trevorum (Triers in Germany near the river Rhine, for Galliae).