Diocletian To The Fall Flashcards
What are some arguments that indicate that the collapse of the WE was a cataclysmic end of civilisation?
1) a more warlike, primitive, rural, and illiterate period was ushered in.
2) disappearance of ancient texts.
3) end of grand civic projects like aqueducts, baths etc.
4) less urban, diminished population spread across the countryside.
5) end or radical reduction in trade
What are some arguments that indicate that the collapse was merely a shift from one form of civilisation to another?
1) the proliferation of the church was not a sign of primitiveness.
2) survival of trade
3) role of bishops who reached governors. Political structure may have collapse in terms of staffing of lay people but the bishops replaced them. They rallied local militias, ensured food supply.
4) barbarian kings attempted to perpetuate Roman order. They collected taxes and attempted public works.
5) the civilisation of Western Europe after the collapse of the empire was not radically barbarised.
When did Diocletian split the empire in two?
293
Each half ruled by two emperors (1 senior Augustus and a junior Caesar)
This did not work because the Tetrarchs were only interested in being succeeded by the sons or favourites and did not effectively work together.
What were the 3rdC crises?
1) large scale barbarian invasions particularly into Gaul and the Balkans. The Alemans invaded Italy. The motivation was likely plunder and not settlement. Most likely caused by opportunism brought about by civil wars within the empire.
2) Persian attacks
3) army mutinies
4) military coups. Under Marcus Aurelius and Septimus Severus the political power of commanders had increased which led men of lowly, provincial and social background to make a bid for empire.
5) population decline
6) economic decline
7) impoverishment of countryside
8) widespread disease
9) rampant inflation
10) succession crisis, due to inability of the candidates to win lasting support over any extensive area.
How were the 3rdC crises allowed to accumulate?
The crises faced in the 3rdC were not new but the state was unable to secure peaceful conditions which would allowed the empire to regenerate.
Particularly a resurgent Persia contributed greatly to this.
What were Diocletian’s reforms?
1) administrative re-organisation: empire into 4 prefectures, 14 dioceses, 114 provinces.
2) attempt to codify Roman law
3) taxation system streamlined and re-organised.
4) prices set at a maximum by law.
5) debasement of currency
6) conformity to state religion compulsory
7) curiales or decurions were forbidden to join the army
8) the coloni were required to remain in the place where the census registered them
Describe the local government of the later Empire?
Led by the Curia
Curiales recruited from the local elite who served to gain respectability and move up the state bureaucracy. They organised the assessment and collection of direct state taxes, provided law courts, maintained public infrastructure etc.
Many provided public games, shows and monuments.
Why did the Curia decline?
1) the advance of Christianity and its anti-secular cultural ideals. Strongly opposed pagan luxury and entertainment.
2) growing interest of urban elites to acquire positions in the church and also the imperial bureaucracy rather than local city government.
3) Diocletian’s reforms had made local tax collection less lucrative.
When is the date historians consider to be the end of the WE and why?
476
This is when the barbarian chieftain Odoacer deposed emperor Romulus Augustulus and did not replace him.
He merely wrote to Constantinople and pledged loyalty, which had no practical value.
What was a reason that the Tetrarchs existed?
To keep the empire happy, creating a more accessible imperial administration which would prevent the provinces from backing usurpers.
What of the barbarian elite of the 3rd and 4thc?
Becoming increasingly powerful and tied with the roman world. The lands beyond the frontiers were fertile recruiting grounds for the Roman army, not to mention the economic, culture and diplomatic exchange across the frontier.
What factors led to the depletion of Western military strength and increased its reliance on barbarian troops?
The political dominance of the East allowed Constantinople to command a large potion of the remaining military resources.
Recurrent problems of usurpers in Britain, Gaul, and Hispania.
Increasing the western reliance on Barbarian troops.
Summarise the fall.
1) political crisis 400-10x left old military infrastructure and frontiers abandoned.
2) increased use of barbarian war bands. Settled as federates within empire.
3) military power = barbarian war leaders and personal retinues of Roman generals.
4) 451-4, collapse of the Huns, coup against Aetius => political chaos.
5) government only concerned itself with security of Italy. Provincial elites opted to deal directly with military leaders, mostly barbarian who offered power and protection.
6) recurrent raiding of Italy => increased power of magister militums, emperors came and went regularly.
7) 476, last western emperor deposed.
Why was the Valentinian dynasty important?
Important for the next major wave of Germanic invasions and for the dominance of Christianity within the imperial administration and law.
What were some of Constantine’s achievements?
Ended persecution of Christians
Promoted building of churches
Made tax concessions to the Christian clergy, restored confiscated property.
