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In the previous article, we tackled Tacitus Caesar, who was a member of the Roman Senate, and had clashes with the soldiers who killed him later. Probus Caesar succeeded him; he was a good, brave, upright man, respected by all, just and good doer for the sake of the country, he was killed by his soldiers as well, that his death was considered a massive loss. Carus Caesar assumed power after him, then followed his two sons Carinus and Numerian. Afterwards, power was assumed by Diocletian, the following Caesar of Rome.
Diocletian Caesar (284 – 305 AD)
Diocletian was born in an infamous family, but even some writers and historians considered it a lowly family in one of the Roman Empire provinces in the city of Salona, Dalmatia state, in the province of Illyria. He worked as a horse handler in the imperial barns. He joined military, and via his wit, he rose through the ranks of the military to become Roman cavalry commander to the Emperor Carus, then he became the commander of the Imperial Guard. After the deaths of Carus and his son Numerian on campaign in Persia, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor of Rome, while the title was also claimed by Carinus, but they fought until Carinus was killed and Diocletian assumed the power of Rome. His era is an end to the crisis of the empire in the third century.
Diocletian was best known for his military and political skills, and he is considered one of the most eminent emperors who ruled Rome. His way in managing the country affairs was similar to that previously used by August Caesar – the first Roman emperor – as in his tendency to organize the country affairs and firmness. He aimed at attaining peace and reconciliation instead of wars, so historians counted him as one of the most important Roman Caesars.
When he assumed the power, he felt the need for someone to support him in ruling and sharing the burdens of the kingdom. He appointed commander Maximianus as a partner in the country rule, granting him the title August, who had been raised in the army, showing great courage and superiority. Diocletian divided the rule between him and Maximianus; he took the management of the eastern provinces while Maximianus took over the western provinces.
In 293 AD, Gallerius and Constantine were appointed assistant Caesars to the emperors, making the empire under a fourfold rule: two emperors nicknamed August, and two other Caesars of a lower rank. This period was called the fourfold rule period. In this fourfold state, Gallerius assisted Diocletian, while Constantine supported Maximianus.
Although this tetrarchy had a positive impact on the affairs of the state; which had been strengthened and had regained its power and glory, Diocletian managed to secure the empire’s borders from the enemies’ attacks, and to crush those who seek to monopolize the country’s rule. Constantine managed to defeat the French, German and English tribes, Gallerius achieved victory over the Persians, but there were negative aspects because of the internal conflicts aiming it taking exclusive possession of the country.
Diocletian worked on improving the country affairs administratively, concerned with the provisions, laws and legislation, he divided and expanded the military and civil services of the empire, establishing the largest and most bureaucratic governments in the history of the empire. He also helped to stabilize the empire economically and militarily, which supported it for a long time after it had been almost collapsing, with an interest in introducing some Eastern customs, such as manifestations of the king according to the kings of the East.
About Diocletian, some historical books recount that he demanded to be respected and worshipped as the greatest priest of the god Jupiter! He also called himself “the Lord and the Master of the World”! No one was allowed to approach him except kneeling and kissing the edge of his clothes, while he would be seated on the throne wearing the finest clothes of silk and gold! Diocletian wore a crown of wide ring with pearls, and shoes with precious stones! Despite his remarkable excellence in war and management, he was very susceptible to superstition; he used to consult the fortune tellers and the priests of the idols before launching any projects.
As for Egypt under his reign; it was his portion. The ruler of Egypt then – whose name was Agilah – was attempting to gain independence of Egypt away from the Roman Empire. Diocletian led great armies to meet him and besieged Alexandria for eight months until he conquered it, took over it, and killed this governor. About this, Al-Maqrizi says: [And the people of Egypt and Alexandria attempted to disobey him, so he sent an immense army and killed multitudes of them].
Diocletian embarked on the most severe Roman persecution against Christians in Egypt. It was a terrible persecution, that the Copts decided to let the beginning of his rule mark the beginning of their Coptic calendar and a date for the events, and they called it “The Calendar of the Martyrs” due to the abundant blood that was shed then. Al-Maqrizi also commented: [And he tormented the Christians and shed their blood, closed their churches, prevented the Christian religion, coerced people on apostasy and idolatry, and exaggerated greatly in killing the Christians. He was the last Roman king to worship idols].
Diocletian and his persecution against Christians
Diocletian’s rule began filled with tolerance towards Christians for a long time, but rather his palace and the state posts were occupied by a large number of Christians. Some had even said that his wife Prisca and his daughter Valeria were Christians, or at least were sympathetic towards Christians.
As for the cause of his persecution against the Christians, it goes back to a story that one day the emperor took his armies and headed to the temple of the gods to consult them about something. This gave the pagan priest a chance of a calumny against the Christians, he told the emperor that the gods could not declare their opinion in the presence of their enemies- he meant the Christians – The emperor believed his claims and expelled all the Christians, then he ordered them to offer sacrifices to please the pagan gods.
But there is a consensus among historians that Diocletian’s change turning to hatred and hostility towards Christians is due to his assistant Gallerius, who was a cruel pagan fanatic by his nature, and did not cease to instruct Diocletian about the importance and necessity of eliminating the Church.
In February 303 AD, a decree was issued to destroy churches, burn holy books, expel all high-ranking Christians, deprive them of their civil rights, deprive slaves of freedom if they insist on adhering to Christianity, and punish anyone who would contravene these orders.
The decree was spread in the country and Roman provinces, and death was the destiny of those who rejected. The hatred of Diocletian and his hostility against Christians increased, and the waves of persecution broke throughout the empire like wildfire! In particular, when a fire broke out in the palace of the emperor, Gallerius accused the Christians of attempting to kill the emperor, who believed him and increased his brutality against the Christians. However, the two fires were attributed to Gallerius, who desired to provoke the emperor against the Christians. History was repeating itself when Rome had been burnt and the Christians were in charge of the fire, and this had been the first reason that instigated persecution by Nero.
Two consecutive decrees followed in the same year; the first was about throwing all the church chiefs into prison, while the second was about torturing the Christians until they deny their faith. In April, Maximainus issued the worst decree ever, this is the fourth decree, which coerced Christians to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods, in order to eliminate all the Christians. Hence, a great series of persecutions in Egypt unleashed and…
Stories about Egypt never end!
The General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
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