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Diocletian and the Roman Recovery (Roman Imperial Biographies)

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This is a well-written, fact-filled book that should be considered a must-read to any serious student of the Late Roman Empire. Diocletian has been given scant attention by Classical scholars but his stabilization of the Empire was vital for two reasons: it preserved the entire Empire for nearly 170 years after his retirement and laid the foundations for the Eastern Empire that survived until 1453 c.e.

There is also great attention given to Diocletian's separation of himself as Emperor from the Roman Army and Roman politicians. Williams lucidly points out this is the beginning of Western Civilization's "Divine Right of Kings," and the foundation of Medieval kingship. Diocletian established this separation order to secure his personal safety.

Diocletian's retirement is also given considerable attention. His retirement palace at Split is discussed in some detail. Also, the attempt of Galerius and Maximian to drag him back into politics, which he completely refused. Finally, the rather sad depiction of him as a marginalized relic who had to ask old army friends for favors in order to help secure temporary safety for his family (who were eventually murdered).

This is a great book but its great detail may overwhelm the arm-chair historian. Williams deserves many cudos for his work in bringing about the first English biography of Diocletian in some time.

The first English language biography on Diocletion and a very well written one at that. Stephen Williams is not a professional Roman historian instead he is a professor of philosophy and therin lays the books strength. Williams writes for the enthusiastic Roman buff and the general reader. Instead of quoting ancient historians ad nauseum and going off on tangents he gets to the meat of the matter. How Diocletion and his fellow emperors were able to pull the empire back from total collapse. He gives detailed explanations as to what was occurring in the Empire during the 3rd Century and why. He isn't afraid to offer his own theories where our knowledge of events are sketchy and he always keeps the book moving along at a brisk pace. I especially enjoyed the final chapter where he covers the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century. It's well written with a detailed description of what occurred and why. He also contrast the collapse of the West with the survival of the Eastern Empire. Wonderful book for the layman, student, and perhaps even the expert.

I read this for my History of the Roman Empire class and found to be an excellent book. Williams has an exceptionally clear writing style that is very easy to follow. He uses both modern and classical sources to bring to life the reign of Diocletian, an Illyrian general who through sheer personality and military discipline was able to restore the old boundries of the Roman Empire. Williams' explanations of the economic reforms of Diocletian, as well as the restructuring of the old Roman provinces into military diocese that were able to contain the unromanized barbarians is the best explanation of these events I've read. I checked this book out from the library and I'm still considering buying a copy, I enjoyed it so much. If only all history books were this well written!

I enjoyed this book. I came away from it with a radically new appreciation of Diocletian's contributions to preserving the Roman empire. The structural reforms set in motion by this soldier emporer laid the foundations not only for an empire that continued until the fall of Constantinople, but for a church whose triumph absolutely depended on them. The book left me wondering who the brains behind these important constitutional, governmental, economic and military reforms were. Obviously Diocletian must be credited with approving these innovations, and for seeing them solidly put in place. However, I doubt if the emperor, busy with beating back enemies on all frontiers, is solely responsible for such complex and far reaching reforms. Matthews ignores this aspect of Diocletian's reforms. I was turned off by the author's seeming flights of fancy regarding the inmost thoughts and motives of his hero. Matthews would have served this reviewer better by keeping to the facts and by extrapoliting from them without excessive creativity. This book is well written and researched. It is not an academic exercise, but a stimulating analysis of a man maligned by christians ever since, but to whom they owe the earthly glory of their church.

The calamitous third century almost saw the collapse of the Roman Empire. Not only did the emerging Sassanid Empire become a dominant threat, even capturing Antioch in the first offensive of Shaphur I, but to the north, the German tribes had coalesced into three major confederations, led by war-chiefs who recognized the potential booty that lay across the frontiers that stretched from the North to the Black Seas. As to internal politics, the Romans had not yet mastered the idea of imperial succession. Between Septimius Severus (who counseled that the soldiers should be taken care of and the rest forgotten) and Diocletian--a span of some 70 years, there were 26 emperors and pretenders to the purple. One died in captivity, one of the plague, one presumably of natural causes, two were killed in battle. The rest were murdered either the army or political rivals. A kind of anarchy became the permanent state of affairs. And the emperor faced with meeting a barbarian incursion, had to watch his back, as more often than not, a rival was prepared to initiate civil war.

Diocletian, who assumed power on the death of Numerian, and then went on to confirm it by defeating in battle the latter's brother--another claimant to the purple--did indeed restore the Empire. Not such much by military action--he was a middling general--but by a genius for organization. Realizing that no one individual could respond to all the threats that surrounded the empire and still maintain stable rule, Diocletian instituted a number of power-sharing reforms which finally led to the concept of the tetrarchy--Four rulers, one for each corner of the realm. Two were "Augusti" who selected as their junior partners and successors, two "Caesars". This reorganization succeeded in stabilizing the frontiers, and eliminating potential civil wars. From this political reform, Diocletian went on to reorder the total fabric of the Roman state. But he did not restore it in its former guise. Rather, his reordering led to the autocratic, centralized, regimented empire which was to survive as the later Byzantine state.

Although the tetrachy succeeded, it only did so because of Diocletian's personality and constant efforts to hold his fractious colleagues together. When he retired (the first Roman emperor ever to do so) the structure began falling apart again. Another cycle of civil wars ended with Constantine as sole ruler. Constantine consolidated many of Diocletian's reforms, thus buttressing the foundations of the Byzantine Empire.

Diocletian's religious views, and policies with regard to the state religion and the upstart Christians are explored in some depth. It's possible that Constantine recognized that a religious revival, such as that fostered by Diocletian was essential to the stability of the state. But Constantine chose to lift up the Christians as this unifying force instead of backing the traditional gods of the Roman empire.

All in all, an excellent, but not innovative account of a very difficult and complex time. Reads well, and is well documented. Useful appendices and a good bibliography.

I bought this book as an afterthought. I ordered the book on Septimius Severus,and something prompted me to get this one too. I must say, after trying to grind through the book on Severus, I picked this one up and flew right through it. It is well written, and easy to follow. It explains many questions I had about the later days of the Empire. I have since given it to my well read mother, and she enjoyed it as well. If you want to understand Constanine, and the start of the Roman Catholic Church, you must read about Diocletian.
Diocletian was an amazing man. He was able to stabilize the Empire under the utmost strain. He really shouldnt have been successful, but through force of character, he was.
He reminded me of George C. Marshall of all people. Strong, solid, wise and very well respected by all around him. A man so serious and mature, that all those around him stopped and listened. Only such a man could have done what he did.
It also explains the persecution of Christians under his watch. A dark side of his rule. A very enjoyable book.

This book is an excellent overview of the life of one of the Roman Empire's greatest rulers. Williams explains how Diocletian emerged from the chaos of the late third century to pull the Empire back from the brink of disaster. Written in a crisp, clear style, it should interest general readers and scholars alike

I like this book,gr8 analysis,i tried to search for the biography of the writer,but i couldn't find.

Diocletian Needs recognition and I believe Kindle would be very helpful.
I sell Diocletian Coins and his coins have started to literally disappeared.
Ten years ago I could not give them away.
Now that people read Diocletian's story with the Reformation of the Roman Empire he has gained more attention.
COULD THE AUTHOR KINDLE DIOCLETIAN?

Diocletian is probably not the most popular of the Roman emperors, but definitely one of the most influential.
This is a very good book around the subject, well written and engaging without bee too technical.
Good bibliographical notes to find other sources.
Diocletian lived one of the most critical times in the Roman Empire and a turning point in Western history.