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Diocletian

Diocletian

2 9.9
Roman emperor who ruled around 300 AD and ordered harsh treatment of Christians
  • proper noun
  • /ˌdaɪəˈkliːʃən/
: Diocleciano
  • Diocletian's military reforms shrank the size of the legions but greatly increased the number of them.
  • Diocletian the emperor
  • Roman Diocletian

Constantine emerged from the chaos following Diocletian's abdication.

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Examples

  • The Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians in 303-04 A.D. is thought to have resulted in the execution of more than 100,000 Christians.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Despite that, the population of the Empire grew steadily from the time of Augustus to at least the end of Diocletian's reign in 300.

    Blog text (19)
  • It would be like the early Christians asking Diocletian to help the poor.

    Blog text (31)
  • This man, declared Diocletian, is the murderer of Numerian.

  • They chose the noble Diocletian to succeed their beloved Numerian.

  • Constantine emerged from the chaos following Diocletian's abdication.

  • Its most impressive remains are of a series of forts built in the fourth century by the emperor Diocletian to strengthen Rome's frontiers.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The tax reforms of Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century were so rigid and unwavering that many people were driven to starvation and bankruptcy.

    Blog text (17)
  • The only widespread persecutions of Christians occurred during the reign of Diocletian (284-305) and during the first decade of the 4th century preceding the Edict on Toleration.

    Academic text (1992)
  • At the beginning of the fourth century, the Roman Emperor Diocletian invigorated the empire politically and militarily while also persecuting Christians.

Surface Forms

Diocletian main

Etymology

Diocletian comes from a Greek name made of Dios ('Zeus') and kleos ('glory'). So the name means 'glory of Zeus', a grand, powerful name for the Roman emperor known for strong rule and major reforms.