Diocletian CL/ Williams

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 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.

As Williams recalls, the Third Century was almost an utter debacle for Rome. The frontiers disintegrated, the coinage collapsed and the political system imploded. Diocletian's reign (284-310) mitigated the disaster. His reforms completely saved the East, and gave the West another good 100 years. He broke the cycle of assassination-civil war-assassination that had marred the principate; he created a "Tetrachy" of four mutually dependent co-emperors and he refashioned the imperial defense structure. Borders were restored, and although his attempts at price control failed, his economic reforms were broadly successful. He is widely thought to have had the luckiest death of any Roman Emperor, dying in retirement at his cabbage farm. If you want to know about Diocletian, his life and times, you need go no further than William's masterful account.

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!