Eastern Mediterranean 305: Second Tetrarchy

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Main Events

299 Peace of Nisibis ▲

In the spring of 299 Diocletian met Galerius at Nisibis, where they laid out peace terms to present to Shah Narseh of Persia. Their demands included the cession of lands east of the Tigris to Rome, the restoration of Armenia as a Roman client, and the establishment of the Roman city of Nisibis as the sole point of trade between the two empires. Narseh accepted all these terms and in return had his wife and the other hostages seized at the Battle of Satala returned to him. It would be another four decades before Persia would challenge the Roman Empire again. in wikipedia

301 Conversion of Tiridates III ▲

By the end of the third century, Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Armenia but Christianity had gained a strong foothold. In 301, according to legend, the Christian Gregory the Illuminator miraculously cured the Armenian king Tiridates III of a severe illness, convincing the king to both adopt Christianity himself and make Armenia the first officially Christian state. For the rest of his reign, until his death in 330, Tiridates would work determinedly, and often forcefully, to convert his subjects to the new faith, completing the rift between Armenia and Zoroastrian Persia. in wikipedia

301 Edict on Maximum Prices ▲

During his reign (284–305), Diocletian attempted to resolve the Roman Empire’s economic woes by introducing a stricter, more extensive tax system (the Capitatio-Iugatio), reforming the currency, and restricting social and professional mobility. However, inflation was still a major issue and in late 301 he attempted to curb it by issuing the Edict of Maximum Prices, which listed the highest prices merchants were legally allowed to charge for over one thousand goods. This move was an economic disaster, met widespread resistance, and only encouraged traders to shift to the black market. As a result the edict’s penalties were applied unevenly at best and within a few years it was dropped altogether. in wikipedia

23 Feb 303–30 Apr 311 Great Persecution ▲

In February 303 Diocletian began a campaign of persecution against the growing Christian population of the Roman Empire, ordering the destruction of churches and scriptures, the arrest and imprisonment of church leaders, and the deprivation of Christians of their legal rights and ranks. Hundreds, possibly thousands, were also executed for refusing to comply with demands to sacrifice to the Roman gods. After the abdication of Diocletian, the persecution continued in the East under Galerius until 311, but was abandoned in the West by 306. in wikipedia

1 May 305 Second Tetrarchy ▲

On 1 May 305, in simultaneous ceremonies in Nicomedia and Mediolanum, Diocletian and Maximian both retired, setting a precedent in the hopes of stabilizing the office of Emperor and preventing further succession crises. Constantius Chlorus and Galerius became the new Augusti, but remained based in Gaul and the Balkans, respectively. Although Constantius was technically the senior Augustus, Galerius was Diocletian’s informal successor and appointed his own officers, Valerius Severus and Maximinus Daza, as Caesars. in wikipedia