ABSTRACT
In Roman history, the fourth century AD is often reckoned from the acclamation of Diocletian as emperor in 284 to the death of Theodosius in 395. The real turning point between the third and the fourth centuries, however, is the death of Carinus in 285. Only then did the unprecedented barrage of political, military, and natural disasters characterizing the third century begin to lose intensity in the face of Diocletian's subsequent actions. Diocletian instituted sweeping military, administrative, and fiscal reforms to ensure the survival of the Roman Empire united under his command as the senior of four ruling partners, tetrarchs, who formed the Tetrarchy. Diocletian created a huge administrative and military machine that surpassed the ability of the economy to support it and impeded communication between the center and the periphery. A new system of coinage and attempts to control prices only led to more inflation, shortages, and black markets. Diocletian's persecution unnecessarily alienated the Christian community.
