Roman Emperor (Dominate)
The accession on November 20, 284, of Diocletian, the lower-class, Greek-speaking Dalmatian commander of Carus's and Numerian's household cavalry, marked a major departure from traditional Roman constitutional theory regarding the Emperor, who was nominally first among equals during the Principate. Whereas before Emperors had worn only a purple toga and were greeted with deference, Diocletian wore jewelled robes and shoes, and required those who greeted him to kneel and kiss the hem of his robe. In many ways, Diocletian was the first monarchical Emperor, and this is symbolised by the fact that the word dominus ("Lord") rapidly replaced princeps as the favoured word for referring to the Emperor. In short, the Dominate represents a time when the emperors unabashedly showcased their status and authority compared to the earlier Principate.
The Dominate also featured a shift in the Empire's "center of gravity" from the west to the east, particularly after the establishment of Constantinople; neither Diocletian nor his co-Emperor Maximian spent much time in Rome after 286, establishing their Imperial capitals at Nicomedia and Mediolanum (modern Milan), respectively.
Read more about Roman Emperor (Dominate): Tetrarchy, End of The Tetrarchy, Constantinian Dynasty, Jovian, Valentinian Dynasty
Famous quotes containing the words roman and/or emperor:
“The gale, it plies the saplings double,
It blows so hard, twill soon be gone:
To-day the Roman and his trouble
Are ashes under Uricon.”
—A.E. (Alfred Edward)
“Man you ought to see his plans for allsteel buildins. Hes got an idea the skyscraper of the futurell be built of steel and glass. Weve been experimenting with vitrous tile recently... crist-amighty some of his plans would knock you out... Hes got a great sayin about some Roman emperor who found Rome of brick and left it of marble. Well he says hes found New York of brick an that hes goin to leave it of steel... steel an glass.”
—John Dos Passos (18961970)