Diocletian and the Roman Recovery

by Stephen Williams

Overview

Stephen Williams's book is the first biography of Diocletian to appear in English. It combines the historical narrative of his remarkable reign and those of his fellow-emperors, with a chapter-by-chapter study of each of the great problems he faced, the interlocking solutions he evolved to meet them, and the longer term results. It is both a portrait of one of Rome's greatest and most original rulers, and a political study in the emergence of Absolutism. Also includes four maps.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138172005
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/11/2016
Series:	Roman Imperial Biographies
Pages:	275
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Stephen Williams is a freelance writer. His most recent book is Theodosius: The Empire at Bay.

Table of Contents

PART I: CRISIS; 1. The Third-Century Collapse; 2. Virtus Illyrici; PART II: EMERGENCE; 3. Jove and Hercules; 4. The Tetrarchy; 5. Victory and Consolidation - Britain, Africa, the Danube; 6. Victory and Consolidation - Egypt and Persia; PART III: THE NEW ORDER; 7. Defense in Depth; 8. The Recasting of Government; 9. Finance, Taxation, Inflation; 10. A Command Economy; 11. The New Order; PART IV: TRIUMPHS AND DEFEATS; 12. The Gods are Alive; 13. Politeia Christi; 14. The Great Persecution; 15. Abortive Renewal; PART V: AFTERMATH; 16. Constantine's Completion; 17. In the Long Run

Editorial Reviews

"[Williams] has performed a valuable service for the profession as well as for the general reader ... his judgment of particular matters is invariably sound, and the book is a well-written synthesis." — American Historical Review USE
"Stephen Williams is not a professional Roman historian, but he is certainly an expert, and his view of Diocletian is original and convincing. ... [He] is an equitable and balanced historian and I think one can rely on him." — Peter Levi
"This is the first biography of Diocletian in English and is written both for students of history and politics and for general readers." — The Bloomsbury Review USE
"This biography is never dull, for the author writes with considerable style, and he has the ability to turn a neat phrase." — James E. Seaver History Reviews of New Books

From the Publisher