Analyze the effect of Diocletian's reforms, followed by Constantine's changes, on stabilizing the Roman Empire, however briefly. What did each accomplish?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Diocletian's reforms, including setting maximum prices, changes to methods of tax collection, and separating civil careers from military ones, provided a foothold of security and stability. He was endorsed by the army as a soldier-emperor, and his system of Tetrarchy (rule of four) allowed a more manageable approach to rule of the empire, permitting each emperor to work on shoring up the resources of the empire. However, the Tetrarchy became complicated after Diocletian's retirement in 305 (along with his co-Augustus), and civil war raged for several years until Constantine managed to win. Constantine continued policies intended to stabilize the empire. Most notably, in comparison to Diocletian, who had instigated the last big persecution, Constantine offered amnesty to the Christians and settled a large internal struggle in that sense. Constantine's rebuilding a city on the site of Byzantium and subsequently consecrating the city as Constantinople meant a move of the capital of the empire to the east, a foreshadowing of Rome's letting go of the west.