Originally Diokles, a greek name, Diocletian gained the Latinized form of his name shortly before masterminding a revolt against Carinus. When Carinus received news of this insolence he set out at once with a large army to confront him. The two sides met in a prolonged and bloody match the results of which were finally turning against Diocletian. Seeing that all was lost he prepared to flee with what was left of his army when the most amazing thing happened. It seems Carinus had seduced the wife of one of his bodyguards who, for whatever possible reason, chose during the waning moments of the battle to avenge this affront by murdering his master.
Diocletian was then hailed as emperor by the same army that almost defeated him and he marched towards Rome as victor. Soon after his arrival he named his friend Maximian as co-emperor giving him rule over the western half of the empire. Both would then select subordinates who were not relatives of their own to help in the task and secure a line of succession unlike a blood dynasty. Diocletian's vision of this governmental scheme became known as the Tetrarchy and the first cycle of which was completed, as far as he was concerned, when he abdicated in 305 and demanded Maximian do likewise to leave their subordinates to rule.
Modern historians with the gift of hindsight pinpoint Diocletian's choice of reforming the army as the key culprit of the empire's downfall almost 200 years later. He figured that rather than have weak concentrations of army outposts scattered over the length of the empire's borders it would be better to have a centralized large force which could respond quickly in the event of a military crisis. While the theory may have been sound in principle he never foresaw the obstacles that led to the successful deployment and logistical problems that this method required and, thus, over time Romans became increasingly susceptible to barbarian attacks.
Diocletian died an old, forgotten and heartbroken man in his retirement palace in what is now Croatia. In the end he was vilified for shattering the economy, wreaking political chaos in Rome and resorting to the now somewhat anachronistic practice of persecuting Christians. Finally, he had to witness in his own lifetime the utter failure of his power sharing format when the Tetrarchy disintegrated into the Constantinian dynasty.
AU Medallion
RIC 1 (VI, Antioch), C 50 2-1/2 Aurei Medallion Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: CONSVLVIPPPROCOS Exe: SMA - Diocletian standing left, holding globe and holding scepter. 296 (Antioch). $95,057 12/5/02.
RIC 27 (VI, Treveri) Five Aurei Medallion Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPFAVGCOSVIII - Laureate bust left, wearing imperial mantle and holding eagle with scepter atop. Rev: FELICITASTEMPORVM Exe: PTR - Diocletian and Maximian standing, facing each other, each sacrificing over altar in center; Felicitas between them, holding caduceus and cornucopia. 303 (Trier).
AU Binio
RIC 133 (V), Depeyrot 2b/1, C 27 Binio Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATAVGG - Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. 286 (Rome).
AU Aureus
RIC 2 (V), Depeyrot 1/1, C 313 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped bust right. Rev: MARSVICTOR - Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy. 285-286 (Lugdunum).
RIC 5 (V) Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VICTORIAAVG - Victory standing left, holding wreath and palm. 285-286 (Lugdunum). RIC 5a (VI, Nicomedia), Depeyrot 2/4, C 251 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORI Exe: SMN - Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. c.294 (Nicomedia). $3,100 5/22/02. RIC 11a (VI, Ticinum), Depeyrot 7/1, C 549 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS - Laureate head right. Rev: No legend Exe: SMT - Wreath, XX/DIOCL/ETIAN/IAVG within. 303-304 (Ticinum). $3,000 1/13/03. RIC 17 (VI, Ticinum), Calicó 4455a, Depeyrot 1b/3, C 187 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: IOVICONSERVAT Exe: PT - Jupiter seated facing, holding thunderbolt and scepter; eagle to left. 294 (Treveri). $14,808 5/10/05. RIC 22 (VI, Treveri), Calico 4539, C 303 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: IOVIVICTORI Exe: PT - Jupiter standing right, aiming thunderbolt and holding eagle. c.294 (Trier). RIC 54 (VI, Treveri), Depeyrot 7a/3, Biaggi 1725 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORI - Jupiter laureate head right. March 302 (Trier). $21,747 5/6/03. RIC 75 (VI, Treveri), Calico 4558 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: No legend Exe: PTR - Wreath, PRIMI/XX/IOVI/AVG/COSVIII within. c.303 (Trier). RIC 134 (V), Depeyrot 2c/1 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATAVGG - Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. $9,000 1/16/02. RIC 142a (V), Depeyrot 5B/2, C 266 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORI Exe: PR - Jupiter seated left, holding thunderbolt and scepter; eagle to left. c.287 (Rome). RIC 146 (V), Depeyrot 6/8, C 285 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: IOVIFVLGERATORI Exe: PR - Jupiter standing right, aiming thunderbolt at kneeling Titan. c.289-290 (Rome). RIC 249, Depeyrot 1/7 Aureus Obv: IMPCDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, cuirsassed bust right. Rev: MARTIPACIFERO - Mars advancing left, holding branch and spear. 286 (Siscia). $3,200 9/19/01. RIC 285 (V), Depeyrot 11/2 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS - Laureate head right. Rev: CONSVLIIIIPPPROCOS - Diocletian standing left, holding globe. 291 (Cyzicus). $5,888 2/18/02. RIC 287 (V), Calico 4445, C 54 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS - Laureate head right. Rev: COSIII - Diocletian riding horse right, raising hand. c.287-289 (Cyzicus). $6,500 1/12/04. RIC 288 (V), Depeyrot 9/1, C 55 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS - Laureate head right. Rev: COSIIII - Diocletian riding horse right, raising hand. c.290-292 (Cyzicus). RIC 293 (V) Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORI Exe: SC - Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. RIC 294 (V), Depeyrot 5/5, Calico 4449, C 58 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: FATISVICTRICIBVS Exe: SC - The Three Fates standing, facing, each holding a rudder and cornucopia. 286-287 (Cyzicus). RIC 294v (V), C 283 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: FATISVICTRICIBVS Exe: /SC - The Three Fates standing, facing, each holding a rudder and cornucopia. $2,000 9/19/01. RIC 295 (V), Depeyrot 2/2 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORI - Jupiter standing left, holding Victory on globe and scepter. 291 (Cyzicus). $3,411 2/18/02. RIC 296 corrected (V), Depeyrot 6/3, Calicó 4488 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORI Exe: SC - Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. 286-287 (Cyzicus). RIC 302, Depeyrot 2/6, Calicó 4566 Aureus Obv: IMPCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: SOLIINVICTO - Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe. 284-286 (Cyzicus). RIC 304d Aureus Obv: IMPCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRTVSAVG - Virtus standing left, resting hand on shield and holding spear. 284 (Cyzicus). RIC 309, Depeyrot 8/1, C 49 Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS - Laureate head right. Rev: CONSVLVPPPROCOS Exe: SMA - Diocletian standing left, holding globe. c.293-295 (Antioch). RIC 314 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirsassed bust right. Rev: FATISVICTRICIBVS Exe: SMA - The Three Fates standing, facing, each holding a rudder and cornucopia. $6,250 1/16/02. RIC 316, Depeyrot 1/1, C 272 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: IOVICONSERVATORIAVG Exe: O/SMA - Jupiter standing left, holding thunderbolt and scepter. [The O in field is actually the Greek Omicron which stood for 70, as in 70 Aurei to the Roman pound]. c.284-286 (Antioch). RIC 320, C 469 Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSPFAVG - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VICTORIAAVG Exe: O/SMA - Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm. [The O in field is actually the Greek Omicron which stood for 70, as in 70 Aurei to the Roman pound]. c.284-286 (Antioch). $2,000 5/22/04. Calicó 4432a Aureus Obv: IMPCCVALDIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: CONCORDIAMILITVM Exe: SC - Concordia standing left, holding a standard in each hand. 286-287 (Cyzicus). $7,078 5/10/05. Unlisted Aureus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: HERCVLIVICTORI Exe: TR - Hercules standing left, holding Victory and resting hand on club. 302 (Treveri).
RIC 1a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: •SM•SDA• - Camp gate with three turrets. 303-305 (Serdica).
RIC 1a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: •SM•SDΓ• - Camp gate with three turrets. 303-305 (Serdica). RIC 7a(var.) Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: PROVIDENTIAAVGG Exe: ALE - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. [RIC lists for D in right field]. c.298 (Alexandria). RIC 10a (VI, Heraclea) Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VICTORIASARMAT Exe: HA - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.295 (Heraclea). RIC 10a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: ALE - Camp gate with three turrets. (Alexandria). RIC 11a (VI, Carthago) Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: FELADVENTAVGGNN Exe: P - Africa standing, facing, holding standard and elephant tusk; lion and bull to lower left. c.296-298 (Carthago). RIC 11a (VI, Thessalonica), C 521b Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: TS•A• - City gate with four turrets. 302 (Thessalonica). RIC 11a (VI, Thessalonica), C 521b Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: TS•Γ• - City gate with four turrets. 302 (Thessalonica). RIC 12a (VI, Ticinum) Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VICTORIASARMAT - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.294 (Ticinum). $400 9/24/03. RIC 13a (VI, Carthage), C 64 Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: ADVENTAVGGNN Exe: P - Africa standing facing, holding standard and elephant tusk; lion to left. c.296-298 (Carthage). RIC 16a (VI, Ticinum), Jelocnik 25 Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VICTORIASARMAT - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.294 (Ticinum). RIC 20a (VI, Ticinum), C 548a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: No legend Exe: T - Wreath, XCVI within. c.300 (Ticinum). RIC 25a, C 492b Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VICTORIAESARMATICAE Exe: SMNΓ - Camp gate with four turrets, star above. 295-296 (Nicomedia). $425 5/19/04. RIC 27a, Jelocnik 40a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM - Four tetrarchs sacrificing before camp with six turrets. RIC 31 (VI, Antioch), C 427a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: PROVIDENTIAEAVGG Exe: /H/ANT - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. 294-295 (Antioch). RIC 31a, C 488f Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VICTORIASARMAT Exe: R - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.294 (Rome). RIC 32a, C 516 Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: R - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.294 (Rome). RIC 33a (VI, Siscia) Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: PROVIDENTIAAVGG - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. (Siscia). RIC 33a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: PROVIDENTIAAVGG Exe: Δ - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. RIC 40a (VI, Rome), Jelocnik 45, C 516 Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: A - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.294 (Rome). RIC 40a (VI, Rome), Jelocnik 45, C 516 Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM Exe: B - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. c.294 (Rome). RIC 43a Argenteus Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVG - Laureate head right. Rev: VIRTVSMILITVM - Tetrarchs sacrificing over altar in front of city gate. (Siscia).
AE Medallion
Unlisted Bronze Medallion Obv: DIOCLETIANVSAVGETCONSTANTIVSNOBC - Radiate, cuirassed busts of Diocletian and Constantius I facing each other. Rev: VIRTVSEXERCITIMPERROMANI Exe: TR - Mars advancing right, dragging captive and holding trophy with shield. $9,971 11/20/00.