11-22-2010, 07:39 AM
November 20, 270 AD: Birth of Gaius Valerius Galerius Maximinus, later Roman Emperor Maximinus II Daia (d. 313).
November 20, 284 AD: After the emperor Numerian falls ill and dies while retreating from the East, the troops proclaim the commander of the bodyguard Valerius Diocles (or as he became known; Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, b. 244), as new emperor. Since no-one has seen Numerian die, the suspicion of murder is laid on the prefect Aper (Diocles' competitor for the sudden imperial vacancy). Diocles, before the assempled army, is told to have raised his sword, swearing to his innocense while accusing Aper of killing Numerian and concealing it. He then runs him through while quoting from Virgil while doing so, according to the Historia Augusta. Soon after, Diocles changes his name to the more Latinate "Diocletianus", in full Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus.
November 20, 284 AD: After the emperor Numerian falls ill and dies while retreating from the East, the troops proclaim the commander of the bodyguard Valerius Diocles (or as he became known; Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus, b. 244), as new emperor. Since no-one has seen Numerian die, the suspicion of murder is laid on the prefect Aper (Diocles' competitor for the sudden imperial vacancy). Diocles, before the assempled army, is told to have raised his sword, swearing to his innocense while accusing Aper of killing Numerian and concealing it. He then runs him through while quoting from Virgil while doing so, according to the Historia Augusta. Soon after, Diocles changes his name to the more Latinate "Diocletianus", in full Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus.
Robert Vermaat
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
MODERATOR
FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
