A Discussion On Diocletian's Provincial Re-organization In The Late Roman Empire

The Roman Empire started to enact the provincial system from the third century A.D to manage its occupied overseas territories. That system was widely applied as far as the Mediterranean area with the expansion of the Roman Empire and also became a crucial part of the dominating system of the Roman Empires. Though it underwent some damages at the end of the Republic, it revitalized again due to Augustan's great promotion and endeavor. However, the provincial system, which witnessed the crisis of its own for as long as three centuries, could not satisfy the demand of the empire. It was more considered as the very root of wars among empires. In order to change this chaotic situation, the Roman emperor Diocletian conducted a reform of this system during his late years.After his reform, the disordered situation, which started from the end of the second century A.D., gradually changed and adjusted.The first chapter mainly introduces the history and development of the provincial system. It mainly discusses the declining and chaotic situation of the provincial system at the late Republic period. It comes to the conclusion that Augustan helped and promoted the provincial system to the right path through his efforts of many years.Chapter two mainly introduces the reasons why Diocletian initiated the reform. That is, the reform of the provincial system by Augustan had been changing during the hundreds of years thereafter with many drawbacks. Moreover, another reason is to re-establish the authority of central power in provinces. Chapter three starts with the concrete strategies of the reform of the provincial system and further illuminates the historical significance of Diocletian's reform.