Imperial Rome AD 284 to 363: The New Empire

A distinct perspective on the dawn of Late Antiquity

Diocletian (284-305) and his principal successor, Constantine (306-337), would rule the Roman world for over half a century and Constantine's sons would build on their legacy. Administrative reform encouraged the rise of a bureaucratic culture, provincial government was reshaped and became more hierarchical and the court became more structured. The period was also one of momentous religious change. With Constantine's adoption of Christianity as the favoured recipient of imperial patronage, the religious landscape would, over time, be radically reshaped.

Jill Harries combines analysis of administrative reform and religious change with accounts of war, women and imperial cities to offer new insights on Late Rome and her empire.

Key features

Focuses on the Emperor Constantine as a major figure and offers a context to his achievement
Addresses the role of imperial women, often ignored for this period
Studies the control of empires and how rulers fashion their claims to legitimacy