La Tétrarchie, Réponse de Dioclétien à la crise du IIIe siècle ?

Abstract. The concept of ‘crisis’ has long dominated studies of the third century AD. The assassination of Severus Alexander in AD 235 was followed by a series of crises and political, social and economic instability in almost every corner of the Roman Empire. Disputes, military usurpations and succession problems, compounded by barbarian raids and incursions, triggered an economic, social, food, health and religious crisis both internally and externally. These crises led to a rejection of public authority, followed by disorder, as evidenced by ancient sources and what modern historiography calls ‘military anarchy’. Diocletian, a military man from Dalmatia, emerged victorious from the socio-political and military chaos, restored the unity of the Roman Empire and laid the foundations for stability with numerous reforms. He steered the empire through a collegial ‘political system’ known as the tetrarchy, the primary aim of which was to restore unity to the empire by sharing power with other emperors. Diocletian brought true genius to the tetrarchy system, which was not to withstand the clash of political ambitions.