Summary of Lars Brownworth's Lost to the West - E-book - ePub

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The Roman Empire was in decline by the third century, and the Roman people were becoming increasingly apathetic and enervated. The military, which had once been a source of strength for the empire, fell victim to the sickness of the age. #2 The Roman Empire was beginning to fall apart. The economy was suffering, people were becoming scared, and the government was unable to respond to the many problems that were arising.
Diocletian decided to split the empire in half, and gave most of the western areas to Maximian, while keeping the more cultured Greek east for himself. #3 Diocletian was the first emperor to divide his power between two men. He also organized the empire into twelve dioceses, and taxes could be collected more efficiently. He then turned to the monumental task of stabilizing the crown itself. #4 The Roman Empire had a long tradition of masking its autocracy behind the trappings of a republic.
But Diocletian wanted to change that, and he did by creating an autocratic monarch, a divine emperor. He propped up the wobbly throne of Olympus with the might of Olympus, and this stroke of brilliance kept rebellion at bay.