--- title: Map of the Diocletian's First Tetrarchy and the Roman Empire: Stability Through Division, Succession by Design author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18530/map-of-the-diocletians-first-tetrarchy-and-the-rom/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-07-04 --- # Map of the Diocletian's First Tetrarchy and the Roman Empire: Stability Through Division, Succession by Design _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Diocletian's First Tetrarchy and the Roman Empire: Stability Through Division, Succession by Design](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18530.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18530.png) ## Image Caption The First Tetrarchy (293–305 CE) was Emperor [Diocletian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Diocletian/)'s (reign 284–305 CE) solution to the political and military crises that had nearly destroyed the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/) during the [Crisis of the Third Century](https://www.worldhistory.org/Crisis_of_the_Third_Century/) (235–284 CE). Following decades of civil [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/), foreign invasions, economic instability, and rapid imperial succession, Diocletian concluded that the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) had become too vast for a single ruler to govern effectively. In 293 CE, he introduced an unprecedented system of collegiate rule in which two senior emperors (Augusti) and two junior emperors (Caesars) shared responsibility for defending the frontiers, administering the provinces, and ensuring an orderly succession. Although authority was divided geographically, the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Empire remained a single sovereign state. The Tetrarchy temporarily restored political stability and strengthened imperial administration. Diocletian and Galerius governed the East, while Maximian and Constantius Chlorus administered the West, each commanding regional armies while cooperating within a unified imperial framework. The system reduced opportunities for military usurpation and improved the empire's ability to respond simultaneously to threats along the Rhine, Danube, and eastern frontiers. Following the abdication of Diocletian and Maximian in 305 CE, however, rival claims to power led to renewed civil war, culminating in the rise of [Constantine the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantine_I/) (reign 306–337 CE) as sole emperor. Although the First Tetrarchy itself proved short-lived, its administrative reforms reshaped [Roman government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Government/) and influenced the organization of the later Roman and [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) Empires. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, July 04). Map of the Diocletian's First Tetrarchy and the Roman Empire: Stability Through Division, Succession by Design. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Diocletian's First Tetrarchy and the Roman Empire: Stability Through Division, Succession by Design." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 04, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Diocletian's First Tetrarchy and the Roman Empire: Stability Through Division, Succession by Design." *World History Encyclopedia*, 04 Jul 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 04 July 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.