LABORATORIO DE URGENCIAS

Diocletian's abdication in 305 is a unique event in the history of the Roman Empire. No other emperor had ever abandoned power before of his own free will, to enjoy a comfortable retirement and die in peace. Only the abdication of Charles V, in 1556, would have a comparable impact.
By resigning from office, Diocletian put an end to a long 22-year reign that had completely changed the face of the Roman Empire. Since he was acclaimed emperor, he was 40 years old, that man of dark lineage, born in the Illyrian city of Salona (Split), had faced constant challenges: palace intrigues, political and economic instability, open war fronts on the eastern borders. and Westerners, rebellions that threatened the unity of the Empire... He had emerged victorious from all of them; His famous triumphs on the battlefields of Persia, Great Britain, Africa, Egypt and the Danubian borders were cause for celebration. He had undertaken reforms intended to stabilize the Empire, including an administrative reorganization of the provinces, a monetary reform, and a new tax system.

The emperor leaves power

His stay in Rome was not entirely satisfactory.
The Roman people continued to be characterized by their freedom of speech, by an irreverent wit with which they denigrated their rulers in couplets and lampoons. Diocletian suffered it firsthand, fearful of a revolt and with a dejected spirit, he decided to leave the city and return to Nicomedia. He made the trip in the depths of winter, so the cold and rain only aggravated the health problems he suffered. Upon his arrival, he locked himself in his palace, in silence, while the people prayed for his speedy recovery and panicked over the possibility of his death. When he finally appeared before his court, his appearance was almost unrecognizable and he was visibly upset.
Diocletian had realized that the Roman Empire was too large to be ruled by one man. He had decided to share power and had chosen his most loyal companions to act as executing arms of his designs. But then he made the sudden decision to abandon power and withdraw from the world so that others would perpetuate his legacy. The abdication ceremony was formally celebrated on a large esplanade in Nicomedia. Diocletian rose from his throne before the crowd, expressed his desire to retire, took off his imperial purple, climbed into a simple covered carriage and silently crossed the city gates to the astonishment of those present.
He would not be seen in public again.
The carriage was taking him back to his hometown, Salona (modern Split, Croatia).

 
                                                                                                                           Juan Pablo Sánchez.
                                                                                                                                              (Doctor in Classical Philology)