GALERIUS, THE CO-EMPEROR OF DIOCLETIAN
GALERIUS, THE CO-EMPEROR OF DIOCLETIAN

Summary/Abstract: Diocletian belongs to the rank of Roman Emperors who significantly marked the times in which they lived. Yet, he owed his success to his co-emperors, among which Galerius had a special place. They had a lot in common. Both being Illyrians and cruel and brave warriors, they built magnificent palaces in their birth places. Galerius palace near Gamzigrad (Serbia), Felix Romuliana, could compete by its grandeur with the Diocletian’s palace, as well as with those in Nicomedia, Antiochia and Constantinople (although it has not been that well preserved). Diocletian chose Galerius to be his caesar and he officially received the title in 293 AD. In order to tighten his links with Diocletian, Galerius married his daughter Valeria. He was put in charge of Oriens and Illyricum and chose Sirmium for his headquarters. Diocletian made his assistants, an augustus and two caesars, the real partners in performing the Emperor’s duties. The tasks of managing the state were divided between four rulers. Each of them had his own seat in another city, his own army, executive power and his own assistant in the form of a praetorian prefect. Thanks to Galerius and his skills of a warrior, the Illyricum borders were successfully defended despite constant barbaric attacks. He was also known for his success in making new settlements by land clearingand cutting down the trees. This land was settled by the vandals whohad been attacking the Empire: Markomans, Sarmates, etc. Diocletian was very fond of his caesar Galerius, always giving him instructions and full support. On the other side, it is believed that Galerius’ influence on Diocletian was enormous. Thus, the authors believe that Diocletian’s big prosecution of Christians was undertaken under Galerius’s influence.

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