According2Sam #90 'Tetrarchy'

In the middle of the Third Century the Roman Empire was in decline and on the verge of collapse. Many issues were contributing to the nadir of the great empire. It was a period of political instability, with many usurpers seizing the title of emperor. There were slave and peasant revolts, and parts of the Empire breaking off to declare their independence, which lead to civil wars. There was high taxation, economic depression, and debasement of the currency. All of this weakened the Roman Empire, and the barbarian tribes from the north seized the opportunity to invade. This only added to the crises. Several men worked to restore the Empire beginning with the Emperor Claudius Gothicus in 268, but it wasn't fully restored until the reign of Diocletian nearly 2 decades later. Diocletian initiated many reforms during his reign and created they largest bureaucracy that the Empire had ever known. One such reform that scholars refer to today as 'tetrarchy', was the most notable. It means the rule of four, and it was Diocletian's plan to share power throughout the massive empire. It also laid out a plan for secession to ensure the peaceful transition of power. How were the Founding Fathers of the United States influenced by Diocletian's reforms, and what impact does this history have on our lives today? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #90.