Lesson test: Diocletian rebuilds the state

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Diocletian rebuilds the state

1.[3p]
What problem was the tetrarchy designed to solve?

Frontier armies proclaimed their own commanders because the emperor was absent

Correct

The Senate had begun choosing emperors again

The answer is: Frontier armies proclaimed their own commanders because the emperor was absent

There were too few candidates of senatorial rank

The answer is: Frontier armies proclaimed their own commanders because the emperor was absent

The provinces refused to pay tax to a single ruler

The answer is: Frontier armies proclaimed their own commanders because the emperor was absent

2.[2p]
The tetrarchy divided the Roman empire into separate states.

True

The answer is: False

False

Correct

3.[2p]
John the Lydian gives Diocletian 435,266 soldiers and 45,562 in the fleets. What is the total?

CorrectNot quite: 480828

4.[3p]
Why did the state move to supplying the army in kind?

Its own coinage had failed as a store of value between assessment and spending

Correct

Soldiers had refused to accept payment in coin

The answer is: Its own coinage had failed as a store of value between assessment and spending

Transport of coin across provinces had become impossible

The answer is: Its own coinage had failed as a store of value between assessment and spending

Grain was cheaper than silver by weight

The answer is: Its own coinage had failed as a store of value between assessment and spending

5.[3p]
Match each unit or reform to what it was.

iugum
caput
diocese
annona militaris

a notional unit of land adjusted for quality and crop
a group of provinces under a vicar
the army's supplies, requisitioned rather than bought
a unit of labour, counted by head

Show the answer

iugum: a notional unit of land adjusted for quality and crop caput: a unit of labour, counted by head diocese: a group of provinces under a vicar annona militaris: the army's supplies, requisitioned rather than bought

6.[2p]
Diocletian's price edict capped a farm labourer's wage at 25 denarii a day and a modius of wheat at 100. How many days of wages buys the wheat?

CorrectNot quite: 4

7.[3p]
Why did the price edict fail?

A cap below the market price makes sellers withdraw rather than sell at a loss

Correct

The penalties were too light to deter anyone

The answer is: A cap below the market price makes sellers withdraw rather than sell at a loss

It was never published outside Italy

The answer is: A cap below the market price makes sellers withdraw rather than sell at a loss

Prices had already stopped rising when it was issued

The answer is: A cap below the market price makes sellers withdraw rather than sell at a loss

8.[3p]
What followed from taxing land together with the people registered on it?

Select all that apply

Tenants became tied to the estates they were registered on

Correct

Neighbours and landlords gained an interest in stopping anyone leaving

Correct

Council membership became hereditary and compulsory

Correct

Land could no longer be bought or sold

The answer is: Tenants became tied to the estates they were registered on, Neighbours and landlords gained an interest in stopping anyone leaving, Council membership became hereditary and compulsory

9.[3p]
Why did the succession scheme of 305 collapse within about eighteen months?

The armies allocated the throne by inheritance and presence, not merit

Correct

Diocletian died before it could take effect

The answer is: The armies allocated the throne by inheritance and presence, not merit

Both new Augusti refused the promotion

The answer is: The armies allocated the throne by inheritance and presence, not merit

The Senate declared the scheme illegal

The answer is: The armies allocated the throne by inheritance and presence, not merit

1.[3p] What problem was the tetrarchy designed to solve?

2.[2p] The tetrarchy divided the Roman empire into separate states.

3.[2p] John the Lydian gives Diocletian 435,266 soldiers and 45,562 in the fleets. What is the total?

4.[3p] Why did the state move to supplying the army in kind?

5.[3p] Match each unit or reform to what it was.

6.[2p] Diocletian's price edict capped a farm labourer's wage at 25 denarii a day and a modius of wheat at 100. How many days of wages buys the wheat?

7.[3p] Why did the price edict fail?

8.[3p] What followed from taxing land together with the people registered on it?

9.[3p] Why did the succession scheme of 305 collapse within about eighteen months?

1.[3p]
What problem was the tetrarchy designed to solve?

2.[2p]
The tetrarchy divided the Roman empire into separate states.

3.[2p]
John the Lydian gives Diocletian 435,266 soldiers and 45,562 in the fleets. What is the total?

4.[3p]
Why did the state move to supplying the army in kind?

5.[3p]
Match each unit or reform to what it was.

6.[2p]
Diocletian's price edict capped a farm labourer's wage at 25 denarii a day and a modius of wheat at 100. How many days of wages buys the wheat?

7.[3p]
Why did the price edict fail?

8.[3p]
What followed from taxing land together with the people registered on it?

9.[3p]
Why did the succession scheme of 305 collapse within about eighteen months?