Diocletian abdicated power in 305 CE and left the Tetrarchy to his co-emperors and Severus, the newly inaugurated general. Diocletian then retired to his boyhood palace in Dalmatia. The palace's remains became the center of the modern city of Spilt in Croatia. Diocletian's palace was built as a fortress, demonstrating that despite Diocletian's success as emperor, he still required security living in a hostile Roman environment. Despite the stylistic changes in sculpture, Diocletian's palace serves as a reminder that the style of Roman architecture continued to be based on Classical models and forms. In addition to its numerous round arches and Classical columns, the palace also contains a vestibule with a domed ceiling containing an oculus somewhat reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome.
Vestibule
Domed ceiling with wide oculus. Diocletian's Palace. Split, Croatia. c. 305 CE.
The palace was set up in a similar fashion to a castrum, containing courts, libraries and other features found in imperial villas. It was constructed from local materials including limestone, marble, and brick. Some material for decoration was imported: Egyptian granite columns, fine marble for revetments and some capitals produced in workshops in the Proconnesos (present-day Marmara Island off the coast of Turkey). The southern wall, which was the only unfortified part of the palace, was practically built on the waterfront and appeared to rise out of the Adriatic Sea.
Diocletian's Palace
Artist's reconstruction of the original appearance.
Diocletian's palace demonstrates the Roman use of vaults in the substructure and the use of columns, peristyles, and entablatures to create monumental spaces. For example, the central court of the palace, known as the Peristyle, demonstrates the stylistic and monumental use of these architectural elements. Furthermore, the central court was sunken and a flight of stairs enclosed the court and lead up to the decorative Peristyle and surrounding rooms. This increased the feeling of monumentality while emphasizing Diocletian's imperial power, as members of the court had to stand several steps below the entrances to the temples, mausoleum, and court rooms.
Peristyle
The arcuated pediment is a rare feature in Roman architecture. Diocletian's Palace. Split, Croatia. c. 305 CE.
A main feature of the Peristyle is the portico that marks the entrance to Diocletian's private apartments. Following the format of a traditional Roman temple to a degree, the portico rests atop a raised platform. Behind it rests a marble-faced brick wall with three entrances: an archway flanked by a rectangular portal on each side. Perhaps it most unique feature is the arcuated pediment that sits atop the temple façade. Resting on four Composite columns, the pediment contains a round arch that rises into its base toward its apex. An arcade supported by Composite columns stands to either side of the façade.
The northern half of the palace, divided in two parts by the cardo leading from the northern gate to the Peristyle is not as well preserved that the rest of the palace. Scholars posit that each part was a residential complex, housing soldiers, servants, and possibly some other facilities. Both parts were apparently surrounded by streets. Leading to perimeter walls there were rectangular buildings, possibly storage magazines.
While the architectural aspects of the palace follow Roman traditions, several decorative choices hail from Egypt. Diocletian adorned his new home with numerous 3500-year-old granite sphinxes, originating from the site of Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III. Only three have survived the centuries. One is still on the Peristyle, the second sits headless in front of Jupiter's temple, and a third is in the city museum.
Sphinx from tomb of Thutmose III (15th century BCE)
Diocletian's Palace. Split, Croatia. c. 305 CE.
Headless sphinx in front of the Temple of Jupiter
Diocletian's Palace. Split, Croatia. c. 305 CE.