tetrarchy

(noun)

Historically, an empire that was ruled by four rulers.

Related Terms

Examples of tetrarchy in the following topics:

  • Imperial Sculpture under the Tetrarchy

    • Emperor Diocletian institutionalized the Tetrarchy, a co-rule that re-established stability in the empire for the period of Diocletian's reign.
    • Diocletian achieved stability by establishing the Tetrarchy, Greek for "rule by four."
    • The Tetrarchy consisted of four emperors reigning over two halves of the empire.
    • The idea of the Tetrarchy, which is apparent in their portraits, is based on the ideal of four men working together to establish peace and stability throughout the empire.
    • Furthermore, the two pairs of rulers - a Caesar and an Augustus with arms around each other - form a solid, stable block that reinforces the stability the Tetrarchy brought to the Roman Empire.

  • Architecture under Constantine

    • Unfortunately for Diocletian's legacy and the stability created by the Tetrarchy, a power struggle between the two heirs erupted a year after the former Augustus's abdication.

  • Diocletian's Palace

    • Diocletian abdicated power in 305 CE and left the Tetrarchy to his co-emperors and Severus, the newly inaugurated general.