THE RESIGNATION OF DIOCLETIAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2110, 8 February 1908, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE RESIGNATION OF DIOCLETIAN.

HOW THE EMPEROR OF A MIGHTY NATION RESIGNED HIS CROWN

PREFERRED GROWING CAB BAGES TO RULING IMPERIAL ROME.

It was in the twenty-first year of his reign that Diocletian executed his memorable resolution of abdicating tho empire, an action more naturally to have been expected from the elder or tlie younger Antoninus than from a prince who bail never practised (lie lessons of philosophy, either in tin.' attainment or in the use ol' supreme power. Dioelettain acquiror the glory of giving to the world the first example of a resignation, which has not been very frequently imitated by succeeding monnrehs. Tho parellel of Charles tho Fifth, however, will naturally offer itsc-If to our mind, not only since the eloquence of a modern historian has rendered the name so familiar to an English reader, but from tho very striking resemblance between the ■ characters of the two emperors, whoso political abilities were superior to their military genius, and whose specious virtues were niucli less the effect of Nature than Art. The abdication of Charles appears to have been hastened by the vicissitudes of his favorand tho disappointment of his favor, itc schemes urged him to relinquish a power he found inadequate to his ambition. But the reign of Diocletian had flowed with a tide of uninterrupted success; nor was it- till after lie had vanquished all his enemies, and accomplished all his designs, that he seems to have entertained any serious thoughts of resigning the empire. Neither Charles nor Oiocletinn was arrived at a very 'advanced permit of life, since the one was only fifty-five, and tho other was no more than fifty-nine years of age; hut the active life of those princes, their wars and. journeys, the cares of royalty, and their application to business, had already impaired their constitutions, and brought on the infirmities of premature old age. The ceremony of his abdication was performed in a spacious plain, about three miles from Nicomedai. The Emperor ascended a lofty throne, and in a speech, full of reason and dignitv, declared his intention, both to the people and to the soldiers who were assembled on this extraordinary occasion As soon as lie bad divested himself of the purple, be withdrew from the gazing multitude', and. traversing to tho city in a covered chariot, proceeded without delay to tho favorite retirement which lie had chosen in his native country of Dalmatia. On the same day, which was the first of May, Maximan, as it had been previously concerted, made his resignation at Milan. Even in till l splendor of the Roman triumph Diocletian hud meditated abdicating the government. As he wished to secure the obedience of Maximal], he exacted from him either a general assurance that lie would submit his actions to the authority of his benefactor, or a particular promise that he would descend from the throne whenever he should receive the advice and example. This engagement, though it was confirmed by the solemnity of an oatli before the altar of the Capitolinc Jupiter, would have proved a feeble restraint on the fierce temper of Maximian, pliose passion was love of power, and who neither desired present tranquillity nor future reputation. But he yielded, however, reluctantly, to the ascendancy which his wiser colleague had acquired over him, and retired immediately after his abdication to a villa in Lucania, where it was almost impossible that such an impatient spirit could find lasting tranquillity. Diocletian, who, from a sprv.de origin, had raised himself to the throne, passed the nine last years of his life in a private condition. Reason had dictated, and content seems to have accompanied his retreat, m which lie enjoyed for a long time tlie respect of tlioso princes to whom ho nail resigned the possession of the world, i It is seldom that minds long exercised ill business have formed any habits of conversing with themselves, and in the loss of power they principally regret the want of occupation. ' The anujspmcirts of letters and of devotion, which afford so many resources in .solitude, were incapable of fixing the attention of Diocletian; hut ho had preserved, or at least- soon recovered, a taste for the most innocent as well as natural pleasuies, and his leisure hours were sufficiently employed in building, planting, andgardening. His answer to Maximian is deservedly celebrated. He was solicited by that restless old man tu re-iissiinie the reins ot goiei-n.* ment and the Imperial purple. He rejected the temptation wtli a smile of pity, calmly observing that it lie could'show Maximian the cabbages which be had planted with his own hands at Salona, he should no longer ho urged to relinquish the enjoyment of happiness for flic pursuit of power. Iu his conversatfifli with his friends he frequently acknbwlodged that of all the arts the most difficult was tlie art of reigning: ;iiijj bp expressed himselt on thatfavorite ' topic if- flpfflT? fit warmth, which could lie the result oqly of experience. ”H OV 7 ..often,*' was he aeusiomeef to say, "is it ip the interest of four or five ministers to combine together to deceive their sovereign ! Secluded from mankind by bis exalted dignity, the truth is concealed from his knowledge; be can sec only with one pair of eyes, be Rears nothing )pit t(ipi|.- piisj.epi'jisontations, He confers the most important offices upon vice and weakness, and disgraces the most virtuous and deserving among his subjects. By such infamous arts,” adds Diocletian, "the best and wisest princes are solf.l t ; . the renal corruption of their courtiers.’” A ,msf psfcqiiate i'll grciitiicss, and the assurance of immortal la me, improve our relish for the pleasures of roirement : but the Roman Emperor bad filled too imporant a c}u)rncter in tlie world to enjoy without ulipy tlie eninlorls and security of a private epijtlition. Feat, spriow, Hull discontent sometimes pursued him into the solitudes of foolaim. His tenderness, or at least his pride, was dceplv wounded at the niislortlines of his wife and daughter; amt the last iiioinepts of Diocletian were enibttered by some aitfqnis, yliiph pius and Constantine might have spared li}.o father of so many emperors and the first author of timer own fortune. A report, though of a very doubtful nature has reached our times, that he prudently withdrew himself from their power by a voluntary death. __