December 22
Birth of Diocletian near Salona (Croatia).
The Emperor Carus gives Diocletian charge of an elite cavalry force.
Diocletian obtains a consulship.
November 20
Diocletian is acclaimed as Augustus by his soldiers.
Diocletian and Carinus meet at the Battle of the Margus, where Carinus is killed by his own men. Both the West and East armies declare Diocletian Emperor.
August
Diocletian fights battles against the Quadi and Marcomanni.
November
Diocletian fights along the Danube against the Sarmatians.
July 25
Maximian promoted to Caesar by Diocletian.
April 1
Maximian declares himself Augustus. This is confirmed by Diocletian.
Diocletian assumes the title Iovius and Maximian takes Herculius.
Persia relinquishes control of Armenia and Diocletian annexes it.
Diocletian and Maximian execute a joint campaign against the Alamanni.
January
Diocletian and Maximian meet in Milan and are seen together in a number of public performances.
March 1
Maximian promotes Constantius Chlorus to Caesar with the approval of Diocletian.
Diocletian campaigns successfully against the Sarmatians.
Constantine I fights against barbarians on the Danube for Diocletian.
Constantine I fights against Persians in Syria with Diocletian.
Diocletian puts down a rebellion in the Thebaid area of Egypt.
December
Death of usurper Domitianus in Egypt. Diocletian controls Egyptian countryside.
The Persians under Narseh defeat Galerius. Diocletian publicly humiliates Galerius by placing the entire blame on him and forces him to walk for a mile ahead of the imperial caravan.
Pompey’s Pillar erected in Alexandria to honor Diocletian.
February
Diocletian arrives in Syria after the Egyptian campaign.
April
Peace negotiations occur between Narseh and Diocletian with Galerius.
March 31
Diocletian issues a decree that low-ranking Manichians be executed and high-ranking ones sent to the quarries.
October
Diocletian orders the tongue of the deacon Romanus of Caesarea removed for interrupting sacrifices.
February 23
Diocletian orders the new church in Nikomedia destroyed and its treasure taken.
April 24
Diocletian orders the execution of six high-ranking Christians, including the bishop of Anthimus.
February 24
First of edicts persecuting Christians issues by Diocletian and Galerius.
May 1
Diocletian announces his resignation. Maximian follows suit. Constantius and Galerius are promoted to Augusti, while Severus II and Maximinus are appointed Caesars.
November 11
Galerius calls a council to discuss the disruptive western provinces. Diocletian and Maximian attend. Maximian is forced to abdicate and Constantine the Great is demoted to Caesar under the new Augustus Licinius.
December 3
Death of Diocletian from an illness.