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Military Reforms of Diocletian - Roman Imperial Army DOCUMENTARY

Kings and Generals

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Our animated historical documentary series on the evolution of Roman armies and tactics continues with a video on the military reforms of Roman Emperors Gallienus, Diocletian and Constantine, as the introduction of limitanei, comitatenses and other reforms changed the armies of the Roman empire.

Previous videos in the Evolution of Armies and Tactics series: Marian Reforms and their Military Effects ...

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We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors, who made this video possible: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_...

The video was made by our friend Arb Paninken http://bit.ly/2Ow3oC8 while the script was researched and written by Matt Hollis

This video was narrated by Officially Devin (@offydgg & @gameworldnarratives)

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#Documentary #RomanArmy #Diocletian

20 Comments

@KingsandGenerals Creator 6 years ago Pinned

Someone is planning a comeback: http://bit.ly/37BO4Ms

@wargriffin5 6 years ago

Comitatenses: "Damn weekend-warrior Limitanei, always showing up late with their old ass equipment."

@paradox7358 6 years ago

"Our series on the Roman armies will continue all the way to 1453"

Oh yeah, talk to me baby.

@francomilazzo8277 4 years ago

>comes out of nowhere
>declares war on the emperor
>wins and declares himself emperor
>fixes the empire
>abdicates after 20 years because "no one should rule for so long"
>lives retired till his peaceful death

@DeathmasterSniktch 6 years ago

Last time I was this early legionaries were still paid in salt.

@marcelcostache2504 6 years ago

A state that survived for 2200 years started as a city state in Italy build an universal empire and ended up as a Greek Orthodox state on the Bosporus what a history no state in history of humanity changed so much since it’s beginning to its end.

@Liquidsback 6 years ago

Don't forget the Chariot Ballistas, the chanting priests that boast morale and carry big crosses as well as the Foederati who all have small buckler shields, spears and are all blonde with Suebian knots.

@Mikethehamham 6 years ago

My boy Aurelian could use some love here

@HistoryTime 6 years ago

Oh yes. For sure one of the most captivating eras of the Roman Empire. Maximian, what a legend.

@docslastname2711 6 years ago

The Roman warm period is almost ending

@FernandoMendoza-dw8nz 6 years ago

K&G: "Our series on the Roman army will continue all the way to 1453"
Me:🤓
HRE: 😤

@denniscleary7580 6 years ago

“ I came, I saw, I thumbs up 👍 “

@Thatguyinyourclass 6 years ago

I love that the Romans basically created early feudalism in Europe on accident because they couldn't effectively rule. Like I can see the dark ages coming through. With the castles and forts and defensive buildings along with a system of hierarchy of rulership. Just another reason I love the Roman Empire. They did what they had to do to survive and even after their collapse the groundwork they left was still evident.

@qwertyasdfg6145 6 years ago (edited)

I’M REFOOOOOOORMING

@Armorius2199 6 years ago

Congratulations K&G you've reached the halfway point only a thousand years remaining.

@ethenil_myr 6 years ago

The 4th, 5th and 6th centuries really fascinate me. The transition from antiquity to medieval is very interesting to behold. You can see several things here in this video that lay the foundation for medieval stuff.

Also, the late Roman emperors were guarded by literal paladins!

@dacolgianmarco2833 6 years ago (edited)

Gallienus is undoubtedly one of the most underrated rulers Rome ever had. He managed to reign 15 years (7 with Valerian) in a period when an emperor reigned more or less 3-4 years or some months at best. He was a skilled bureaucrat and general. He opened the highest command posts in the army to the the soldiers who rose from the ranks, thus removing the legati legionis and tribuni laticlavi of senatorial rank with viri militares (praefecti legionis avens vices legatorum and probably the tribuni angusticlavi and primipili doubled their personnel) although this trend had precedents in the Severan period. He wasn't able to win back the East and Postumus rebellion after 260 but he tried to do his best with what he had, helped by the illyrian legions stationed on the Danube, possibly the best of the entire Empire. Love him.

@kettorizor 6 years ago

I heard he cultivated the most glorious cabbbages.

@josefjob 6 years ago

The western empire is nervous about the next video.

@blafoon93 6 years ago

It's astonishing how an empire this large was able to hold together at all. The fastest travel was done by horse, infrastructure was sparse, towns often far in between. The only way to enforce central authority was sending armies from Italy across half of Europe! On foot! Most of the times it took years to reestablish control, decades to repair the damage and break up power structures that arose in a momentary lapse of control.

The Roman superpowers were twofold, their incredible military might and their ability to absorb different cultures and romanise them.