Tetrarchy Tables:

These tables are best used in conjunction with the Evolution of the Tetrarchy page which explains the succession of rulers in more detail.  In the first table, each emperor’s name is given the year he came to power.

  • Blue indicates the rank of Caesar, who was, theoretically, second-in-command to the Augustus.
  • Red indicates Augustus

In 324 Constantine became the ruler of the whole empire by defeating Licinius, and named his own sons as Caesars.  The appointment of Crispus and Constantius in 317 does not indicate a loss of power by Constantine, but rather his victory and subsequent privilege of naming the rulers.  Prior to 317, each Caesar seems to have had a certain amount of autonomy in his prefecture.  Constantine’s sons are a slightly different story, deriving their power from their father, who conquered the eastern half of the empire.  This chart does not include the usurper Maxentius, who ruled (occasionally with the help of his retired father Maximian) in Italy from 306-312.

293-304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313
Gaul Constantius Constantine
Italy Maximian Severus Licinius Constantine
Illyricum Diocletian Maximinus Licinius
East Galerius Maximinus Licinius
314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323
Gaul Crispus
Italy
Illyricum Constantius
East

The second table gives each emperor his own color.  The asterisk is used to indicate the year in which a given emperor was named Augustus.  This table shows Constantine’s rise to power especially clearly, noting the ever growing amount of red from left to right.  Crispus’ and Constantius’ cells have been left red, because there is no doubt that Constantine continued to rule those prefectures.  Maxentius and the return of Maximian have been omitted.

293-304 305 306 307 308 309 310 311 312 313
Gaul Constantius * Constantine *
Italy Maximian Severus * Licinius* Constantine
Illyricum Diocletian Maximinus Licinius
East Galerius * Maximinus Licinius
314 315 316 317 318 319 320 321 322 323 324
Gaul Crispus
Italy
Illyricum Constantius
East

Based on T.D. Barnes, Constantine and Eusebius.

Related Pages:

Tetrarchy Table by Region

Diocletian Persecution chart

Created 1/30/09 by JRZ; Last updated 10/19/16 by NJ

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