This Week: New Emperor, New Rome

Notable events in Ancient History for the week of November 19 - 25

November 20, A.D. 284 - Diocletian is named Emperor of Rome on this date. His reforms brought about a new era of autocratic rule to the aging empire. In this second phase that was Rome, the economy and military became stable again. During his reign, the most substantial persecution of Christians took place, lasting until Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan in A.D. 313, which ended relgious-based persecution.

November 20, A.D. 270 - Future Roman Emperor Maximinus is born near the Danube.

November 24 - The Roman Festival of the Brumalia began on this date. It was a feast of Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine, and was celebrated until the winter solstice, which was the shortest day of the year. The festival was adapted from an Ancient Greek festival of the same name (from the Greek bruma, "shortest day"), honoring Dionysus, held on December 25.