Tossup

A primary source marvels at this ruler’s poetic quoting of the line “Tis by the hand of the mighty Aeneas you perish” when executing an opponent, as this ruler was a so-called (10[1])“military man.” A column erroneously known as “Pompey’s Pillar” honors this ruler as polioúchos (“po-lee-OO-koss”) of Alexandria, the city where he defeated Aurelius Achilleus (“ack-il-AY-us”). The final section of the Historia Augusta records this ruler’s killing of Aper (10[2])(“AY-per”) after the death of Numerian. This ruler reformed his empire by grouping new, smaller provinces into a system of twelve dioceses. (10[1])The destruction of a church in Nicomedia in 303 CE began the Great Persecution instituted by (10[1])this (10[1])ruler, (10[1]-5[1])who also issued the ineffective Edict on Maximum Prices. (10[1])For 10 points, name this emperor who co-ruled with Maximian before establishing the Tetrarchy. (10[1])■END■ (10[1])

ANSWER: Diocletian [or Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus; or Diokletianós; accept Diocles; prompt on Jovius] (The first sentence refers to Diocletian’s killing of Aper in the Historia Augusta.)
<Waterloo A, Other History>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups