The image of Diocletian in Lactantius’ "De mortibus persecutorum"

This article considers the portrayal of the Emperor Diocletian as a statesman and in-dividual in Lactantius’ work De Mortibus Persecutorum. This treatise by a Christianphilosopher allows us to not only appreciate the nature of the relationship between theChristian Church and the Roman State during the period of the late Roman Empire,but also to look at the political and ideological environment in late Roman society, 296 which was undergoing large-scale transformation. One of the elements of this trans-formative process was the change in the status and role of Christianity, which, duringthe period under consideration, gradually changes from a persecuted religious sect toa predominant religion.