Question

Which of Diocletian’s changes illustrated his adoption of the title dominus, in place of the more traditional princeps?
Illustrate|
Does Not Illustrate|

1. He moved his capital to Nicomedia (in modern Turkey) but left the Senate in Rome.
2. His clothing, palace, and public ceremonies began to resemble those of Persian royalty.
3. He refused to allow artists to depict his likeness in sculpture or painting.
4. He dismissed Christians and Manicheans from government jobs.

Answer 1

1. Illustrate — relocating the imperial residence to Nicomedia and distancing the emperor from the Senate signaled a break with the "first among equals" model and a more autocratic, palace-centered rule.
2. Illustrate — adopting oriental-style clothing, palace splendor, and ceremonial court ritual is a classic expression of the dominus ("lord") posture.
3. Does Not Illustrate — the dominus model emphasized visible imperial majesty and ceremony; refusing portraits would run counter to that practice.
4. Does Not Illustrate — removing Christians and Manicheans from office reflects religious and administrative policy, not specifically the change from princeps to the more monarchical title dominus.