Tristan Hughes

Brilliant.

Well, now let's talk about his rise to power.

So let's get to that stage of 284.

First off, do we know much about his origins?

Do we know much about his backstory?

And of those three, it's Carus and Numerian.

They're the two which get struck by lightning, aren't they, in quick succession?

Yes, Carus is the dad.

Numerian is one of the sons.

And Diocles is serving in Numerian's army as one of the highest positions when Numerian falls, sorry, gets struck by lightning.

When Numerian dies, and he's in Turkey at that time, isn't he?

Yes.

Let's start at the beginning of his reign.

So Numerian dies and his father Carus had died as well.

But Carinus or Carinus, however you say his name, he's still around.

So do we know how Diocletian goes from being on the spot when Numerian dies to him actually being proclaimed emperor?

Yes.

Isn't there something like the Battle of the Magus River or something like that, that has seen this sometimes that Carinus and Diocletian, they have a big battle and then Diocletian wins it?

Or is that less clear whether it actually happened then?

So what sort of empire?