“Diocletian and Constantine devised new economical and social policies that were based on coercion and loss of individual freedom.” City councils began to decline, as they had to make up the difference in the taxes they collected from their own pocket. “This caused both Diocletian and Constantine to issue edicts which forced the rich to remain in their posts as curiales making the positions virtually hereditary.” To maintain a tax base the emperors issued edicts that required people to stay in their chosen vocations. Diocletian introduced a system of annual conscription in which recruits were levied much like taxes. Large landowners would have to provide multiple recruits to the army. Smaller landowners were allowed to pool their resources together and provide one recruit. Roman society viewed this as a steep price to pay for the military defense of the
“Diocletian and Constantine devised new economical and social policies that were based on coercion and loss of individual freedom.” City councils began to decline, as they had to make up the difference in the taxes they collected from their own pocket. “This caused both Diocletian and Constantine to issue edicts which forced the rich to remain in their posts as curiales making the positions virtually hereditary.” To maintain a tax base the emperors issued edicts that required people to stay in their chosen vocations. Diocletian introduced a system of annual conscription in which recruits were levied much like taxes. Large landowners would have to provide multiple recruits to the army. Smaller landowners were allowed to pool their resources together and provide one recruit. Roman society viewed this as a steep price to pay for the military defense of the