Dominate

• Historians divide the Roman Empire into two Periods called the ‘Principate’ and the ‘Dominate’, which are also known as the Early Roman Empire (27BCE-284 CE) and the Late Roman Empire (284-476 CE).
• Under the Principate, great care was taken by the Emperors to preserve the impression that the Institutions of the Roman Republic still existed. Under the Dominate, all pretence was abandoned in favour of an Absolute Monarchy.

The Principate

• Also known as the ‘Early Roman Empire’ from 27 BCE until 284 CE.
• The Title is derived from ‘Princeps Civitatis’ meaning ‘First Citizen’.
• Augustus (27 BCE-14 CE) used this title as did subsequent Roman Emperors up until Diocletian (284-305 CE).
• Historians therefore, refer to this Period as the ‘Principate’.
• This is because great care was taken by these Emperors to preserve the impression that the Institutions of the Roman Republic still existed.

The Dominate

• Also known as the ‘Late Roman Empire’, from 284 CE until the Fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE.
• The Title is derived from ‘Dominus’, meaning ‘Lord’ or ‘Master’.
• Diocletian (284-305 CE) preferred to use the title ‘Dominus’ instead of ‘Princeps’.
• All pretence of continuing the Institutions of the Roman Republic was abandoned, in favour of an Absolute Monarchy.
• However, the Roman Republic was never officially abolished and continued to exist until 476 CE.