Retirement of an emperor - may I follow him in 2023!

[voulgaroktonou]

While I understand neither the syntax of nor the reference to the question posed the stony old gentleman in his garden in Split, his reply pretty much captures the essence recorded by Aurelius Victor’s Epitome De Caesaribus 39:6, to messengers from Maximianus and Galerius asking him to resume the mantle of empire:  "Utinam Salonae possetis visere olera nostris manibus instituta, profecto numquam istud temptandum iudicaretis".

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by voulgaroktonou
attached initially wrong photo

[Edessa]

On 12/28/2022 at 11:29 AM, voulgaroktonou said:

While I understand neither the syntax of nor the reference to the question posed the stony old gentleman in his garden in Split, his reply pretty much captures the essence recorded by Aurelius Victor’s Epitome De Caesaribus 39:6, to messengers from Maximianus and Galerius asking him to resume the mantle of empire:  "Utinam Salonae possetis visere olera nostris manibus instituta, profecto numquam istud temptandum iudicaretis".

 

I walked into Diocletian's Palace in Split in the Summer of 2007, only to find a Jimi Hendrix poster for sale at the first vendor's table and the Beatles playing "Let It Be" over the loudspeaker. I will say that the acoustics in the building were interesting.

[Kali]

Diocletian, As Senior Augustus, (305-311/2 A.D.)
Æ Follis
Abdication Issue
O: D N DIOCLETIANO BAEATISS, laureate bust right, wearing imperial mantle, holding olive branch and mappa.
R: PROVIDENTIA DEORVM, Providentia standing left, extending branch to Quies standing opposite who holds a scepter; Є/KP between, ALE in exergue.
Alexandria mint, struck A.D. 308-310.
6.55g
26mm
RIC VI 109

[Troyden]

Diocletian's retirement commemorative follis. 305 AD, Ticinum (modern Pavia) mint. 
Catalogue: RIC VI Ticinum 57a

[voulgaroktonou]

On 1/1/2023 at 9:22 AM, Edessa said:

I walked into Diocletian's Palace in Split in the Summer of 2007, only to find a Jimi Hendrix poster for sale at the first vendor's table and the Beatles playing "Let It Be" over the loudspeaker. I will say that the acoustics in the building were interesting.

Now THAT'S interesting! 😀

[JeandAcre]

On 1/1/2023 at 6:22 AM, Edessa said:

I walked into Diocletian's Palace in Split in the Summer of 2007, only to find a Jimi Hendrix poster for sale at the first vendor's table and the Beatles playing "Let It Be" over the loudspeaker. I will say that the acoustics in the building were interesting.

Fantastic example, @Kali.  Inviting the question of why Anyone would buy a Jimi Hendrix poster as a souvenir of Split.  Try Seattle (whose unofficial civic anthem should be this):  

...Never mind the Beatles.  (I don't think you want my opionion of them.  Spoiler: 'overrated' might be involved.) 

But really, only from translation, I've always found that line from Diocletian really poignant.  Evoking how, for instance, Jean de Brienne ended his life as a Franciscan monk.  Along the lines of, 'I'm done with this racket.'

Edited January 16, 2023 by JeandAcre