It was during the last part of Diocletianus's reign that Armenia accepted Christianity as its official state religion. We know that Diocletianus was among those emperors who, for political reasons, mistreated the Christians. Despite this there are no indications that he showed any malevolence towards Armenia when the country became Christian.
Besides, the acceptance of Christianity during the reign of Diocletianus' successor, Emperor Constantine, would put an end to the difference between the religions of Armenia and Rome. Sadly enough, the reign of Emperor Constantine meant also the beginning of the end of the Roman presence in the east. After that period the representative of Rome in the east was not Rome itself, but its successor, the Eastern Roman Empire or the Byzantine Empire, which never succeeded in living up to the reputation of its predecessor.
With Rome's exit from the political arena in the east, it is opportune to investigate the importance of the eastern wars and their role in the disintegration of the Roman Empire. This disintegration resulted when Rome concentrated its strength on the war against Persia and could not allocate sufficient power against the barbarians in the west in order to force them into a final decisive defeat. According to W. S. Davis, Rome fought only with one hand against the barbarian tribes in the west, since its other hand was paralysed by the constant threat posed by the Sasanids. 24 Here we see, once more, the important strategic role of Armenia.
Armenia was like a natural geographical shield. Instead of dragging the country into endless disputes and internal conflicts and trying to weaken it, Rome had decided not only to hold on to it as an ally but also to maintain its independent government, strengthen its forces and assist in its development. Thanks to this Armenia was able to play a decisive historical role at that time. The country was given singlehanded responsibility for the defence of the eastern borders of the Roman Empire and in this way allow Rome to concentrate its strength against the savage tribes in the west. Emperor Diocletianus began this policy, but it was unfortunately never pursued by his successors.
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