in Greek.  The Greek versions differ from one another, while the Latin texts are identical, except for the stone-cutters’ mistakes here and there.  These facts make it clear that the original document was in Latin, and was translated into Greek by the local officials of each town where the tablets were set up.  We have already noticed that specimens of the edict have not been found outside of Egypt, Greece, and Asia Minor, and this was the part of the Roman world where Diocletian ruled.  Scholars have also observed that almost all the manufactured articles which are mentioned come from Eastern points.  From these facts it has been inferred that the edict was to apply to the East only, or perhaps more probably that Diocletian drew it up for his part of the Roman world, and that before it could be applied to the West it was repealed.

From the pieces which were then known, a very satisfactory reconstruction of the document was made by Mommsen and published in the Corpus of Latin Inscriptions.[88]

The work of restoration was like putting together the parts of a picture puzzle where some of the pieces are lacking.  Fragments are still coming to light, and possibly we may have the complete text some day.  As it is, the introduction is complete, and perhaps four-fifths of the list of articles with prices attached are extant.  The introduction opens with a stately list of the titles of the two Augusti and the two Caesars, which fixes the date of the proclamation as 301 A.D.  Then follows a long recital of the circumstances which have led the government to adopt this drastic method of controlling prices.  This introduction is one of the most extraordinary pieces of bombast, mixed metaphors, loose syntax, and incoherent expressions that Latin literature possesses.  One is tempted to infer from its style that it was the product of Diocletian’s own pen.  He was a man of humble origin, and would not live in Rome for fear of being laughed at on account of his plebeian training.  The florid and awkward style of these introductory pages is exactly what we should expect from a man of such antecedents.

It is very difficult to translate them into intelligible English, but some conception of their style and contents may be had from one or two extracts.  In explaining the situation which confronts the world, the Emperor writes:  “For, if the raging avarice ... which, without regard for mankind, increases and develops by leaps and bounds, we will not say from year to year, month to month, or day to day, but almost from hour to hour, and even from minute to minute, could be held in check by some regard for moderation, or if the welfare of the people could calmly tolerate this mad license from which, in a situation like this, it suffers in the worst possible fashion from day to day, some ground would appear, perhaps, for concealing the truth and saying nothing; ... but inasmuch as there is only seen a mad desire without control, to pay