Diocletian’s Palace at Split

Talk by  Isabella Image

The late antique emperor Diocletian saved the empire from collapse by instituting a new system of government. However, his most enduring legacy was probably his wide-ranging building schemes which included renovation work at Palmyra, Luxor and the existing Senate House in the Roman Forum. This lecture looks at his monumental palace at Split (modern day Croatia) including the domed mausoleum and the southern facade along the sea front. We will also consider its impact on the young architect Robert Adam, leading to him publishing illustrations of the building and subsequently to its influence on neo-classicism and 18th century architecture.