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Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games June 1, 2005 Food & History Emperor’s cabbage garden Jeff Cheek This column is for gardeners, everywhere. We are all members of the Muddy Knees and Dirty Hands Brigade. We understand the decision made by Roman Emperor Diocletian 1,700 years ago. The once mighty Roman Empire was crumbling when Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus was born in what is now Split, Croatia, on the Dalmathian Coast, about 245 AD. Power once held in Rome had been usurped by generals in the provinces. In many places, the legions had not been paid in years. They supported themselves as armed brigands, taking what they wanted from the civilians they were supposed to protect. Rivalry between ambitious generals led to civil strife everywhere. This weakened the army so badly that hostile tribes on the borders, notably the Goths and Alamanni, invaded and ransacked Roman territory without risk. Diocletian is credited with saving the empire and is often called “the Father of the second Roman Empire.” Diocletian began life in the lower classes. His father was supposedly a freed slave. But his son had a driving energy, forceful personality, and a genius for organization. He joined the army and rose rapidly through the ranks. By 284, the poor boy from Split was leading an army against the Persians. His commander was Emperor’s Carinus’s brother, Numerian. When a jealous rival named Aper murdered Numerian, Diocletian killed him with his sword. This fulfilled a soothsayer’s prediction: He would be Emperor when he killed a special boar. Aper is “boar” in Latin. When Carinus died a year later, his soldiers proclaimed Diocletian as their new emperor. He had won fame as a cavalry officer. Now he took over the bigger job of managing and restoring an empire. Under his leadership, the empire was reborn. He decreed price controls or a “maximum price index” to combat speculation and inflation. The army was brought under control. Taxes were collected. Most important, he created a new political structure for his country. The Roman Empire was too big for one man to administer, so he set up an eastern and western sphere. He kept the eastern half, while selecting another soldier from an humble birth, his friend Maximian, to rule the west. Stability returned. Diocletian ruled for two decades. Then, in May 305 he abdicated voluntarily. He had had his fill of power and glory. He said an emotional farewell to his troops, then formally divested himself of his imperial purple robe. He went back to his hometown to live peacefully and grow vegetables. Years later Maximian wrote him, suggesting that he get back into politics. He said no: “If you could see my cabbages, you would understand the impossibility of your suggestion.” Diocletian had 11 years of peace and quiet before dieing in 316. You can prepare Skillet Cabbage from your own garden. Ingredients 4 cups shredded cabbage 1 bell pepper, diced 2 cups chopped celery 2 onions, sliced 2 tomatoes, chopped 1/4 cup bacon drippings 2 teaspoons sugar Salt and pepper to taste Preparation Combine all ingredients in large, covered skillet. Cook, covered, over moderate to medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burnt taste. Flavors should blend. Serve. --> Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.