This was the third remarkable change in the Roman government since the dissolution of the Commonwealth.

The first was that by which Antoninus had taken away the distinctions of the _municipium_, province, and colony, communicating to every part of the Empire those privileges which had formerly distinguished a citizen of Rome.

Thus the whole government was cast into a more uniform and simple frame, and every mark of conquest was finally effaced.

The second alteration was the division of the Empire by Diocletian.

The third was the change made in the great offices of the state, and the revolution in religion, under Constantine.
The _praefecti praetorio_, who, like the commanders of the janizaries of the Porte, by their ambition and turbulence had kept the government in continual ferment, were reduced by the happiest art imaginable.