The main structure was in the form of a somewhat irregular quadrangle, whose east and west sides were over seven hundred feet long, the north being slightly shorter. The south face looked out over the sea at a height of some eighty feet and was roughly six hundred feet in length. Built into the side facing the water, and some thirty feet above the rocky shore, was a lovely pillared gallery of twentyfour arches with an underground passage leading to the water. Several galleys were always at anchor there, affording a route of escape should the nearly sevenfoot masonry walls of the castle ever be breached by an invader.
Diocletian’s living quarters were in the south face of the palace, with a triclinium, cubiculae for sleeping, a hall of pools and statues, numerous baths and every comfort a Roman accustomed to luxurious living could wish. Breezes from the sea kept the palace pleasantly cool, and the water supply came fresh and cold from the heights above through an aqueduct some five miles in length. There was even a small private Temple of Jupiter within the walls and, of course, the gardens for which Diocletian had longed.
Constantine was pleased
Loving the old man as he did, Constantine was pleased with the way Diocletian’s health improved, once he was away from the cares of the court and the tasks of ruling. The beloved cabbages were already flourishing when they arrived at Salonae at the beginning of the second week in May. The sun was warm, flowers were beginning to bloom everywhere, and the whole verdant countryside redounded with the lush aroma of freshly turned earth and growing things.
Diocletian insisted that Constantine join him and Empress Prisca for their meals, treating the young officer in every way like one of the family. Actually the task of managing the small detachment of guard was handled easily by Dacius, so Constantine had little else to do. Being naturally vigorous, however, the young officer spent his energies in the manifold training duties every bornan soldier performed wherever he was: wrestling with the troops, throwing the spear, engaging in mock sword battles, and finishing off each period of vigorous action with a pleasant swim in the waters of the sea that lapped at the foundation of the palace.
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