In the third century, Egypt was one of the most populous and productive regions of the Roman Empire, and the Empire increasingly relied upon Egyptian grain to feed its armies. In the late 290s, Lucius Domitius Domitianus proved to be a potent challenge to the reign of Diocletian. Along with his right-hand man, Aurelius Achilleus, he held most of Egypt for six months, much of western Lower Egypt for ten months, and the great city of Alexandria for perhaps as many as eighteen. At the same time, there was an invasion of southern Egypt by the Blemmyes, conflicts in Africa and Britain, and an ongoing conflict with Persia. That Diocletian would focus on suppressing this revolt in Egypt, then, only emphasizes just how serious it was.
While this revolt was relatively small in terms of territory, it represented a far more substantial threat in terms of population and wealth.
