An Emperor of Rome who abdicated the throne to plant cabbages

Contrary to what often happened to the Roman emperors. Diocletian died peacefully in his bed. Of his 26 immediate predecessors, only one was equally fortunate. Of modest origin, born in a region currently integrated in the former Yugoslavia. Diocletian rose quickly in the hierarchy of the Roman army, being proclaimed Emperor by his troops in 284, at 39 years.
For the next two decades he succeeded in maintaining the cohesive empire, above all thanks to the division of command, which he shared with his son-in-law and comrade-in-arms Maximiano. In 305, both abdicated in favor of carefully chosen successors.
Diocletian immediately retired to his village of Slona, ​​near the present city of Split, where he spent the rest of his life tending his garden.
Maximian found it more difficult to adapt to the reform: he soon contacted Diocletian, suggesting that they take up the reins of power. "Ah," Diocletian replied, refusing to return to public life. "If only you saw the cabbages I planted with my own hands ..."