 The dual system evidently worked well . About 287 , the two rulers ' relationship was re @-@ defined in religious terms , with Diocletian assuming the title <unk> and Maximian Herculius . The titles were pregnant with symbolism : Diocletian @-@ Jove had the dominant role of planning and commanding ; Maximian @-@ Hercules the heroic role of completing assigned tasks . Yet despite the symbolism , the emperors were not " gods " in the Imperial cult ( although they may have been hailed as such in Imperial panegyrics ) . Instead , they were the gods ' instruments , imposing the gods ' will on earth . Once the rituals were over , Maximian assumed control of the government of the West and was dispatched to Gaul to fight the rebels known as Bagaudae while Diocletian returned to the East . 
