WI Diocletian loses the Battle of Margus?

In November 284 the young Emperor Numerian was found dead in his carriage in Chalkedon... Valerius Diocles accused Praetorian Praefect L. Flavius Aper that he had murdered him and killed him on the spot... He was immediately proclaimed Emperor by the soldiers as Emperor Diocletianus...
Upon hearing that Carinus (Numerian's elder brother and ruler of the West) he departed Rome to fight Diocletian and after putting down the revolt of Iulius Sabinus in Pannonia he clashed with Diocletian in Moesia in the battle of Margus...
Carinus was winning the battle when he was backstabbed and killed by one of his tribunes (whose wife had seduced)... With Carinus dead his army left the battle and Diocletian was declared winner...
WI Carinus had survived and won the battle of Margus? How is that altering Roman History? One thing is for sure... NO Tetrarchy... What happens then? Any thoughts?
 
Most likely the third century crisis continues for a longer period of time. In this you would see several generals seize power as emperor, some would fight barbarians off successfully, but most would be assassinated within a few years.

My question is whether or not generals of the tetrachy such as Maximinus or Galienus could have risen to power without Diocletian?
 
I agree with the crisis continuing further into the 4th century... But would this crisis lead to a permanent destabilization of the Empire and an eventual collapse or there could be an "anti-Diocletian" figure that could hold the Empire together?
 
Top