Class 6 Fall of Western Roman Empire Dr. Ann T. Orlando 21 September 2017

Introduction Fourth Century after Constantine Pope Damasus Fifth Century Invasions Fall of Empire in West City of Rome

Key Historical Events in 4th Century after Constantine Constantine’s Empire gets divided among his sons; but this only leads to civil war and a weakened Empire After Constantine, all Emperors except Julian the Apostate (361-363) were Christians Some of Constantine's successors in 4th C were Arians; sent missionaries to Goths north of Danube (Arian missionary and bishop Wulfila) Constantinople becomes the most powerful city in the Empire

The Waning Political Importance of the City of Rome No Emperor from Diocletian makes Rome his real political capital Milan becomes Western political and military capital in 4th C Constantinople becomes most important imperial center from 4th C

Roman-Barbarian Relationships Because it is over-extended, Roman military tries to enlist barbarian tribes into defense of frontier along Danube, Rhine, and in England Barbarians get trade Romans get security Two problems with arrangement Barbarians come ‘peacefully’ into Roman territory during times of famine or when pushed by other tribes (e.g. Huns) Romans increasingly think of tribes as auxiliary troops and try to move them around Empire, especially to fight Persians in 4th C

Social Differences in Military Structures Roman Military Structure Very hierarchical Soldiers not allowed to marry until they retire Infantry Germanic Tribes Structure Very diffuse; gorilla type warfare Families expected to travel with the ‘army’ Cavalry

Classic Battle: Adrianople Between Roman troops under Emperor Valens and Goths 9 August 378 Roman army is completely destroyed Valens disappears in the carnage Most of the 40,000 Roman troops are lost Often thought to signal ‘beginning of end’ of Roman Empire Last Western Emperor 479 Last Eastern Roman Emperor 1453 Still studied today by military historians Artifacts from battle are still being discovered http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/Mediterranean/Adrianople.html

Reaction to Adrianople Ambrose: “the destruction of the entire globe, the end of the world, the funerals of relatives, the deaths of fellow citizens and above all the violation of holy virgins and widows, which is more bitter than any death.” “When I heard the result of the engagement I beat my brow, tore my hair and pondered the cause of the disaster” Basil, “I have heard that all the roads are filled with brigands and deserters Gregory of Nyssa: “Let us fear afflictions, let us expect dangers; the criminal Goths who are giving birth to a war against us are not far off.” John Chrysostom reported a prophecy in Constantinople before Valens went to battle that if Valens did not reopen orthodox churches, he would be defeated “widows of the fallen have no idea what became of their husbands”

Adrianople and Church History Emperor Valens To resolve infighting among Constantine's successors, empire divided East and West, along Diocletian’s lines Valens Augustus in East is an Arian Patriarchate of Constantinople staunchly Arian during his reign After battle Orthodox will claim battle was God’s wrath on Valens and Arians Turning point in balance of political power between Arians and Orthodox Theodosius becomes orthodox emperor

Split Empire after Theodosius When Theodosius dies in 395, empire split between his sons Arcadius in the East (r. 395-408) Honorius in West (r. 395-423) Both face severe pressures from Germanic tribes along their borders

Election of Pope Damasus (r. 366-384) Civil and economic importance of Papacy in city of Rome dramatically increases after Constantine Election of the pope becomes a civil and economic matter as well as religious Riots break out with much blood shed between Damusus’ supporters and those of his rival, Ursinus Damasus election affirmed by emperor (Gratian and Theodosius)

Importance of Pope Damasus Tasks Jerome to translate Scripture to Latin Undertakes the translation of liturgy to Latin Asserted Papal primacy from Jesus (Matt 16:16) through Peter That is, importance of Bishop of Rome beyond Apostolic Succession First organization of papal archives

5th Century Invasions http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/firsteuro/imgs/map24.html

Eastern Roman Empire: Arcadius Weak ruler, dominated by his ministers and his wife, Eudoxia Strong military leaders manage to protect Eastern Empire from invaders Which only pushes the Germanic tribes further West to weaker Western Empire Wife consumed by desire for wealth and power, opposed by St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom (349 – 407) Born and educated in Antioch Acquired sobriquet “Golden Mouth” for his preaching in Antioch Became Patriarch of Constantinople in 397 Almost immediately ran afoul of both Imperial and Church politics Political and doctrinal disputes between Alexandria and Antioch Imperial politics, especially in terms of concern for the poor Because of political problems, John was exiled (twice)

Western Roman Emperor Honorius To combat continued waves of German barbarians, Honorius Moves Capital to Ravenna Relies on a German general confederate, Stilicho Stilicho ‘protects’ Western Empire (by now Italy and North Africa) But is accused of treason by Honorius in 408 and executed As a result, no strong military leader to defend city of Rome leading to sack in 410

Fall of Rome Fall of Rome in 410 to Alaric had a huge psychological impact The Goths sacking Rome were Arian Christians “My voice sticks in my throat, and as I dictate, sobs choke my utterance. The City which had taken the whole world, was itself taken.” St. Jerome Augustine writes The City of God Dies as the Vandals besiege Hippo

Ravenna New capital of the Western Empire during reign of Honorius in 402: Ravenna Along Adriatic and with a good port, much easier to escape to Constantinople from Ravenna than Rome For most of the 5th through 8th C, Ravenna will be most important political and military capital in West Ravenna will be politically closer to Constantinople than Rome for most of Middle Ages

Fall of Western Roman Empire With continued pressure from north, last Roman emperor in West, Romulus, abdicates He lives the rest of his life in Constantinople Odoacer becomes first German ruler in Italy (r. 476-493) He is overthrown by Ostrogoth, Theodoric (r. 493-526) Theodoric imprisons Pope St. John I because he would not recognize validity of Arian Christianity Imprisons and executes Boethius for treason, Consolation of Philosophy

Arian Ravenna Theodoric captured Ravenna in 493 and made it his capital Built S. Apollianre which includes mosaics showing Theodoric Theodoric’s mausoleum in Ravenna and still stands

The City of Rome Abandoned politically and militarily, by 5th C Rome’s only source of stability is Papacy Pope adopts title of pontiff in late 4th C (maybe Damasus?) Pontifex Maximus seems to be a Renaissance title for Papacy Pontifex Maximus is not recognized by the Annuario Pontificio Population in City of Rome 2nd C +/- 1 million In 6th C +/- 50,000 Except to extent that Pope becomes a political (and military) leader of Papal States, Rome will not be a capital city again until end of 19th C