World Studies 10 9.15.17 Turn in: Nothing Take out: Writing Implement The start of your notes… Today’s Learning Objectives: I can describe what changes took place leading to the Middle Ages Today’s Agenda: Briefly look at the Roman Empire… Begin unit on Early Modern Europe HW: None
The Roman Empire at its Height The Empire reached its height under Emperor Diocletian (284-305 CE)
Political Problems Poor leaders weakened the government Frequent fights for power Many officials took bribes Talented people chose not to serve due to dangers of government life
Social Problems Taxes were too great, many rich people stopped paying People stopped attending school… Large number of people enslaved Plague (disease) spread throughout Rome, killing 1 in 10 Famine: There was not enough food to feed people
Economic Problems Farmers lost land, unable to grow and sell crops, out of work (and famine) People bought fewer goods, shops closed Inflation occurred: Rapidly rising prices. Money lost value because fewer taxes paid. Coins lost value: Less gold put in, people found out (caused inflation) Bartering grew: sell goods without using money No taxes, no money
Military Problems Military only in it for money (mercenaries) Less money to pay military = weak/disloyal military Constant threat of invaders on empire’s borders (issues with “Empire” in general…) Weaker military, unable to stop border invasions
Diocletian 284 CE, Diocletian became emperor Tried reforms (political changes) Set price limits on goods (if a person went beyond limits, put to death) and ordered workers to stay in jobs to death
Dividing the Empire Diocletian felt that the only way to save the empire was to divide it in half Created two empires: Western and Eastern Western Empire: Europe/ North Africa and city of Rome Eastern Empire: Turkey/ Asia and city of Byzantium Two emperors, emperor in charge of Rome was senior
Constantine Diocletian retired and Constantine took his place as emperor Constantine (312 CE) united the empire again under one ruler First Christian emperor? Edict of Milan? Attempted reforms Main reform: sons had to follow fathers’ trade
Constantinople Rome continued to decline Constantine moved the capital from Rome to city of Byzantium City name changed to Constantinople
Current Day
Europe After the Fall of Rome Political, Social, and Economic decline. “Civilized” groups from the Middle East (Muslims), China (Huns) and India (Aryans?) conducted series of invasions. Trade slowed, towns were emptied, and classical learning stopped. “Dark” ages—Medieval or “Middle Ages.”
Europe After the Fall of Rome Germanic Tribes Goths, Vandals, Saxons, and Franks Culture was different from Romans Agricultural Ruled by custom instead of law A massive series of “Kingdoms” Clovis, King of the Franks 486, conquers Gaul Coverts to Christianity—ally of the pope
The Spread of Christianity through the Middle Ages
Rise of Christianity Started by Jesus of Nazareth (6/4BCE-31/33CE) & Paul of Tarsus Seen as an odd cult; persecuted off and on for many years in Rome—mainly for fun
Rise of Christianity All that changed with Edict of Milan in 313 Incredibly rapid expansion Council of Nicea in 325 Arianism (Arius) vs. Trinitarianism “Conversion” of Constantine Made official state religion in 380(1) Theodsius (first emperor raised as a Christian?) So, here’s the question: What was the main cause of the spread of Christianity?
Clovis (Leader of the Franks) spreads Christianity Rise of Christianity Clovis (Leader of the Franks) spreads Christianity Story goes that he coverts on battlefield (c. 486) and then uses it as a way to lord over others eventually you had to be Christian to do anything But WHY?!? Erases lines of church and state
Europe After the Fall of Rome Charlemagne Grandson of Charles Martel (“The Hammer”) [defeated the Muslims— Battle of Tours, 732] Briefly united western Europe December 25, 800—Pope Leo III crowns him Emperor of the Romans (Christendom) Establishment of the HRE—Holy Roman Empire Everyone safe until…wait for it