Class 6 Fall of Western Roman Empire Dr. Ann T. Orlando 20 September 2018

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

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

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

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

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

The Huns Led by Attila (d. 453), known in the West as ‘The Scourge of God’ Nomads from east of the Caspian sea Began campaign against the Eastern Roman Empire across the Danube Settled when Theodosius II agreed to pay tribute (c. 443) Attila then attacked the weaker West, beginning in Gaul and moving through Italy Attila suffered defeat by the Visigoths, retreated East to present-day Hungary

Pope St. Leo the Great Born in Tuscany; deacon under Pope Celestine Pope 440-461 Fought against Pelagians and Manicheans Deeply influenced by Augustine Concerned for Church discipline, Proper forms for Latin liturgies Papal control over appointment of bishops; conflict with St. Hilary of Arles Managed to convince barbarians not to sack Rome Attila the Hun Genseric the Vandal Most famous for Christological formula, “One person, two natures”

St. Peter Chrysologus (380-450) Archbishop of Ravenna 423-450 Ravenna was the de facto Byzantine capital of the Western Empire Strong supporter of Leo the Great against monophysites Died just before Council of Chalcedon Peter first referred to as ‘Chrysologus’ (golden word) in 8th C when a collection of his sermons was compiled Saint and doctor of the Church

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. Apollinare 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

4th C Christian Gaul St. and Dr. Hilary of Poitiers (310-367) Pagan parents; Hilary, wife and daughter converted to Orthodox Christianity Became bishop of Poitiers c 350 But surrounded by Arians; his most important work was On the Trinity St. Martin of Tours (316-397) Was a Roman soldier and became a Catholic catechumen Story of dividing his cloak with a beggar Converted by Hilary, and became his disciple Became bishop of Tours in 371 Famous for founding important monasteries in France

On Important 5th C Difference: the Franks Franks were one of Germanic tribes Key difference was that their 5th C leader, Clovis is baptized a Catholic (NOT Arian) Christian in 496 And the rest is history….