You have just taken over as emperor of Rome after a civil war. There are barbarians invading your borders, and you are having trouble communicating with distant parts of the empire, what do you do? 1. Raise taxes, increase the military, try to regain the glory of the empire 2. Split the empire in two, increase role of state in economy & daily life 3. Sit back & enjoy life, who cares about some frontier provinces?

Fall of Rome & Rise of Christianity Barbarians, Byzantines, & Biblical Folk

When the Romans overthrew their Etruscan rulers, they set up a new government. What kind did they set up? 1. Democracy 2. Oligarchy 3. Republic 4. Imperial

Rome eventually expanded into a massive empire. In doing so they fought a series of three wars (Punic Wars) with what civilization? 1. Greece 2. Persia 3. China 4. Carthage

After defeating Carthage, Rome ruled the Mediterranean world for a few centuries. Trade & cultural exchange flourished during this period known as? 1. Pax Romana 2. Pax Italiano 3. Roman Period 4. Age of Rome

During the Pax Romana, the Republic fell and Rome became an Empire run by single individuals. What things below led to the fall of the Republic? 1. Corruption & gap between rich and poor 2. Foreign citizens & natural disasters 3. Invasions 4. Military wanted one leader

Today’s Learning Goal Today’s Learning Goal Be able to recall important facts about the Roman Empire and its decline Be able to recall important facts about the Roman Empire and its decline Be able to discuss & analyze the internal & external factors that led to the downfall of Rome Be able to discuss & analyze the internal & external factors that led to the downfall of Rome Be able to write a brief statement defending a specific point of view Be able to write a brief statement defending a specific point of view

Roman Decline (handout: Decline Factors) Internal factors Internal factors –Political  Civil wars  Weak leaders –Economic  Inflation  Over-taxation –Social –Christianity  Church leaders took power from emperors  Removed unifying power of Paganism External factors External factors –Invasions  Barbarians  Muslims) –Economic  Trade disruptions  Trade deficits  Economic stagnation –Size of empire  Military overworked  Cultural Decay

Discussion Break Get in groups of two Get in groups of two Discuss the following question: Which factors do you believe were most responsible for the decline of Rome? Why do you think those factors were most important? What could have been done to prevent the fall of Rome? Discuss the following question: Which factors do you believe were most responsible for the decline of Rome? Why do you think those factors were most important? What could have been done to prevent the fall of Rome?

Did the Roman Empire fall or was it pushed? Which factors were more important? 1. Internal factors 2. External factors 3. Combination of both 4. Rome did NOT fall, it just changed

In Class Writing Question Based on what you have heard & discussed, answer the following question on a piece of paper (due at end of class) Based on what you have heard & discussed, answer the following question on a piece of paper (due at end of class) What was the most important factor(s) that led to the fall of the Roman Empire? Why do believe that factor(s) was most important? What would you have done to prevent the fall of Rome? What was the most important factor(s) that led to the fall of the Roman Empire? Why do believe that factor(s) was most important? What would you have done to prevent the fall of Rome?

How did Rome fall? After the Republic fell, there were a series of strong Emperors (“The Good Emperors”) & a long series of weak Emperors After the Republic fell, there were a series of strong Emperors (“The Good Emperors”) & a long series of weak Emperors As the Empire slowly fell into disarray & decline three Emperors tried to save it by making major changes As the Empire slowly fell into disarray & decline three Emperors tried to save it by making major changes

Reforming the Empire Three Emperors who tried to reform the Empire (all were based in East) Three Emperors who tried to reform the Empire (all were based in East) Diocletian Diocletian –Divided the Empire into sub-regions Constantine (more later!) Constantine (more later!) Theodosius Theodosius –Last to rule both halves

Diocletian’s Reforms Roman Empire is split into two administrative halves Roman Empire is split into two administrative halves Co-emperors Co-emperors Eastern eventually based in Constantinople Eastern eventually based in Constantinople Western based in Rome Western based in Rome

Constantine Ordered building of the city of Constantinople (A New Rome) on the grounds of Byzantium Ordered building of the city of Constantinople (A New Rome) on the grounds of Byzantium Converts to Christianity Converts to Christianity

Rise of Christianity Christianity: monotheistic religion founded on teachings of Jesus Christ Christianity: monotheistic religion founded on teachings of Jesus Christ Spread through Roman Empire by Paul Spread through Roman Empire by Paul Nicene Creed- basic statement of fundamental beliefs Nicene Creed- basic statement of fundamental beliefs

What do you think is in the Nicene Creed? Christians should Pray every day, practice charity & believe only in God the Father. 2. Believe in the Trinity, one church & baptism 3. Read the Bible, pray & go to church

Western & Eastern Rome did not fall at the same time. Which one do you think fell first? 1. Western Empire 2. Eastern Empire

Why?

The Fate of Western Rome

Western Roman Empire “Barbarians” conquer Western Rome in 476 CE “Barbarians” conquer Western Rome in 476 CE Goths, Visigoths, & Vandals Goths, Visigoths, & Vandals Who end up adopting Latin, Roman law, & Christianity Who end up adopting Latin, Roman law, & Christianity Begin development of distinct European cultures Begin development of distinct European cultures

Eastern Roman Empire Known as Byzantine Empire Known as Byzantine Empire Capital was Constantinople (situated between Europe & Asia) Capital was Constantinople (situated between Europe & Asia) Empire lasted until 1453 CE when defeated by Muslims Empire lasted until 1453 CE when defeated by Muslims Included Balkans, Asia Minor, Syria & Egypt Included Balkans, Asia Minor, Syria & Egypt

The Eastern Empire (Byzantine)

The Byzantines: Who are they? Were more Greek than Roman Were more Greek than Roman Spoke Greek, not Latin Spoke Greek, not Latin More multicultural More multicultural Distinct form of Christianity (Eastern Orthodoxy) Distinct form of Christianity (Eastern Orthodoxy)

Justinian I ( CE) Tried to restore unity of Rome Tried to restore unity of Rome Recaptured much of North Africa, Italy, & Spain Recaptured much of North Africa, Italy, & Spain Justinian’s Code Justinian’s Code –People should be ruled by laws, not whims of leaders –Basis for most European legal systems

Breaking Up is Hard to Do Christian Church begins to break apart Christian Church begins to break apart By 1054 CE political, doctrinal, & geographical differences led to major split By 1054 CE political, doctrinal, & geographical differences led to major split Still have Roman Catholic & Orthodox (which means right opinion in Greek!) Still have Roman Catholic & Orthodox (which means right opinion in Greek!)

What was the issue that caused the split between Christians? 1. Whose is in charge (Pope or emperor)? 2. Are Icons OK? (icons are religious pictures) 3. The role of Jesus in the Trinity?

The Great Schism Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox –Emperors played major role in church affairs –Patriarch (appointed by emperor) supreme leader of church –Emperor Leo III (an iconoclast) says they are not –Holy Spirit from God Roman Catholic Roman Catholic –Pope supreme leader of church –Icons (images of religious figures)- Pope Gregory III says they are ok –Excommunicates icon destroyers –Holy Spirit from God & Jesus

Which emperor converted to Christianity & founded Constantinople? 1. Diocletian 2. Theodosius 3. Constantine 4. Justinian

Which emperor is best known for a legal code that is the basis of modern Western law? 1. Constantine 2. Theodosius 3. Justinian 4. Diocletian

What emperor split the empire in halves & created co-emperors? 1. Theodosius 2. Diocletian 3. Constantine 4. Justinian

New monotheistic religion that arose in the Roman Empire, based on teachings of Jesus Christ & spread throughout Empire by Paul? 1. Paganism 2. Nicene Creed 3. Christianity 4. Islam