1. Classical Rome and the end of the Classical Era Unit 1 Section 9
TYWL: How were ancient civilizations and empires able to development, grow and create a lasting impact?
How has conflict and innovation influenced political, religious, economic and social changes in medieval civilizations?

2. Question of the Day 4
How did geographic features influence the diffusion and settlement of both the Phoenician and Greek traders?
1) Both had access to the Mediterranean Sea.
2) The monsoon winds made ocean travel easier.
3) The arid climate encouraged migration.
4) Russia′s rivers provided ease of travel.

3. Early Roman History The Punic Wars 264-146 BCE
Rome vs Carthage
Rome victorious
The Civil Wars BCE
Julius Caesar victorious –feared becoming dictator assassinated by fellow senators.

4. Decline and Fall of Rome
“barbarian invasions” after 180 CE
Economic decline
Corruption
Christianity

5. Christianity Division of the Empire
Jewish religious beliefs
Jesus
Paul
Roman persecutions
Division of the Empire
Emperor Diocletian divided the Empire into East & West

6. Emperor Constantine I (306-337)
Legalized Christianity w/ the Edict of Milan 313
Est. new capital at Byzantium, renamed Constantinople
Eastern Roman Empire eventually became the Byzantine Empire

7. Council of Nicaea 325
Meeting of Church leaders called by Emperor Constantine to determine true Christian belief.
Nicene Creed written to summarize basic Christian beliefs.

8. Final Division of the Church
Western Christians followed the Roman Catholic Church under the Pope’s leadership.
Eastern Christians followed the Eastern Orthodox Church under the leadership of the Byzantine Emperor and the Patriarchs.

9. Fall of the Classical Empires
All three Empires faced economic decline, corruption from within, and other weaknesses.
Most importantly, all three suffered from invasions of pastoral nomadic people, especially the . . .
Hsiung-nu (aka the Huns)

10. Northern Europe
Christian missionaries from Rome brought the new religion to the north using the Roman road system.

11. Polynesian and Oceanian Migrations

12. Africa “The Dark Continent”?? Desertification led to Bantu migrations
Iron technology
Ethiopia, Kush, Axum under Christian, Egyptian influence
Center of trade and caravan routes

13. Cross cultural Trade in the Post-Classical Period
Trade occurred among Europeans, but Europe was too backwards to be too involved in cross cultural trade
Missionaries and Merchants carried cultural changes along trade routes.