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

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

3. 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 ( ) 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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”

9. 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

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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 5th Century Invasions

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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 )
He is overthrown by Ostrogoth, Theodoric (r )
Theodoric imprisons Pope St. John I because he would not recognize validity of Arian Christianity
Imprisons and executes Boethius for treason, Consolation of Philosophy

20. 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

21. 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