1. 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

2. The Roman Empire at its Height
The Empire reached its height under Emperor Diocletian ( CE)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Constantinople Rome continued to decline
Constantine moved the capital from Rome to city of Byzantium
City name changed to Constantinople

11. Current Day

12. 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.”

13. 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

14. The Spread of Christianity through the Middle Ages

15. 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

16. 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?

17. 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

18. 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