1. Chapter 8 The Byzantine Empire and Emerging Europe
LESSON 1 – The First Christians
LESSON 2 – THE DECLINE OF ROME
LESSON 3 – THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
LESSON 4 – THE AGE OF CHARLEMAGNE
LESSON 5 – THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

2. THE DECLINE OF ROME
Decline of the Western Roman Empire was a slow and gradual decline that resulted in the sacking of Rome in 476CE

3. THE DECLINE OF ROME
The problems were numerous and over time chipped away at the strength and very foundations of the Western Roman Empire
Civil Wars - After the death of the last of the "five good emperors" Marcus Aurelius
No workable political system:
A) Overthrow of Emperors (22 in 50 yrs) B) Military interference with government
Emperor Valerian 259 defeated and captured by the Persians
Made to be a foot rest for the Persian King until his death his corpse was stuffed
with straw and preserved for ages as a trophy in a Persian temple

4. THE DECLINE OF ROME
3) *Outside Invasions: From the east: Persians From the west: Germanic people
What caused the movement or migrations of people? Huns
a) better living conditions (drought, famine, plague)
b) Other….
Huns – wore tunics sewn together with the skins of field mice never bathed
Attila called himself the scourge of god "God's whip with which to punish the nations"
The Visigoths asked permission to enter the empire,
Merchants sold them dog meat or spoiled meat for Visigoths children
Vandals-reputation for rape and pillaging gave meaning to the word vandalism

5. THE DECLINE OF ROME
4) Population decline: plagues decreased workers and soldiers for the army 5) inflation: rapid increase in prices 6) tax increases: people had less and less money to live on

6. THE DECLINE OF ROME
traditional values declined: people became lazy and dependent on government
lack of technological advancement: due to dependence on slavery
vast size: made communication and
protection difficult

7. THE DECLINE OF ROME Reforms by Diocletian and Constantine
Made significant changes to try to save the Roman Empire
Thought the empire had grown too large for one ruler:
Diocletian: 1) **divided the empire into 4 parts called prefectures
2) each had a different ruler
This was known as a tetrarchy: rule by four people
Diocletian had ultimate authority

8. THE DECLINE OF ROME
Reforms by Diocletian and Constantine
Constantine: It would be easier to protect the frontier,
moved the capital to Byzantium
This "New Rome" was eventually renamed
Constantinople in his honor
Constantinopolis or Constantine’s City
English – Constantinople
Held the Cross that Jesus was crucified as well as Moses’s staff
Did Constantine really see a vision?
Historians argue his embracing of Christianity was political
1) Constantine saw the Christians as a way to unify the Empire
2) He did not convert until late in life
3) He did not outlaw pagan religions

9. THE DECLINE OF ROME
Reforms by Diocletian and Constantine
These changes brought some temporary relief, but because of ALL the problems, over many years, the empire fell in the west
Invaders from Europe sacked Rome in 476CE
This is the date for the fall of the western part only
The Eastern part would continue for almost 1,000 years (Byzantine Empire)
Over the next 1,000 years the Persians, Muslims and Mongol Empires could not bring down the Byzantine Empire
What NEW technology would eventually bring down the Byzantine Empire?
--Gunpowder, canons took a month and a half of pounding to break through the walls--
Does the date 476CE signify the Fall of the Roman Empire? or did it just change?
Caesar – Changed from a family name to a title
(associated with Descended Divinity)
Caesar in Russia – Czar
Caesar in Germany - Kaiser
88 emperors 29 met violent deaths, worst case:
-1185 fallen emperor beaten, teeth pulled out, tied to the rear of camel with diarrhea,
rinsed with boiling water, blinded and finally stabbed in the gut and left to die
13 fled and claimed refuge in the church

10. QUESTION ANSWER: JEWISH What religion did Jesus belong?

11. QUESTION ANSWER: Zealots
What Jewish group called for the violent overthrow of Roman rule?
ANSWER:
Zealots

12. QUESTION ANSWER: Christianity would be officially tolerated
What did the Edict of Milan proclaim?
ANSWER:
Christianity would be officially tolerated

13. QUESTION ANSWER: Pontius Pilate Who ordered the execution of Jesus?

14. QUESTION the reign of Nero? ANSWER:
Why were Christians persecuted during
the reign of Nero?
ANSWER:
They were blamed for starting the fire that destroyed much of Rome

15. QUESTION ANSWER: Constantine Who was the first Christian emperor?

16. QUESTION Bible is called? ANSWER: New Testament
What is the second part of the Christian
Bible is called?
ANSWER:
New Testament

17. QUESTION province called? Answer: procurator
What is a Roman official in charge of a
province called?
Answer:
procurator