1. You are a Roman Citizen As a table group, complete the first question
Brainstorm, what do you think life is like?
Pass the paper to a new writer and take a few notes on what life is actually like.
Pass the paper to a third writer and as a table group complete the question about values.

2. Why we start with the Middle Ages?
The Roman Empire and it’s collapse will fundamentally change how people live, learn, and generally interact with one another and as a community.
We need a baseline in order to study change.
What fundamental or general issues do you think were present in ancient Rome that will continue throughout the timeline?

3. The Western World: Ancient to Medieval

4. Rome: A Vast and Powerful Empire
Preserved and added to Greek Culture
Efficient government with able rulers
Secure frontier, glorified Rome with big/beautiful public buildings, collected taxes, managed trade

5. The Rise of Christianity
Starts with Jesus of Nazareth
Persecuted off and on for many years in Rome
All that changed with Constantine & the edict of Milan
Edict of Milan—proclaimed religious tolerance in the empire.
Constantine himself converts
to Christianity.
Constantine accepts Christianity in 312 and created the Edict of Milan in 313 along with emperor Licinius

6. Christian Expansion, an Empire Divided
As it became a state religion, two leaders emerged, and later as did two main sects.
Leaders: head of the state (emperor/king) vs. head of the church (pope).
Sects: East-West Split in 1054 Pope remains head of the church in W., Patriarch of Constantinople becomes head of church in E.

7. Back to you as a Roman Citizen
Pass the paper to the final writer and answer the last question as a table group.

8. Decline and Fall Weak Economy Military and Political Trouble
Disrupted trade
No more expansion = No more plunder
Raised taxes
Poor crops due to depleted soil
Military and Political Trouble
Soldiers and citizens lacked loyalty to the throne
Threat from northern tribes
Constantine moves capital from Rome to Byzantium in 330 and renames it Constantinople
Rome falls in 476 but Constantinople survives

9. Side effects of the fall
Trade disruption
Decline of cities (causes population shift)
Decline of arts and learning
Loss of a common language

10. What replaced Rome?
A loose confederation of Germanic tribes—Goths, Visigoths, Franks, Huns, etc.—known collectively as barbarians migrate West.
Pope becomes sole leader of Western Christian church, and the leader of Rome. Secularizes and starts being political
Eastern empire remains intact and becomes Byzantine Empire

12. Journal #4
What impact will the Fall of Rome have on the power of the church?
What impact will the Fall of Rome have on the common people?