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Fall of the Roman Empire In between chapters Fall of the Roman Empire and rise of the Byzantine Empire
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Decline of Rome Invasions from Goths (Germanic tribes) Financial Issues Changes in social order – Leaders no longer due to Roman Emperors – Left military with increasing control Rise of Christianity – Created a division in Rome between christians and pagans
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End of Diocletian Diocletian made attempts to restore order. Divided the empire among Caesars. Retired and left Constantius with much power. – Dies and son Constantine claims throne. – He supports Christianity Crisis leads empire towards military rule.
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Change in roles The role of the emperor changes. – Rule by decree, appoint a few officials, distance themselves due to assassinations, new title “lords” power derived from gods not people. Constantine appoints a new capitol – Byzantium…he re-names it Constantinople – City dedicated in 330 A.D. and marks the development of new Eastern Empire
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Rise of Byzantine Empire Development of Constantinople and Eastern Rome mark beginning of end for Roman Empire. Military rule, authoritarian = invitation for corruption Embraced Christianity
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Fall of Rome Many factors : Rome had overexerted their power Didn’t have resources to expand any more Couldn’t keep out invaders. Diocletian’s decision to divide empire bit him in the foot…instead of strenthening control divided empire in two. West fell but East grew
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Germanic Invasions German tribes and Romans had a peaceful relationship. Arrival of Visigoths (“West Goths”) in 376 sped up migration of Barbarian tribes Germanic tribes raid Roman Empire. Little resistance due to problems within Empire.
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Visigoths Rome raided in 410 by Goths Attila the Hun moved into Italy Many other raids took place 476 traditionally marks fall of empire – Emperor Romulus deposed and power to Germanic tribes
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Byzantine Empire Constantinople protected geographically Good port access for trading Committed to continuing success of Empire even after fall of Rome in 476 – Justinian Emperor form 527 to 565 – Conquered most of Mediterranean territory – Wife Theodora was an asset to his rule
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Some did not think his rule was legit because not a blood member of family. He focused on keeping territory and old empire united Spent lots of money Heavy taxes imposed In 565 died and left Byzantine bankrupt
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Struggles of the Empire After Justinian they faced poverty, plagues, anarchy. Heraclius in 610 helped settle empire and end invasions Still danger – Leo III also made attempts to end attacks – Created theme system - divided empire into provinces. Military commanders had power over an area.
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Byzantine Society Emperor a priest-king…Power! Depicted as saints Emperors were above law. Was their job to establish justice and order – Used great restraint – Justinian had “body of civil law” basic code and framework of laws
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Society Cont. Hierarchial and dominated by aristocracy Laws applied to everyone, but punishments varied according to status Nobility determined by position not by heredity However, being born into noble family often guarenteed a good position in society
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Women Women viewed as temptation and subject to men’s control. Raised children and managed the home Few educated women Lived in gynaeceum or own separate apartments Rarely traveled outside of palace – Always accompanied by servants
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Christianity in Byzantine Empire Emperor oversaw the church but was run by leaders – bishops in cities – pope in Rome – patriarchs in Constantinople Alexandria Antioch Jerusalem 5 known as pentarchy Gave less power to Pope more power to local leaders
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Iconoclast Movement Religious movement to end the worship of icons Church upset because they used pictures – Love Christ should love his image Increased tension between east and west
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Schism Break up of Roman Catholic Church in west and Orthodox Church in the east. East was at first stronger than the West Eventually a bad move – Byzantine Empire would not seek help from west when invaded
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Macedonian Era 800’s Strong division between eastern and western empires Emperors tried to improve conditions, education available, increased the monarchy 1000’s began to decline under incompetent emperors 1071 defeated by the Turks.
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Biography In your journal, summarize the life and importance of the following people – Justinian – Leo III – Heraclius – St. John of Damascus – Zoe – Michael V
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