Ancient Rome and the Ancient Rome and the Rise of ChristianityRise of Christianity

Global 9Global 9

Chapter 5Chapter 5

educated Romans educated Romans viewed Greek viewed Greek culture as superior culture as superior to all others.to all others.

from a small village, from a small village, Rome grew into a Rome grew into a super state (“Rome, super state (“Rome, the City and the the City and the World") expanding World") expanding across the across the Mediterranean Mediterranean world to build a world to build a huge, ethnically huge, ethnically diverse empire diverse empire ruled by law.ruled by law.

The Roman World Takes ShapesThe Roman World Takes Shapes

the virtues that the Romans admired; the virtues that the Romans admired; courage, loyalty, devotion to duty courage, loyalty, devotion to duty were the pillars on which Romans were the pillars on which Romans would build an empire.would build an empire.

Geography:Geography: Rome began as a small city-state in Rome began as a small city-state in

Italy but ended up ruling the entire Italy but ended up ruling the entire Mediterranean world.Mediterranean world.

Italy is a peninsula that looks like a Italy is a peninsula that looks like a boot jutting centrally into the boot jutting centrally into the Mediterranean Sea.Mediterranean Sea.

Italy is not broken up into small, Italy is not broken up into small, isolated valleys and had the isolated valleys and had the advantage of broad, fertile plains advantage of broad, fertile plains which supported a growing which supported a growing population.population.

the Romans were an Indo-European the Romans were an Indo-European people, their ancestors [the Latins] people, their ancestors [the Latins] had migrated into Italy by about 800 had migrated into Italy by about 800 B.C.B.C.

settled along the Tiber River in small settled along the Tiber River in small villages where they herdedvillages where they herdedand farmed.and farmed.

Building a RepublicBuilding a Republic in 509 B.C. the Roman state in 509 B.C. the Roman state

was founded where officials was founded where officials were chosen by the people, were chosen by the people, called a called a republicrepublic, and was , and was meant to keep any individual meant to keep any individual from gaining too much power.from gaining too much power.

between 509 B.C. and 133 B.C. between 509 B.C. and 133 B.C. they developed thethey developed themilitary power to conquer the military power to conquer the entire Mediterranean world.entire Mediterranean world.

the most powerful governing the most powerful governing body was the body was the senatesenate whose whose 300 members were all 300 members were all patricians (members of the patricians (members of the landholding upper class) landholding upper class) senators served for life and senators served for life and made the lawsmade the laws

in the event of war, the senate might choose a dictator who has in the event of war, the senate might choose a dictator who has complete control over a government, granted emergency powers complete control over a government, granted emergency powers to rule.to rule.

Rome elected other officials to oversee finances, justice, city Rome elected other officials to oversee finances, justice, city government, and religious matters.government, and religious matters.

at first, the at first, the PlebeiansPlebeians[farmers, merchants, artisans, and [farmers, merchants, artisans, and traders]made up the bulk of the population but had little influence.traders]made up the bulk of the population but had little influence.

in 450 B.C. the government had the laws of Rome inscribed onin 450 B.C. the government had the laws of Rome inscribed on12 tablets(Law of the Twelve Tables) which made it possible for12 tablets(Law of the Twelve Tables) which made it possible forplebeians to appeal a judgement handed down by a patricianplebeians to appeal a judgement handed down by a patricianjudge.judge.

the plebeians gained the right to elect their own officials(tribunes) the plebeians gained the right to elect their own officials(tribunes) to protect their interests; they could to protect their interests; they could vetoveto, or block, those laws that , or block, those laws that they felt were harmfulthey felt were harmful

the common people gained access to power and won safeguardsthe common people gained access to power and won safeguardsfor their rights, and 2,000 years later the US Constitution would for their rights, and 2,000 years later the US Constitution would adapt ideas like the senate, the veto, and checks on governmental adapt ideas like the senate, the veto, and checks on governmental power.power.

Expansion:Expansion: by about 270 B.C. Rome occupied all of by about 270 B.C. Rome occupied all of

Italy,Italy, their success was due to skillful their success was due to skillful diplomacy and its efficient, well-disciplined diplomacy and its efficient, well-disciplined army.army.

armies consisted of citizen soldiers who armies consisted of citizen soldiers who fought without pay and supplied their own fought without pay and supplied their own weapons, the basic unit was the weapons, the basic unit was the legionlegion of of about 5,000 men. about 5,000 men.

Rome generally treated its defeated Rome generally treated its defeated enemies with justice, conquered peoples enemies with justice, conquered peoples had to acknowledge Roman leadership, pay had to acknowledge Roman leadership, pay taxes, and supply soldiers for the Roman taxes, and supply soldiers for the Roman army.army.

Rome let them keep their own customs, Rome let them keep their own customs, money, and local governmentsmoney, and local governments,, and to a and to a few privileged groups Rome gave the highly few privileged groups Rome gave the highly prized right of full citizenship.prized right of full citizenship.

generous treatment created support for generous treatment created support for Rome, to protect its conquests Rome posted Rome, to protect its conquests Rome posted soldiers through the land, built a network of soldiers through the land, built a network of all-weather military all-weather military roadsroads to link distant to link distant provinces.provinces.

Rivalry with CarthageRivalry with Carthage Carthage was a city-state on the northern Carthage was a city-state on the northern

coast of Rome spread into the coast of Rome spread into the Mediterranean, conflict became Mediterranean, conflict became inevitable.inevitable.

between 264 B.C. and 146 B.C. Rome between 264 B.C. and 146 B.C. Rome fought three wars against Carthage, the fought three wars against Carthage, the Punic WarsPunic Wars

in the First Punic War Rome defeated in the First Punic War Rome defeated Carthage, but 23 years later, led by a Carthage, but 23 years later, led by a general named general named HannibalHannibal sought revenge. sought revenge.

Hannibal dedicated his life to the Hannibal dedicated his life to the destruction of Rome after he was selected destruction of Rome after he was selected as leader of the Carthaginian army.as leader of the Carthaginian army.

in 218 B.C. Hannibal, setting out from in 218 B.C. Hannibal, setting out from Spain, led his troops with dozens of war Spain, led his troops with dozens of war elephants in a march across the Pyrenees elephants in a march across the Pyrenees throughthroughFrance and over the Alps into Italy.France and over the Alps into Italy.

the trek across the Alps cost Hannibal the trek across the Alps cost Hannibal nearly half his army, but the Romans nearly half his army, but the Romans expected an invasion from the south and expected an invasion from the south and the boldthe boldattack caught them off guard.attack caught them off guard.

for 15 years Hannibal moved for 15 years Hannibal moved across Italy winning battles in the, across Italy winning battles in the, Second Punic War, but was never Second Punic War, but was never able to capture Rome.able to capture Rome.

the Romans outflanked Hannibal the Romans outflanked Hannibal by sending an army to attack by sending an army to attack Carthage, led Hannibal to return to Carthage, led Hannibal to return to Carthage to defend where he was Carthage to defend where he was defeated.defeated.

Carthage gave up all its land, had Carthage gave up all its land, had to pay a huge tribute, or tax, to to pay a huge tribute, or tax, to Rome.Rome.

the Romans allowed Hannibal to the Romans allowed Hannibal to remain free and Carthage made a remain free and Carthage made a rapid recovery, but Romans still rapid recovery, but Romans still feared him and accused of feared him and accused of plotting.plotting.

Hannibal fled and took poison, and Hannibal fled and took poison, and Rome destroyed Carthage, killed Rome destroyed Carthage, killed or sold survivors into slavery, or sold survivors into slavery, poured salt on the land so nothing poured salt on the land so nothing would grow.would grow.

Rome expanded into the eastern Rome expanded into the eastern Mediterranean and tookMediterranean and tookMacedonia, Greece, and parts of Macedonia, Greece, and parts of Asia Minor, later allied with Egypt.Asia Minor, later allied with Egypt.

ExpansionExpansion victories put them in control of busy trade routes, and victories put them in control of busy trade routes, and

richesrichesflooded in from loot, taxes, and commerce.flooded in from loot, taxes, and commerce.

a class of wealthy Romans emerged and they bought huge a class of wealthy Romans emerged and they bought huge estates worked by slaves captured in war.estates worked by slaves captured in war.

Slave labor hurt small farmersSlave labor hurt small farmers who were unable to produce who were unable to produce food as cheaplyfood as cheaply,, grain from the conquered lands drove grain from the conquered lands drove down grain prices.down grain prices.

farmers fell into debt and had to sell their land, flocked to farmers fell into debt and had to sell their land, flocked to Rome for jobs but found unemployment instead, led to Rome for jobs but found unemployment instead, led to wider gap between rich and poor.wider gap between rich and poor.

wealth increased corruption, greed and self interest wealth increased corruption, greed and self interest replaced hard work and devotion to duty. replaced hard work and devotion to duty.

Reform:Reform: patrician brothers named Tiberius and Gaius patrician brothers named Tiberius and Gaius

Grachus led a reform movement which called for:Grachus led a reform movement which called for: the state to distribute land to poor farmers.the state to distribute land to poor farmers. the use of public funds to buy grain to feed the poor.the use of public funds to buy grain to feed the poor. extension of full citizenship to Rome's allies.extension of full citizenship to Rome's allies.

The reforms angered the Senate which saw them The reforms angered the Senate which saw them as a threat to its power, the brothers were as a threat to its power, the brothers were eventually killed.eventually killed.

this showed that the republic couldn't resolve its this showed that the republic couldn't resolve its problems problems

led to civil wars for the next 100 year led to civil wars for the next 100 year

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar an ambitious commander who an ambitious commander who

dominated politics in Pompey dominated politics in Pompey andanda brilliant general, set out in 59 a brilliant general, set out in 59 B.C. to make new conquests.B.C. to make new conquests.

eventually led his army into eventually led his army into Rome, as civil war erupted he Rome, as civil war erupted he swept around the Mediterranean swept around the Mediterranean proclaiming "Veni, Vidi, Vici" - "I proclaiming "Veni, Vidi, Vici" - "I came, I saw, I conquered."came, I saw, I conquered."

forced the senate to make him forced the senate to make him dictator, absolute ruler of Rome.dictator, absolute ruler of Rome.

ReformsReforms from 48 B.C.-44 B.C. he pushed from 48 B.C.-44 B.C. he pushed

through reforms including athrough reforms including aprogram of public works to program of public works to employ the jobless and gave employ the jobless and gave public land to the poor.public land to the poor.

Granted Roman citizenship to more Granted Roman citizenship to more people, and introduced a new calendar people, and introduced a new calendar based on Egyptian science, the Julian based on Egyptian science, the Julian calendar, which is still used today.calendar, which is still used today.

Caesar's enemies worried that he Caesar's enemies worried that he planned to make himself king so they planned to make himself king so they plotted against him.plotted against him.

in 44 B.C. a fortune-teller warned Caesar in 44 B.C. a fortune-teller warned Caesar to "beware the ides of March” [March to "beware the ides of March” [March 15], and his enemies stabbed him to 15], and his enemies stabbed him to deathdeath

this plunged Rome into civil war where- this plunged Rome into civil war where- Mark Antony [Caesar's chief general] Mark Antony [Caesar's chief general] and Octavian [Caesar's grandnephew] and Octavian [Caesar's grandnephew] joined forces to hunt down the joined forces to hunt down the murderers.murderers.

the men soon came to odds until, in 31 the men soon came to odds until, in 31 B.C., Octavian finally defeated Antony B.C., Octavian finally defeated Antony and his powerful ally and his powerful ally Queen CleopatraQueen Cleopatra of ofEgyptEgypt

the triumphant Octavian the triumphant Octavian Augustus, Augustus, or or exalted one, declared himself exalted one, declared himself priceps, priceps, or or first citizen and exercised first citizen and exercised absoluteabsolute power and named a successor.power and named a successor.

under Augustus, who ruled from 31 B.C.-under Augustus, who ruled from 31 B.C.-A.D. 14 the 500 year old republic came A.D. 14 the 500 year old republic came to an end, but he helped Rome recover to an end, but he helped Rome recover from civil war and laid the foundation for from civil war and laid the foundation for a stable government.a stable government.

Imperial RomeImperial Rome Augustus created an efficient, well-trained Augustus created an efficient, well-trained civil civil

serviceservice charged with enforcing the laws. charged with enforcing the laws. He cemented the allegiance of cities and He cemented the allegiance of cities and

provinces to Rome by allowing them a large provinces to Rome by allowing them a large measure of self-government.measure of self-government.

To make the tax system more fair, he ordered a To make the tax system more fair, he ordered a census, or population count, to be taken in the census, or population count, to be taken in the empire, set up a postal system and issued new empire, set up a postal system and issued new coinscoins to make trade easier. to make trade easier.

he put the jobless to work building roads and he put the jobless to work building roads and temples and to farm the land.temples and to farm the land.

Two early emperors, Caligula and Nero, were evil Two early emperors, Caligula and Nero, were evil and insane; Caligula appointed his favorite horse and insane; Caligula appointed his favorite horse as consul, Nero viciously persecuted Christians.as consul, Nero viciously persecuted Christians.

between A.D. 96 and A.D. 180 there was a series between A.D. 96 and A.D. 180 there was a series of good emperors; Hadrian codified Roman law, of good emperors; Hadrian codified Roman law, making it the same in all provinces.making it the same in all provinces.

he had soldiers build a wall across Britain to hold he had soldiers build a wall across Britain to hold back attackers, known as Hadrian's Wallback attackers, known as Hadrian's Wall

The Roman PeaceThe Roman Peace the 200-year span that began the 200-year span that began

with Augustus and ended with with Augustus and ended with Marcus Aurelius is known as Marcus Aurelius is known as the the Pax RomanaPax Romana or "Roman or "Roman Peace" characterized by Peace" characterized by peace, order, unity, and peace, order, unity, and prosperity.prosperity.

trade flowed freely to and trade flowed freely to and from distant lands in Africa, from distant lands in Africa, India, and China, from India India, and China, from India came spices, cotton, and came spices, cotton, and precious stones, as silk came precious stones, as silk came down the Silk Road.down the Silk Road.

Family and Religion:Family and Religion: the family was the basic unit, under Roman law the the family was the basic unit, under Roman law the

male head of the household, the father, had male head of the household, the father, had absolute power.absolute power.

he enforced strict discipline and demanded total he enforced strict discipline and demanded total respect, his wife to his authority.respect, his wife to his authority.

The ideal woman was loving, dutiful, dignified, and The ideal woman was loving, dutiful, dignified, and strong; most worked at home raising a family, strong; most worked at home raising a family, spinning, and weaving.spinning, and weaving.

Girls and boys learned to read and write, even Girls and boys learned to read and write, even lower-class Romans, many wealthy Romans were lower-class Romans, many wealthy Romans were hiring private tutor.hiring private tutor.

Roman gods and goddesses resembled those of the Roman gods and goddesses resembled those of the Greeks, like the Greek god Zeus and the Roman god Greeks, like the Greek god Zeus and the Roman god Jupiter.Jupiter.

Neptune god of the sea, was the same as the Greek Neptune god of the sea, was the same as the Greek godgod

the calendar was full of feasts and other celebration the calendar was full of feasts and other celebration which inspired a sense of community.which inspired a sense of community.

EntertainmentEntertainment The Circus Maximus, Rome's largest racecourse, The Circus Maximus, Rome's largest racecourse,

saw fans betting on chariot races, also hosted saw fans betting on chariot races, also hosted gladiator contestsgladiator contests

the amusement was a way to control the city's the amusement was a way to control the city's restless mobs, government provided free grain to restless mobs, government provided free grain to feed the poor, thus the policy of bread and circuses.feed the poor, thus the policy of bread and circuses.

Section III: Roman Section III: Roman AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Through war and conquest Caesar spread the Through war and conquest Caesar spread the Latin language and carried Roman civilization to Latin language and carried Roman civilization to distant lands.distant lands.

Greco-Roman CivilizationGreco-Roman Civilization Rome absorbed ideas from Greek colonists, Rome absorbed ideas from Greek colonists,

Greek art,Greek art,literature, philosophy, and scientific genius literature, philosophy, and scientific genius represented the height of cultural achievement.represented the height of cultural achievement.

the blending of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman the blending of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman traditions produced the Greco-Roman traditions produced the Greco-Roman civilization.civilization.

from England to Spain to North Africa to the from England to Spain to North Africa to the Middle East you can see Roman buildings that Middle East you can see Roman buildings that combine both Greek and Roman elements and combine both Greek and Roman elements and ideas, using columns that emphasized ideas, using columns that emphasized grandeur.grandeur.

they improved on the they improved on the archarch and the dome, the and the dome, the most famous was the Pantheon, a temple to all most famous was the Pantheon, a temple to all Roman gods.Roman gods.

engineering skills were also perfected roads, engineering skills were also perfected roads, bridges, and harbors, built bridges, and harbors, built aqueducts-aqueducts- bridgelike stone structures that brought water bridgelike stone structures that brought water from the hills into Roman cities.from the hills into Roman cities.

the availability of fresh water was important, the availability of fresh water was important, so wealthy homes had water piped in, and so wealthy homes had water piped in, and most cities had public most cities had public bathsbaths where people where people gathered to exchange gossip.gathered to exchange gossip.

left scientific research to the Greeks, but left scientific research to the Greeks, but Alexandria, Egypt remained a center of Alexandria, Egypt remained a center of learning.learning.

the astronomer-mathematician the astronomer-mathematician PtolemyPtolemy proposed the theory that the proposed the theory that the EarthEarth was the was the center of the universe.center of the universe.

advanced the frontiers of medical science by advanced the frontiers of medical science by insisting on experiments to prove a insisting on experiments to prove a conclusion.conclusion.

Roman LawRoman Law the greatest legacy of the greatest legacy of

Rome was its Rome was its commitment to the rule commitment to the rule of law and to justice.of law and to justice.

developed a system of developed a system of law, known as the civil law, known as the civil law, that applied to its law, that applied to its citizens, as Rome citizens, as Rome expanded it ruled many expanded it ruled many foreigners.foreigners.

led to a second system of led to a second system of law, known as the law of law, known as the law of nations which applied to nations which applied to all people, citizens or all people, citizens or non-citizens. non-citizens.

The ruleThe rule of law fostered unity and stability.of law fostered unity and stability. Certain basic principles evolved:Certain basic principles evolved:

people of the same status are people of the same status are equalequal before the before the law.law.

AnAn accused person is presumed innocent until accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.proven guilty.

The accused should be allowed to face his or The accused should be allowed to face his or her accuser and defend against the charge. her accuser and defend against the charge.

Guilt must be established clearer than daylight Guilt must be established clearer than daylight through evidencethrough evidence

Decisions should be based on fairness, allowing Decisions should be based on fairness, allowing judges to interpret the law.judges to interpret the law.

Section IV:Section IV: Christianity Christianity early in the Pax Romana, a early in the Pax Romana, a

new religion, Christianity, new religion, Christianity, sprang up in a distant sprang up in a distant corner of the Roman corner of the Roman empire.empire.

the new faith grew and by the new faith grew and by A.D. 395 it had been A.D. 395 it had been declared the official declared the official religion of the Roman religion of the Roman Empire.Empire.

ChristianityChristianity reshaped reshaped Roman beliefs, when the Roman beliefs, when the Roman empire fell the Roman empire fell the Christian Church took over.Christian Church took over.

Jews and the Roman EmpireJews and the Roman Empire generally, Rome tolerated varied generally, Rome tolerated varied

religions traditions as long as religions traditions as long as citizens showed their loyalty.citizens showed their loyalty.

among the peoples in the empire among the peoples in the empire were the Jews, by 69 B.C. the were the Jews, by 69 B.C. the Romans had conquered Romans had conquered PalestinePalestine where many Jews lived.where many Jews lived.

among the Jews religious ferment among the Jews religious ferment was creating deep divisions, was creating deep divisions, reformers called for strict obedience reformers called for strict obedience to Jewish laws andto Jewish laws andtraditions.traditions.

Jews, called zealots called on Jews to Jews, called zealots called on Jews to revolt against Rome and reestablish revolt against Rome and reestablish an independent an independent IsraelIsrael

believed that a messiah. or savior believed that a messiah. or savior sent by God, would soon appear to sent by God, would soon appear to lead the Jewish people to freedom.lead the Jewish people to freedom.

in A.D. 66 rebellion flared and in A.D. 66 rebellion flared and Roman forces crushed the rebels, Roman forces crushed the rebels, captured Jerusalem and destroyed captured Jerusalem and destroyed the Jewish temple.the Jewish temple.

in A.D. 135 they drove the Jews out in A.D. 135 they drove the Jews out of their homeland and forbade them of their homeland and forbade them to return. (Ex. Masada @ right)to return. (Ex. Masada @ right)

Life of JesusLife of Jesus As turmoil engulfed the Jews of Palestine, a As turmoil engulfed the Jews of Palestine, a

new religion rose which was founded by a new religion rose which was founded by a Jew named Jesus.Jew named Jesus.

what little we know about him comes from what little we know about him comes from the Gospel, he was born around 4 B.C. in the Gospel, he was born around 4 B.C. in Bethlehem to a family descended from King Bethlehem to a family descended from King David, an angel had told Jesus mother Mary, David, an angel had told Jesus mother Mary, that she would give birth to the messiah.that she would give birth to the messiah.

Jesus followed Jewish law and at the age of Jesus followed Jewish law and at the age of 30 he began preaching and word spread that 30 he began preaching and word spread that he had performed miracles of healing.he had performed miracles of healing.

He and his disciples traveled to Jerusalem to He and his disciples traveled to Jerusalem to spread his belief in one God, the Ten spread his belief in one God, the Ten Commandments, and strict obedience to the Commandments, and strict obedience to the law of Moses.law of Moses.

he called himself the Son of God andhe called himself the Son of God and declared that he was the messiah, his declared that he was the messiah, his mission was to bring mission was to bring spiritualspiritual salvation and salvation and eternal life.eternal life.

he rejected the principle of "an eye for an he rejected the principle of "an eye for an eye," he preached forgiveness instead.eye," he preached forgiveness instead.

Some Jews saw Jesus as dangerous; Jewish Some Jews saw Jesus as dangerous; Jewish priests felt that he was challenging their priests felt that he was challenging their leadership, to Roman authorities Jesus was leadership, to Roman authorities Jesus was a revolutionary.a revolutionary.

Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, Jesus was betrayed by one of his disciples, arrested by the tried, condemned, and arrested by the tried, condemned, and executedexecuted Roman-style- nailed to a cross and Roman-style- nailed to a cross and left to die.left to die.

Jesus had risen from the dead, commanded Jesus had risen from the dead, commanded his his ApostlesApostles to spread his teachings to spread his teachings

Christianity remained a sect, or small group, Christianity remained a sect, or small group, within Judaism, until Paul began the wider within Judaism, until Paul began the wider spread.spread.

Paul spread Jesus' teachings beyond Jewish Paul spread Jesus' teachings beyond Jewish communities to gentiles, or non-Jews; communities to gentiles, or non-Jews; explaining and expanding Christian explaining and expanding Christian teachings.teachings.

he emphasized the idea that Jesus had he emphasized the idea that Jesus had sacrificed his life out of love for humankind, sacrificed his life out of love for humankind, those who believed Jesus would achieve those who believed Jesus would achieve salvation, or eternal life.salvation, or eternal life.

Roman officials suspected Christians of Roman officials suspected Christians of disloyalty to Rome because they refused to disloyalty to Rome because they refused to honor Roman beliefs.honor Roman beliefs.

Roman rulers used Christians as Roman rulers used Christians as scscapegoats,apegoats, blaming them for social or blaming them for social or economic ills, many became martyrs- economic ills, many became martyrs- people who suffer or die for their beliefs.people who suffer or die for their beliefs.

Christianity continued to spread because Christianity continued to spread because Jesus welcomed all peopleJesus welcomed all people,, especially especially the humble, poor, and oppressed.the humble, poor, and oppressed.

they found comfort in his message of they found comfort in his message of love and of a better life beyond the love and of a better life beyond the grave.grave.

even persecution brought new converts even persecution brought new converts because people were impressed by the because people were impressed by the strength of their beliefsstrength of their beliefs

early Christian communities began to early Christian communities began to organize a formal Church, with its own organize a formal Church, with its own priest under the authority of a priest under the authority of a bishop.bishop.

the church developed into a hierarchy, the church developed into a hierarchy, or organization in which officials are or organization in which officials are arranged according to rank, only men arranged according to rank, only men allowed.allowed.

rivalry among the bishops led to division rivalry among the bishops led to division in the Church; the Latin speaking west in the Church; the Latin speaking west accepted the bishop of Rome as pope, or accepted the bishop of Rome as pope, or head of the Roman Catholic Church.head of the Roman Catholic Church.

as the church grew and evolved it as the church grew and evolved it imposed order and discipline on imposed order and discipline on the scattered Christian the scattered Christian communities.communities.

put together the New Testament put together the New Testament the 27 books of the Bible that the 27 books of the Bible that contain the life and teachings of contain the life and teachings of Jesus.Jesus.

they battled heresies or beliefs they battled heresies or beliefs said to be contrary to official said to be contrary to official Church teaching, by sending out Church teaching, by sending out missionaries to convert people.missionaries to convert people.

Persecution ofPersecution of Christians ended Christians ended in A.D. 313 when the emperor in A.D. 313 when the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Constantine issued the Edict of Milan granting freedom to Milan granting freedom to worship.worship.

80 years later the emperor 80 years later the emperor Theodosius made Christianity the Theodosius made Christianity the official official religionreligion of the Roman of the Roman empire.empire.

Section V: The DeclineSection V: The Decline 1,500 years ago the western 1,500 years ago the western

half of the Roman empire half of the Roman empire stumbled into ruin, the end stumbled into ruin, the end was catastrophic, but it did was catastrophic, but it did not happen overnight.not happen overnight.

Signs of Decline:Signs of Decline: After the death of emperor After the death of emperor

Marcus Aurelius in 180, the Marcus Aurelius in 180, the Pax Romana ended, led to Pax Romana ended, led to 100 years of turmoil.100 years of turmoil.

Ambitious generals seized Ambitious generals seized power, ruled and then were power, ruled and then were overthrown by rival military overthrown by rival military leaders.leaders.

High taxes to support the High taxes to support the army and the bureaucracy army and the bureaucracy placed heavy burdens on placed heavy burdens on business people and farmers, business people and farmers, many left their land and many left their land and worked on huge estates.worked on huge estates.

in 284 the emperor Diocletian, in in 284 the emperor Diocletian, in order to make the empire easier order to make the empire easier to govern, divided it into two to govern, divided it into two parts, he kept the wealthier parts, he kept the wealthier eastern parteastern part

tried to increase the tried to increase the prestigeprestige of of the emperor by surrounding the emperor by surrounding himself with elaborate himself with elaborate ceremonies.ceremonies.

to slow the rapid rise of prices, to slow the rapid rise of prices, he fixed prices for goods and he fixed prices for goods and services; forced farmers to services; forced farmers to remain on the land to ensure a remain on the land to ensure a steady production of food and steady production of food and other foods.other foods.

in 312 Emperor Constantine in 312 Emperor Constantine granted toleration to Christians granted toleration to Christians and encouraged the growth of and encouraged the growth of the religion,the religion,

he built a new capital, he built a new capital, Constantinople, on the Bosporus, Constantinople, on the Bosporus, the strait connects the Black and the strait connects the Black and Mediterranean seas.Mediterranean seas.

this made the eastern portion of this made the eastern portion of the empire the center of power.the empire the center of power.

these reforms revived the these reforms revived the economy and helped hold the economy and helped hold the empire together, but failed to empire together, but failed to stop the long-term decline.stop the long-term decline.

Invasion:Invasion: Rome had faced attacks from the Rome had faced attacks from the

Germanic peoples who livedGermanic peoples who livedalong its northern borders.along its northern borders.

as the empire declined it was as the empire declined it was forced to give up its territories toforced to give up its territories toBritain, Britain, Spain,Spain, and France. and France.

wars in East Asia set off a chain wars in East Asia set off a chain of events that would overwhelmof events that would overwhelmRome, as the Huns [a nomadic Rome, as the Huns [a nomadic people] migrated across Central people] migrated across Central Asia.Asia.

by 350 these skilled riders fought by 350 these skilled riders fought fierce battles to dislodge thefierce battles to dislodge theGermanic peoples, Germanic peoples, VisigothsVisigoths sought safety by crossing intosought safety by crossing intoRoman territory.Roman territory.

in 378 a Roman army tried to in 378 a Roman army tried to turn back the Visigoths butturn back the Visigoths butsuffered a stunning defeat, and in suffered a stunning defeat, and in 410 the Visigoths overran410 the Visigoths overranItaly and plundered Rome.Italy and plundered Rome.

in 434 the Hun leader Attila in 434 the Hun leader Attila embarked on a savage campaign embarked on a savage campaign ofofconquest across much of Europe.conquest across much of Europe.

he was known as the “scourge of he was known as the “scourge of God” because they believed his God” because they believed his attacks were punishment for the attacks were punishment for the sins of humanity.sins of humanity.

in 476 Odoacer, a Germanic in 476 Odoacer, a Germanic leader, ousted the emperor in leader, ousted the emperor in Rome,Rome,the event that signaled the fall of the event that signaled the fall of Rome.Rome.

The EndThe End Why did Rome “fall”?Why did Rome “fall”?Military Causes:Military Causes: the Germanic invasions the Germanic invasions

succeeded because the Roman succeeded because the Roman legionslegionslacked discipline and training to lacked discipline and training to meet its need for soldiers, Rome meet its need for soldiers, Rome hired mercenaries, or foreign hired mercenaries, or foreign soldiers serving for pay, to soldiers serving for pay, to defend its borders, felt little defend its borders, felt little loyalty to Rome.loyalty to Rome.

as the government became more as the government became more oppressive and authoritarian it oppressive and authoritarian it lost the support of the people, lost the support of the people, corrupt officials undermined corrupt officials undermined loyaltyloyalty

Political and Economic Causes:Political and Economic Causes: the empire suffered as heavier taxes the empire suffered as heavier taxes

were required to supportwere required to supportthe vast government bureaucracy and the vast government bureaucracy and huge militaryhuge military

the wealth of the empire dwindled as the wealth of the empire dwindled as farmers abandoned their land, farmers abandoned their land, population declined due to war and population declined due to war and epidemic epidemic diseases.diseases.

Social CausesSocial Causes the upper class, which once provided the upper class, which once provided

leaders, devoted itself to luxury and leaders, devoted itself to luxury and self interest; providing "bread and self interest; providing "bread and circuses” undermined circuses” undermined self-reliance.self-reliance.

an emperor ruled the eastern Roman an emperor ruled the eastern Roman empire which later became known as empire which later became known as the Byzantine empire.the Byzantine empire.

the fall of Rome was a long, slow the fall of Rome was a long, slow process of change from one way of life process of change from one way of life to another, and the Christian Church to another, and the Christian Church preserved elements of Roman preserved elements of Roman civilization.civilization.