Chapter One: The Legacy of the Roman Empire

Medieval History is Divided into Several

ErasEarly Middle Ages- after fall of Rome (western half)

High Middle Ages- about 1000 C.E., several kingdoms had already formed

High Middle Ages- feudalism dominates European kingdoms

Late Middle Ages- trade between east and west leading to many changes

Introduction 500 years- Rome capital of greatest

empire (27 BCE to 476 CE) Empire practiced Roman law,

customs, military might 117 CE- empire was the whole of

the Mediterranean world North Africa- Scottish border-

Spain-Syria Had one official language (Latin)

and one code of law Rome was mostly prosperous Western half (Europe) fell by 500 CE

1.2 The End of the Roman Empire in the West- Problems in the Late Empire

Economic Problems- heavy taxes, a lot of poverty, trade was suffering, unemployment was high, cheap slave labor drove small farmers to the cities

Weakening Frontiers- empire was very large and hard to defend, communication took weeks, Germanic tribes attacked often, soldiers from conquered lands were not very loyal to Rome

Political Instability- couldn’t peacefully change leaders, it was usually done by the Praetorian Guard (which could be corrupted)

Social Problems- high levels of corruption, some emperors wasted large sums of money, there was a rise in crime

The Fall of Rome Constantine- Emperor, moved

Roman capital to Byzantium in 330 CE (named it New Rome, later renamed Constantinople, today it is called Istanbul in the country of Turkey) 

After Constantine’s reign- power was split between the east and the west (each with their own emperor) 

The West- Germanic tribes were attacking, 410 CE Rome was looted, 476 CE the last emperor fell and Rome broke into different kingdoms ruled by tribes

The East- ruled for another 1,000 years, is called the Byzantine Empire

1.3 The Legacy of Roman Art

Greco-Roman art- influence of Greece and Rome Roman sculptures imitated Greeks but statues were

more lifelike Patrons- rich people who sponsored art Decorated their homes with statues, murals, mosaics

and frescoes Made everyday objects more luxurious Decorative bottles of blown glass, gem cutting,

metalworking Roman art became popular again during the

Renaissance and the early days of the United States

1.4 The Legacy of Roman Architecture and

Engineering The arch, the vault and the dome Used concrete= much larger arches Invented new stadium- modern

stadiums built like them Inspire many current buildings

Greatest builders of roads, bridges and aqueducts

50,000 miles of roads that connected to Rome- standard of road building for 2,000

1.5 The Legacy of Roman Language and

Writing Roman language= Latin Used by scholars and the

Roman Catholic Church Church scribes used Latin,

nobles learned Latin Influences Italian, Spanish,

French, many English words Calendar Latin prefixes Latin proverbs Roman Numerals

1.6 The Legacy of Roman Philosophy, Law, & Citizenship

A Philosophy Called Stoicism

Godly intelligence ruled nature

The only important thing was to have good character - Self control, courage, sense of duty, care about the well-being of the community

Stoics were famous for enduring pain and suffering

Law and Justice Roman law covered marriages,

inheritances, contracts many modern legal codes are

based on Roman law idea of universal law of justice

from nature tried to respect peoples’ rights

*but did not treat the poor and slaves equal to the rich

CitizenshipIn the beginning Roman citizenship was only given to citizens of the city-state of Rome

-gradually extended to all free people of the empire

citizens subject to Roman law, had same rights, owed allegiance to the emperor

Citizenship was a privilege and responsibility. “ All citizens have the same responsibilities.”