Discussion-Fall of the Western Roman Empire Based on the outlines please discuss the fall of the western empire in the 400s AD. Of course you should look back to the 3rd century crisis as well, as it
Ch. 6 pt. I Transformation of Rome
Quiz on Highlighted areas
Know several factors in the fall of the western part of the Roman Empire.
Christianity and its Spread
Who was Christ the historically figure?
What was his religious/spiritual message?
What were the other religious movements in the East and West?
How were some influential on Christianity?
Christians
Early Christians
Persecution—was it uniform?
Was the “church” uniform?
Early Structure of the church
Who were the priests and church officers?
How do bishops come to being?
And Patriarchs? Who is the chief patriarch/bishop and why?
Civil Wars after death of Commodus
Severan Dynasty
How do these emperors deal with the empire and the army?
Eastern Shift of Power--Why does this happen?
Third Century Crisis
Assassination of Severus Alexander and his mother
50 years of chaos for Roman Empire
20-25 Emperors attempt to rule-constant civil war- and assassination
Plague of 250-52 (Plague of Cyprian)
Invasion
East-New Persian Empire
West German
Empire Split
Gallic Empire
Roman Empire –central
Palmyrene Empire-Syria-under Queen Zenobia and her husband
Diocletian
Who is he and how does he come to power?
Tetrarchy-what is it?
In what ways is he different from previous emperors?
What does he do to save the empire?
His relationship with Christians?
How does this help their cause and why?
Neo-Platonism and Christianity
What is the relationship?
How does Christianity coopt it?
Constantine
What is his relationship with Christians?
Battle of Milvian Bridge
Edict of Milan
How does this affect the church and the hierarchy?
Constantinople-Eastern Shift
Orthodoxy and Heresy
Arian
Council of Nicaea
What does this do, how was the emperor involved?
Women and the official church
Roman Church-how is it organized?
Asceticism
What is this and who practices it? What some influences on this movement?
What are some rules followed?
Secessionist Movements
Britannia-Gaul-Hispania-Germania
Sassanid Dynasty-Third Persian Empire
Rome’s shift to East—economic and defensive
Pt. II
Slow Collapse of Rome
Periphery to Center- Mass Migration/Invasions of Rome
Goths pushed by Huns
Foederati-what was their role on the frontier zones
Battle of Adrianople
Alaric-what was his role?
Vandals
Sack of Rome
Invasion of North Africa
Franks and Burgundians
Attila
Romulus Augustulus
Zeno
Theodoric
Impact of the 5th cent. Migrations
Western and Eastern Roman Empire—what happens?
Who controls new regions?
How was Roman culture affected?
Church Fathers
How did these men and women uphold the Christian church?
St. Jerome-what is his role?
Ambrose
St. Augustine-City of God -- Importance of?
Boethius –his role?
Does the church factor in to the Fall of Rome?
Monasticism and Education
What was the role of monks?
Eastern—Basil of Caesarea
Western—St. Benedict
How do each influence monasticism?
Cassiodorus—Institutes
Codex-importance?
How did Rome fall?
