Europe from the Roman Era to the Medieval Period

Key Transformations

• Transition from Roman era to medieval period.
• Rise of Christianity and Islam.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the causes and consequences of the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire.
2. Understand the reasons for Christianity's rise and spread throughout the Roman world.
3. Identify and describe the Byzantine Empire.
4. Describe the rise of Islam and understand its spread across North Africa and into Europe.

The Pax Romana

• Period of peace and stability in Rome beginning with Augustus.
• Economic and territorial peak of the Roman Empire.

Crisis of the Third Century

• 50-year period of civil war, foreign invasion, plague, and economic depression.
• Difficulties in controlling vast territories.
• Rise of Barrack Emperors (military leaders usurping the throne).
• Plagues decimated populations, leading to agricultural instability and famine.
• Financial depression due to civil unrest and natural disasters.
• Increased invasions by barbarian tribes due to climate change.
• Diocletian's division of the empire into East and West to manage the vast territory better.
• Tetrarchy (rule of four) established by Diocletian.

Religious Changes in Rome

• Rome's polytheistic beliefs and accommodation of other religions.
• Initial tolerance of Judaism; spread of foreign mystery cults.
• Rise of Christianity as a Jewish sect; growth amidst persecution.
• Jesus' life, crucifixion, and the spread of his teachings.
• Persecution of Christians by Nero and subsequent emperors.
• Spread of Christianity to Gentiles and establishment of Christian doctrines.

Constantine and the Christian Empire

• Constantine's rise to power and vision before the Battle of Milvian Bridge.
• Edict of Milan (313 CE) legalizing Christianity.
• Constantine's consolidation of power and establishment of Constantinople as the new capital.
• Council of Nicaea (325 CE) and the Nicene Creed.
• Division of church hierarchy and rise of monasticism.
• Theodosius' edict making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Decline and Fall of the Western Roman Empire

• Gradual decay and difficulty in maintaining control.
• Withdrawal of troops and invasions by Germanic tribes.
• 410 CE: Ransacking of Rome by invading army.
• Final abdication of the last Western Roman Emperor in 476 CE.
• Emergence of Germanic kingdoms in Western Europe.
• Continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire as the Byzantine Empire.
• Justinian's partial reconquest and legal reforms.

Rise of Islam

• Origins of Islam with the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE.
• Rapid expansion of Islam across the Middle East, North Africa, and into Europe.
• Establishment of significant Muslim civilizations in places like the Iberian Peninsula.

Conclusion

• By the 8th century, former Roman territories were influenced by Christianity and Islam.
• The two religions shaped Western civilization for centuries.
• Next unit to cover the post-Roman world and the Middle Ages.