AD 180: Rome has problems
- economic (trade became risky; taxes were too high; food supply was dropping)
- military (frontiers were hard to patrol; Roman generals fought for control; soldiers loyalty declined and mercenaries appeared)
- Greek- speaking East (had more resources)
- Latin- speaking west (Rome, Tradition)
DIOCLETION
Diocletian (Latin: Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus Augustus)[5][notes 1] (245–311)[4][6] was Roman emperor from 284 to 305. Born to a family of low status in the Roman province of Dalmatia, Diocletian rose through the ranks of the military to become cavalry commander to the Emperor Carus. After the deaths of Carus and his son Numerian on campaign in Persia, Diocletian was proclaimed emperor. The title was also claimed by Carus' other surviving son, Carinus, but Diocletian defeated him in the Battle of the Margus. Diocletian's reign stabilized the empire and marks the end of the Crisis of the Third Century. He appointed fellow officer Maximian as augustus, co-emperor, in 286.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocletian
- Son of freed slave
- he didn't like Christians
- AD 324- Constantine becomes emperor over both halves of the empire
- Moves the capital from Rome to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople), where Asia met Europe (now turkey)
- after his death, empire is divided again
- This time, "barbarian invaders" (Huns, vandals, Visigoths, angles, Saxons, Franks) overrun the empire
- that's it for the Roman Empire (AD 476)
- he rules from 284 - 303
- thought that Rome needs a big army (400,000 strong)
- Rome needs a big Government (20,000 officials)
CONSTANTINE
- Rules from 306-337
- says its cool to be a Christian and almost became one his self because of his vision
- conversion to Christianity (Via a cross in the sky(Conquer by this!)
- 313 his edict of Milan proclaims freedom, of worship
- Byzantium, soon to be known as Constantinople
Milan proclaims freedom, of worship
The Edict of Milan refers to the February 313 agreement to treat Christians benevolently within the Roman Empire.[1] Western Roman Emperor Constantine I, and Licinius, who controlled the Balkans, met in Milan and among other things, agreed to change policies towards Christians.[
1]
LIFE OF THE FOURTH CENTURY
- country dwellers are getting bankrupt by endless tax collection
- new farming system: peasants work for elite landlords on large farms
- peasants can avoid paying taxes, but they are getting hit just as hard by the landlords
- Paying off depts. and being "allowed" to live on the land, in exchange for endless back breaking work
- landowners hold power as counts and bishops, wielding more real power than the faraway empire
- foreshadowing feudalism
- Rome's power is decreasing while nomadic barbarians gain power
- Western Europe Is too poor, begins to be neglected
- Huns might migrate from China to eastern Europe
- Visigoths control Carthage and the Western Mediterranean
- other barbarian tribes: Ostrogoth's in Italy
- Franks in Gaul
- Angles and Saxons in Britain
- 500 BC- the monarchy is established
- 450 BC- The twelve tables are established
...through the glory days
- 44 BC- end of the line for Julius Caesar
- 27 Bc- 180 AD- the Roman Peace (pax Romana)
... to the bitter end
- constant fifth century invasions by barbarians tribes left the western Roman Empire shattered and crumbling
- The last Emperor was a teenage boy installed in 475 by his father
- barbarians deposed Romulus Augustulus without bothering to kill him
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