Rome (Ch 6) Sections 3 & 4

Romans Conquered Judea in 6 AD. Jesus was born here about 10-12 years before it became part of the Roman Empire.

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

-Many Jews believed Jesus was the Messiah (savior) destined to free them

Jesus’ Death •Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentenced Jesus to be crucified. •Apostles believed Jesus ascended into heaven after death, giving all Christians the ability to go to heaven. •Christos, Greek word for “savior”; Christianity derived from “Christ”.

Growth of Christianity •Followers spread Christianity—new religion based on Jesus’ teachings. It was open to all converts (and it was easy to convert to Christianity).

Paul’s Mission Apostle Paul spends his life preaching and interpreting Christianity. The Christian message was translated into the common languages of Latin and Greek help to spread the religion.

Christianity Spreads Through the Empire

Jewish Rebellion Jews rebelled against Roman rule; Roman troops stormed Jerusalem, destroy Temple

Rebellions in A.D. 66, 70, 132 fail; Jews were driven from their homeland.

•Diaspora: centuries of Jewish exile. (from Greek word for “dispersal”)

Persecution of the Christians •Christians would not worship Roman gods; were considered enemies of Roman rule •Roman rulers use Christians as scapegoats for hard times

•Towards the end of the Pax Romana, Christians were crucified, burned, killed in the arena

The earliest organized persecutions took place in 64AD under the rule of emperor Nero.

However, most of the violence that occurred was sporadic and done by violent mobs. The only exception being between 303-312AD, known as the “Great Persecution”, a direct order was given by the emperor (Diocletian) to destroy all Christian books and do not allow Christians to congregate (hold meetings).

People who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of a belief or cause.

Constantine Accepts Christianity • Constantine—Roman emperor,

battles for control of Rome in A.D. 312.

• Has vision of cross, Christian symbol; places on soldiers’ shields.

• Believes Christian God helped him win; legalizes Christianity.

• In A.D. 380 Emperor Theodosius makes Christianity official religion of the empire.

Section-4

The Fall of the Roman Empire

Internal problems and innovations spur the division and decline of the Roman Empire.

A Century of CrisisThe Empire Declines:

Pax Romana ends in A.D. 180 with death of emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Subsequent emperors were unable to govern the giant empire.

Rome’s Economy Weakens

Rome was running out of sources of silver and gold to make new coins. They started to mint coins that contained less silver, and caused inflation (drop in the value of money and rise in prices).

More on “Inflation” A continual increase in the price of goods and services (Webster).

Side note: Hyper-Inflation, is when inflation rates are at 50%+ a month (For example, on January 1st a bottle of Coke at the CU is 1,300 won. On February 1st, its up to 1,950 won).

Trillion Dollar Bill

Military and Political Turmoil

• Soldiers loyal to commanders, not Rome; commanders fought each other for control

• Government enlists mercenaries—foreign soldiers paid to fight

• Average citizens lose interest in the affairs of Rome, lose patriotism.

Eastern and Western EmpiresDiocletian thought the empire was too big for a single ruler to govern, so he spit it into two parts. This division didn’t last long: the next emperor Constantine united the empire again.

Constantine Moves the CapitalConstantine becomes emperor of Western Empire in A.D. 312 Seizes Eastern Empire in A.D. 324; moves Roman capital to Byzantium

Byzantium eventually renamed Constantinople.

Germanic/Mongolian Invasions Mongol nomads from Asia, the Huns, invade northern borders of empire

Germanic tribes flee Huns, enter Roman lands, sack Rome A.D. 410

The Western Empire Crumbles

“Bar

bari

ans”

Attila the Hun Attila—unites the Huns in A.D. 444; plunders 70 cities in East

Attacks Rome in 452; famine and disease prevents victory

Not Genghis Khan

100,000 soldiers

An Empire No MoreThe last Roman emperor (Romulus Augustulus, 14

years old) falls to Germans in 476; this was the end of the Roman empire in the west.

Romulus Augustulus

The East would continue to flourish with Constantinople as its capital

-Continuing on the Greco-Roman traditions -Would go on to last as the Byzantine Empire -This empire would continue on to till 1453 when overthrown by the Ottoman Turks.