History of Roman Empire to AD 800.

As Greece declined - in line with Daniel’s predictions from the image, Rome emerged.

1000 BC Rome - village on seven hills. By 700 BC Italy inhabited by various people of

different cultures and languages. By 670 BC Transformation into real city - own

temple, trade, culture - influenced by higher civilizations surrounding it.

Systems of Roman Rule. Founding to 264 BC - five systems of Government -

Regal, Consular, Dictatorial, Decemviral, Tribunitial followed by sixth - Imperial - Julius Caesar first Emperor.

Seventh system - Gothic followed in AD 476 with reversion to Imperial in AD 533.

Seven distinct systems of government of Rome symbolised by seven heads of the Roman beast referred to in Revelation (eg. 13:1)

Glory and Decline. By 100 - 200 AD Imperial Rome reached zenith of

glory - in riches, fame and splendour far outshone other contemporary cities and those before it.

Roman law and language overspread the world, head of Empire and of civilisation.

After 250 AD Western Empire broke into four separate kingdoms - Diocletian (AD 284-303) skillfully dividing power among joint-emperors.

Ascent of Constantine.

311 AD Constantine, became Emperor in West of one of the four divisions.

312 AD Battle of Milvian Bridge resulted in ruler of one division defeated - increase of power and eminence of Constantine.

Remained threefold division of Empire - highly significant link to Revelation – refers to “third” (Rev 12:4)

Great “Earthquake.”

Christianity under persecution became more powerful and spread widely.

Emperor Constantine utilized such commitment by supporting hitherto oppressed Christians.

Church evolved her administration - one Visible Catholic Church, uniform in faith and ritual.

Great political/social forces unleashed - pictured in Revelation as an earthquake. (Rev 6 :12 etc).

Constantine Sole Emperor. 324 AD Constantine overcame remaining rulers of the

empire - became first sole ‘Christian’ Emperor over reunited empire.

Not only emperor - also head of invigorated church with loyal adherents - same system of sacraments united all Christians in Empire.

Constantine presided in General Councils, issued edicts against heresy - Nicea in AD 325, doctrine of Trinity expounded - other beliefs condemned.

To be a Roman was to be a Christian - to be a Christian - a Roman.

AD 326-8 Constantine removed imperial residence / government to Byzantium - renamed it Constantinople or New Rome.

Accelerated eventual separation of East and West Roman Empire.

Subjects throughout Empire still regarded themselves as Roman.

A New Capital.

Decline from AD 395. Movement of the Capital opened Rome potentially to

attack from barbarians - tribes began weakening raids. Some barbarian tribes attracted by Rome - were

welcomed - lived in prosperity within it. Christians still believing in ‘Rome the eternal city’ -

“were filled with the belief drawn from Jewish prophecy that the great Fourth Kingdom was to last till the end of the world...” (Bryce J V 1904 p23).

All citizens unable to believe eternal city could fall.

VISIGOTHS

Barbarian Invading Europe

451 AD

Decline In The West.

Barbarian invaders progressively weakened the West - Alaric and the Goths, Genseric the Vandals, Attila and the Huns.

Fall Of The West. AD 476 Western Empire finally fell to Odoacer

– who deposed last Emperor - Romulus Augustulus.

Led to growth in papal power from Rome. Emperor in Constantinople - headed the still -

undivided Roman Catholic Church.

The Gothic King. After fourteen years, Odoacer was overthrown by

Theodoric, King of the Ostrogoths - Gothic Rule imposed (AD 493-526).

Emperor in Constantinople endorsed Gothic success.

By AD 520 Roman Empire of West -disappeared.