Bellringer

• Why did mountains create Greek city-states but a Roman empire?

Agenda

1. Pompeii pics2. Christianity3. Decline and Fall of Rome4. Project work time

Objectives

Students will be able to…49. Analyze the founding and expansion

of Christianity and the adoption of Christianity in the Roman Empire.

50. Summarize the factors causing the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.

Christianity

Objective #49

Disclaimer• This lesson will follow the broad outline (the

textbook definition) of Christianity. We all have different beliefs, even those who share the same religion name.• You are not asked to believe or agree with all

that is taught today, and we will not have a religious debate. • Think today about the historical, not religious

connections.

Roman Religion Before Christianity

• Roman polytheism–Many gods–Cities or families had own pantheon–Some emperors considered gods

• Judaism–Monotheistic religion–Based in Roman province of Judea

Judea

Judea

• Romans conquer Judea in 63 BCE–That part is easy

• Governing is hard!–Some Jews resist Roman control–Several revolts, Roman soldiers

control territory in 6 CE

Jesus of Nazareth• Born in Judea around 6 BCE• Jewish• At age 30, switched from carpentry to

ministry–Preached, taught, did good works,

performed miracles• First followers were apostles

Jesus’ Death• Jesus became famous–Jewish leaders rejected his popularity–Roman leaders feared his popularity

• Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, sentenced Jesus to death in 29 CE–Crucifixion was common punishment

for Roman criminals

Jesus Christ• Christianity forms in response to

Jesus’ death–Christ = Christos, messiah in Greek

• After death–Proclaimed to be the son of god, the

savior who will return to earth–Determined to be an incarnation

Historical Sources• Old Testament = Hebrew Torah• New Testament = Gospels–Writings of the apostles about Jesus’ life

• Details are shaky because–Gospels contradict–Some thought Jesus’ return would be

quick, so careful notes weren’t needed

Fish

• Acronym for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the savior” in Greek is ichthys• In Greek, ichthys means fish

Spread of Christianity

• Paul, an apostle, spreads the religion• Why spread so easily?–Common languages (Greek and Latin)–Roads and trade routes–Salvation–Equality–Early martyrs –Personal connection

Organization

• Bishop• Pope

• Modeled after Roman Empire’s organization of the bureaucracy• Councils of leaders set doctrine

Christianity in Rome• Stages of influence–Ignored–Persecuted–Allowed–Adopted

• Became a source of authority for the emperor, then a source of authority GREATER than the emperor

The Decline and Fall of the Roman

Empire

Objective #50

Expanding is easy…

• Conquering lands brings in money, governing lands costs lots of money• Need soldiers to defend new

territories and government officials to administer them• Fight wars to keep control• Raise taxes to pay for it

Agricultural Reasons

• Growing less food to feed more people–Soil loses fertility• It’s not a river valley – no silt!

–Wars destroy farms–Taxes force farmers out of business

Geographic Reasons

• Empire too large and complex for one man to rule• Too many places for enemies to

attack

Economic Reasons

• Trade declines–Invaders and pirates

• Inflation – when the value of money declines (the same amount of money brings you less in return)–Government makes more coins,

each with less silver than before

Inflation Explained• You earn 20 coins per week. Each coin is 2

ounce of silver• Shoes cost 10 ounces of silver. How many

coins?• Now, each coin is only 1 ounce of silver.

How many coins?• Your money is worth less (and soon to be

worthless!)

Moral Reasons

• People lose faith in Rome–Used to be proud to be a Roman

citizen–Used to be willing to sacrifice for

Rome

Military Reasons• Many invaders and enemies–Huns and Germans – nomads in the

north–Persians expanding in the east

• Need more soldiers–Hire mercenaries–But they don’t fight for Rome

Political Reasons

• Bad emperors• Corrupt bureaucrats• No one wants to serve• 50 emperors in 50 years; 25 died

violently

Help Wanted!

• The Roman empire is too big, has too many enemies, and lots of internal problems. Brainstorm some ideas for the new emperor, Diocletian, who wants to reform the empire

Diocletian’s Reforms

1. Doubles the size of the army2. Fixes the price of goods3. Links the emperors

to the Roman gods• Persecutes Christians

4. Divides the empire

Rome East and West

West is not Best• Split makes sense: East is Greek, west

is Latin• Plus, Eastern Empire is –Safer from nomads–Closer to trade routes (richer)

• Diocletian takes east, co-emperor stays in Rome

It Works!

• At least, while Diocletian is alive• Civil war breaks out, four generals

fight for control

Constantine

• At a battle at the Milvian Bridge, he saw a cross and the sign “in hoc signo, vinces”• Converts to Christianity, wins the

battle, and becomes emperor• Controls the West in AD 312, East in

AD 324

Constantine’s Reforms

1.Restores concept of one ruler–There can be only one!

2.Moves the capital to the east–Greek city of Byzantium–Renamed it Constantinople

3.Legalizes (and converts to) Christianity• After his death, empire divides again

Constantinople

Fall of Rome

• Internal problems, and invaders• Huns–Nomads from Mongolia–Really nasty people–Scared away the Germanic tribes–Attack, but don’t conquer, Rome

Germanic Tribes

• Nomads in…Germany–Some settled, but were pushed out

by the Huns• Romans and Germanic tribes fought

for centuries (remember Caesar in Gaul)• Raid Rome in 410, sack it in 476