Jake Alster

 The Division of Rome

 Parting Ways: East and West

 The Rise of Islam

 Implications of Byzantium

  Tetrachy ◦  New government system established by Diocletian

(284 – 305) ◦  This system allowed for four people to rule the

Roman Empire   Both the east and the west would have an Augustus

and Caesar to control the area. ◦  This is system how both Maxentius and Constantine

gained power in the fourth century A.D.

  Maxentius and Constantine start a civil war.

  Constantine emerges victorious in 312 A.D. ◦  Battle at Milvan Bridge

  Constantine then moves capital to Constantinople, in the east.

  Constantinople marks a new beginning in Roman history, the transition from Western dominance, to Eastern dominance.

  Western Empire ◦  “Barbization of Rome”

  When Rome was sacked by the barbarians, the western empire did not fall, but changed.

  Vistigoths became integral part of Roman politics

  Western empire would never be the same

  Eastern Empire ◦  Tried to retain Roman

values. ◦  Throughout the fourth

and fifth century, they were very prosperous ◦  Began to divide due to

conflicts within Christianity

  Capital city located at Constantinople.

  Population consisted of Hellenized people of middle eastern descent.

  Divided population due to religious beliefs.

  Wanted to return Roman Empire to its past prestige. ◦  Justinian actually

remade the Roman Empire

  Recaptured North Africa and Italy ◦  At very high costs ◦  Virtually left the

empire bankrupt

  Muhammad, in 610, reported he had a vision that he was the messenger of God

  He began preaching openly and was forced out of his hometown, Mecca

  He found residence in Medina, this journey from Mecca to Medina is known as the Hirja

  On this march, Muhammad found many followers, and in 629 returned to Mecca, and took the city

  The fundamentals of Islamic religion is found in the Qur’an

  Islamic religion spread very quickly throughout the area. ◦  Many tribes heard Muhammad’s message

  After Muhammad's death, his successors conquered a vast empire

  But, Conquering was easier than governing   The Islamic empire did not last long

  When most of Europe fell to Islam, Byzantine remained a Christian stronghold

  When the Western Empire fell to barbarian rule, Byzantium remained to Roman traditions

  Byzantium is also currently the center of Hellenized life.

  Kishlansky, Mark A., Patrick J. Geary, and Patricia O'Brien. Civilization in the West. New York: Longman, 2003. Print.

  Pictures ◦  Nihad Hamzic, Invasions of the Roman Empire, October 1st, 2006 ◦  Flamarande, Western Eastern Roman Empire, December 28th, 2007, CC ◦  F.R. von Hubner, Byzantine Constantinople, October 25th, 2006, cc ◦  Justinian43, Byzantine 737, November 3rd, 2007, CC ◦  ARTE, Byzantine Empire Animated2, July 17th 2007, CC ◦  Stranger, Justinian, May 7th, 2007, CC ◦  NormanEinstein, Mecca, Saudi Arabia locator map, April 20th, 2007, CC ◦  Doctor Yuri, Qur’an, December 16th, 2009, CC ◦  Brian Szymanski, Age of Caliphs, September 19th, 2007, CC ◦  Evil Berry, Coin of Byzantium, July 16th, 2009, CC