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Rome & Byzantium. 7.5. A. Unrest & Invasion. When the Pax Romana was over Germanic enemies were on Rome’s northern border The Roman army was full of non- R omans This army was too weak to repel the Germanic invasions The wealthy made their homes into forts
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Rome & Byzantium 7.5
A. Unrest & Invasion • When the PaxRomana was over Germanic enemies were on Rome’s northern border • The Roman army was full of non-Romans • This army was too weak to repel the Germanic invasions • The wealthy made their homes into forts • Rome could no longer collect taxes here
B. The Empire Divided • Diocletian becomes emperor • He decides to divide the empire • Diocletian takes the eastern ½ (the richer ½) • He saw Christians as a threat to the empire, so he begins the worst of the Christian persecutions • Rome is no longer the center of the empire
C. Constantinople • Constantine moves the capital to Byzantium, which he renames Constantinople (today – Istanbul) • The power and wealth had shifted from Rome to the eastern empire • Constantinople was also an easy city to defend • Constantine ended the Christian persecutions and made Christianity 1 of the official religions
D. The New Rome • While the east flourished the Germanic invasions continued in the west – Rome is sacked in AD 410 • The last emperor in Rome is removed in 476 by another Germanic tribe • Byzantium, as the east becomes known, lasts for another 1000 years • The east is strongly influenced by Greece • Greek culture also strongly influences Christianity – Eastern Orthodox Christians no longer recognize the Pope as their leader
E. Justinian • Tried to unify the empire by only allowing certain types of Christianity • Persecuted non-believers • Tried to recapture Roman territory • Remade the city of Constantinople, including the Hagia Sophia (Church of Holy Wisdom) • For 1000 years this was the world’s largest building • Most importantly, he created the Justinian Code unifying the laws • This is the basis of western laws today
F. Theodora • Actress who married Justinian before he was emperor • Gave wise advise • Supported women’s rights • Charitable – had public hospitals and kitchens built • Courageous – during a revolt she refused to leave the city inspiring her husband and his adviser, probably saving his throne