Bellringer

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

2. Agenda • Pompeii pics • Christianity • Decline and Fall of Rome • Project work time

3. 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.

4. Objective #49 Christianity

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Judea

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. Organization • Bishop • Pope • Modeled after Roman Empire’s organization of the bureaucracy • Councils of leaders set doctrine

16. 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

17. Objective #50 The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

18. 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

19. 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

20. Geographic Reasons • Empire too large and complex for one man to rule • Too many places for enemies to attack

21. 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

22. 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!)

23. Moral Reasons • People lose faith in Rome • Used to be proud to be a Roman citizen • Used to be willing to sacrifice for Rome

24. 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

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

26. 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

27. Diocletian’s Reforms • Doubles the size of the army • Fixes the price of goods • Links the emperors to the Roman gods • Persecutes Christians • Divides the empire

28. Rome East and West

29. 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

30. It Works! • At least, while Diocletian is alive • Civil war breaks out, four generals fight for control

31. 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

32. Constantine’s Reforms • Restores concept of one ruler • There can be only one! • Moves the capital to the east • Greek city of Byzantium • Renamed it Constantinople • Legalizes (and converts to) Christianity • After his death, empire divides again

33. Constantinople

34. 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

35. 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