1. OBJECTIVES:
Explain reasons for the emergence of Christianity in
Ancient Rome
Identify the cause of the decline of the Roman
Empire
Describe the changes made by Diocletian and
Constantine
Explain how the Western Roman Empire fell
(Cause and Effect)
2. WHAT WAS SO GREAT ABOUT ROME?
At the time when Jesus was born between 4 and 6
B.C.E.. The Empire of Rome was at it’s peak.
Romans had made advances in science,
architecture, math, government, and philosophy
Rome had a representative Senate that was led by
an emperor
4. RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE
The Romans had a law which required Roman
citizens to make a sacrifice to the Emperor because
the Romans believed that he was divine (or a god).
However, one group was exempt from sacrifice –
The Jews – The Roman government allowed the
Jews to practice their own religion. However, the
Jews did not have political freedom.
5. THE HEBREWS
The Hebrews or Jews were a group of people who
believed that there was only one God and that
someday they would rule their own homeland.
They also believed that a messiah or divinely
appointed king, would be sent by God to lead them
to freedom.
Some people believed that Jesus was the Messiah
6. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
Jesus was born between 4
and 6 B.C.E. in Judea, an
area of Palestine.
What is known about Jesus
was written by his followers
after his death in documents
called “Gospels”.
When Jesus was 30 years
old he began to teach that
one should love God, one’s
neighbor, and one’s
enemies.
Jesus’ teachings were
popular among the poor and
spread quickly.
8. THE GOSPELS
The Gospels state that Jesus healed a blind man,
healed the sick, and performed other miracles
Some Jews believed that Jesus was going to lead
an uprising against the Romans. However, Jesus
did not believe in using force to spread his
message
Jewish and Roman officials became concerned
about the growing influence of Jesus. The Gospels
reported that Jesus was betrayed , arrested,
sentenced by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor,
and crucified.
10. Why did Rome fall?
Too Large to
Maintain
Weak Economy
Dependence on Slavery
Poor
Agriculture
Corrupt
Government
Invasions
Weak Military
Decline in
Education
Rise of Christianity
11. THE FALL OF ROME
After the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 C.E.
Rome was showing several signs of weakness
Rome Suffered Economically, Militarily, and Politically
Agriculture became weak
Too large to maintain
Invasions
Rise of Christianity
12. CONFLICTS BETWEEN ROME AND THE
CHRISTIANS
Roman government required that everyone treat
the emperor as a god.
Christian beliefs were dangerous to the well-being
of the Roman Empire.
Christianity grew in strength and the Roman empire
became weaker.
The weaker the empire became the more
Christianity was appealing to many people.
13. MILITARY AND POLITICAL PROBLEMS
The military had severe problems with soldiers
Soldiers began to express loyalty to individual
military leaders and not the empire as a whole
Political leaders became more interested in
advancing themselves than performing their duties
in government
14. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES
During the 2nd C. Rome stopped expanding
No new conquest = no new income = higher taxes=
hardship for Roman citizens
Less education
Communication became difficult
People became less informed about civil matters
15. DECLINE IN AGRICULTURE
Over farming and
constant warfare
Slave labor added to
the problem – Romans
were less likely to
invest in farming
technology
Romans suffered from
disease and hunger
and the population
declined
16. DIOCLETIAN AND THE SPLIT OF THE ROMAN
EMPIRE
In 284 C.E. Diocletian became emperor
His policies:
He believed the empire was too large for one leader to
control and split the Roman Empire into Western and
Eastern sections
He ruled with unlimited power and with an iron fist and
did not accept opposition to his power
For example, he declared that no one could leave their job and
children must work at the job of their father
17. CONSTANTINE
313 C.E. Constantine takes control of the Roman
Empire
He initiated two significant reforms:
1- He brought an end to all attacks on Christians –
played a key role in the growth and spread of
Christianity
2 – Moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium which
signified the switch in power from Western to Eastern
Rome
After his death the Western part of the empire
declined
18.
19. Invasions!
In 375 The Huns attacked and
terrorized areas of Rome and
Germanic tribes
In 378 The Visigoths began
attacking the Romans. The
Romans counter attacked but were
defeated at the Battle of Adrianople
– Very Significant!! ROME
LOST!!
In 410 the Visigoths attacked and
looted the city of Rome
In 476 A German leader took control
of Rome – this signifies the official
Fall of Rome
In 455 another
German tribe
raided Rome –
The Vandals
In 486 – Clovis, the
leader of the Franks,
invaded the final
territory of Rome,
Gaul, and
established a
Frankish Kingdom
20. Why did Rome fall?
Too Large to
Maintain
Weak Economy
Dependence on Slavery
Poor
Agriculture
Corrupt
Government
Invasions
Weak Military
Decline in
Education
Rise of Christianity