...The emperor Constantine was one most important emperor of Rome. The many great events laid foundations that would affect the future of Europe and Western Civilization for centuries to come. His recognition and support of Christianity was one of the most important moments in world history. Moving the government of the Roman Empire to Constantinople and founding New Rome was one of the most significant decisions made by a Roman ruler. This is just one indication of his importance in history and the honor in which he was held by his people. Constantine was born in Naissus, a town in Serbia, on February 27 probably sometime in the 270’s CE. His mother was named Helena who would later become a Christian. Because of her good works, she was made a Christian saint after her death. Constantine’s father was a career military officer named Constantius. Constantine was married at least twice and had four sons Crispus, Constantine II, Constantius, Constans. Constantius, his father, was in charge of the Roman Province of Britannia. When Constantius died Constantine, was immediately proclaimed emperor by the army. However, it took many years of political struggle and actual civil war before he could consolidate his power. Constantine finally became the ruler of the Roman Empire in 323 CE. Constantine’s major accomplishments, the most important were his recognition of the Christianity. In 313 CE, Constantine issued the Edict of Milan which allowed full freedom for Christians to practice...
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...and speak through the common languages within their countries to make it easier to communicate and understand laws, romantic love and to also spread the words of god within the Christian churches. The Catholic Church was established in 325 CE (Sayre,2013), approximately 300 years after the death of Jesus Christ. By 476 BE, the Germans had taken over the Roman Empire under the rule of Constantine as he started to build his empire known as the Byzantine Empire . Constantine, the first Christian ruler, a believer of Jesus Christ, moved the Roman Empire to Instanbul, formerly known as modern day, Turkey. Upon establishing his empire and the Christian church Constantine named that city after himself, Constantinople. After the Christian Church was established came the Medieval Ages which took place in Britain. The Medieval Age was also known as the dark or the middle ages. Not many things changed or were created during this time, as the people followed the words of their respected ruler(s) and what they said; for example, they left their fate up to faith, in which was determined by the ruler of their time. This was why the Middle Ages were also known as a dark time. Within the...
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...Decline of the Roman/Han/Gupta Empires Diverse Interpretations Assignment COMPARISONS TO FOCUS ON: * The causes for the decline of the Roman, Han and Gupta Empires * Understanding of how and why the collapse of the empire was more severe in Western Europe than it was in the Asian Empires. * Comparison of the role that religions played in the declines * The impact of missionary outreach of the Christians and Buddhists in these empires RESOURCES * Upshur – “The Decline of Empires” * Stearns - Decline of Empires. * Frank Smitha - “Decline and Fall” * Johnson and Johnson – “Why Don’t Empires Last?” * Spodek – “China and Rome: How do they compare?” * Bulliet pages 168-170 and 186-189. ASSIGNMENT 1. Construct a Venn comparing and contrasting the causes for decline of the Roman, Han and Gupta empires. Information will come from the documents and not the lecture…you already wrote the lecture notes once, why write them again? Rome Han similarities Gupta 2. Write 3 comparative analytical mini-paragraphs about the decline of empires. (generalization, facts, analysis…) Remember that analysis answers the question “why?” Example: The AP World History teachers have very different tastes in beverages. Ms. Forswall likes tea while Ms. Patch likes cola. Green tea and Earl Grey are Ms. Forswall’s favorites; they taste nothing like Pepsi or Coke because soft drinks are much sweeter. Ms. Patch usually chooses a diet style of...
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...Initially the Italian Peninsula had three main groups on it, the Romans, the Greeks and the Etruscans. Rome itself was founded in 753 B.C.E. An Etruscan led monarchy was overthrown in 509 B.C.E. The Roman Republic consisted of two Consuls who were chosen annually and led the army into battle. The Roman praetor ruled in the consul’s absence but was responsible for civil justice. New praetors were put in place to rule over conquered provinces. During emergencies a temporary dictator was voted in who had unlimited power to handle the threat to Rome. Quaestor's assisted in financial matters, while aediles supervised the public games and grain supply. The Roman Senate consisted of 300 men who served for life and advised the consuls. The centuriate assembly was the political assembly of the Roman army, and the tribunes of the plebs were to protect plebeians against patrician magistrates. The council of the plebs, 471 B.C.E., passed laws for the plebeians. The Twelve Tables of Law had the laws and policies written down for all to see. The Roman confederation, 338 B.C.E., allowed for conquered nations to become citizens, it allowed for provinces to maintain their own autonomy in exchange for soldiers for the Roman Army. After the Italian Peninsula, Romans faced off with Carthage located by Tyre. Three Punic Wars followed with Carthage ultimately defeated. The First Triumvirate was a coalition between Pompey, Crassus and Caesar, who felt that the senate was continuously trying to...
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...the Roman Empire because the Romans felt that Christianity challenged and offended the Greco-Roman Gods and the Christians were prone to revolt against Roman rule. Christianity survived because it had many teachings that appealed to the downtrodden in Roman society, these teachings being that even though they were suffering they would gain equality and possibly superiority in the next life, Christianity gave them hope. When Emperor Constantine “converted” to Christianity, this conversion is not fact and often debated, after the Christian God gave him a vision that he would win a battle if he put the sign of Jesus Christ on his soldier’s banners. He did and won the battle decisively giving credit to the Christian God and then proceeded to favor Christianity over all religions in the Empire. Constantine’s favor was the turning point in the Christian religion. Under his rule Roman citizens converted in droves. When the Western Roman Empire collapsed around 476 A.D. all non-religious authority broke down throughout this empire and central Europe. Germanic tribes began to invade and take over these areas and the rule of law became almost non-existent. The Catholic Church maintained its organization giving the Christians a place to look for guidance during this dark time only increasing their power and influence. Because of the lawlessness of this era other hallmarks of Roman life dwindled including education (How Christianity rose to dominate Europe n.d.). The lack of education...
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...Unit 7 The Spread of Religions Section 1 Unit Materials Questions To Consider Question 1. How did Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam spread across the world, and why are they practiced so far from their origins? Question 2. How did these three major world religions change and adapt to diverse cultural circumstances? Question 3. Why did Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam emerge when and where they did? Question 4. How did Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam interact with, provide justification for, and conflict with various states and empires in Afro-Eurasia? The Big Picture How is this topic related to Increasing Integration? As Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam spread across the borders and frontiers of Afro-Eurasia, they integrated diverse peoples by means of a common religion. How is this topic related to Proliferating Difference? The spread of Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam introduced new beliefs and practices to a wide variety of peoples. These beliefs and practices were often quite different from indigenous religions. In addition, indigenous beliefs and practices often changed the new religions as they adapted to local conditions. These changes frequently resulted in the development of different sects within the new religions. Unit Purpose ß Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam spread across borders and frontiers as a result of missionaries, pilgrims, and trade. Each of these three major world religions changed over time, and all served as elements of change in the societies...
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...WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO CAMPUS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE AND CHRISTIAN ETHICS A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO DR. JOHN M. ANDREWARTHA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BASIC CHRISTIAN ETHICS RLGN 5323 SUBMITTED BY ROBERT L. JOHNSON April 14, 2008 Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………….……....1 Part I: Definition of Civil Disobedience………………………………………..….…..1 Part II: Definition of Christian Ethics…………..……………………………….……..1 Part III: Biblical and Historical Practice of Civic Responsibility.……………………..2 Part IV: The Rise of Political Power in the Church and the Struggles Associated…….7 Part V: The Necessity for Civil Disobedience..………………………………………..9 Part VI: What Difference Did the Civil Rights Struggle Make? ..................................12 Conclusion…....................................................................................................................16 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………….18 INTRODUCTION This research will focus on the topic of “Civil Disobedience and its Relativity to Christian Ethics.” The research will address whether it is ever justifiable to disobey the laws of secular governments. In doing so, it will discuss the Doctrine of Civic Responsibility as it relates to Christian Ethics. Furthermore, Romans 13:1-7 will be referenced to provide additional insight into how the Church has historically responded to civil government’s...
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...in the decline and collapse was epidemic diseases which may have killed up to half of the population. The spread of epidemic diseases in the Roman Empire resulted in a shrinking population which had an adverse effect on trade, army recruiting, tax revenue, political instability, and a shift in religious values. The importing and exporting of goods, animals and people along the Silk Roads and sea routes not only brought much needed and wanted goods; with it also came unfamiliar diseases and barbarians. Without the resistance, immunity, or medicines; widespread death and chaos resulted. Emperors and upper classes enjoyed a luxurious and extravagant lifestyle at the expense of the tax paying citizen and became more self-centered and less concerned about social and political responsibilities. This caused a decline in influence and great resentment among the lower classes. Political instability meant centralized government became weaker and because of growing difficulty protecting its borders from invaders; farmers and laborers began looking for protection from regional landlords which corrupted the political stability of the empire. Increased taxes were far too burdensome on the peasantry, which led to social unrest, decline of patriotism, and distrust of rulers resulting in emperors having less ability to rule and disputes over succession led to continual army intervention known as the barracks emperors. Some emperors tried to restore central authority. Diocletian...
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...THE RISE OF THE PAPACY Presented to Professor G. Johnson For CHHI 301-D06 LUO By Dana Peebles August 2, 2015 Introduction During the 6th century, the rise of the Roman Catholic Church increased in power. With the leadership of the papacy, this endured up until the 9th century. While there were both positive and negative ramifications of this reality, the biggest is the influence of papal authority and the effect that it had over Christianity. The collapse of the Roman Empire brought order to not only orthodoxy, but also the government. Throughout this essay, it is my desire to touch on these areas. In addition, I will also discuss some of the contributing factors to the dominion of Western Europe and what happened up until the Reformation. The effect of the barbarian invasion and the continuation of Western Civilization during the Middle Ages, is truly a time within history that impacts the church and its association with supremacy. The How And Why Of The Papacy And The Power It Had In understanding the significance of the papacy and the power it had, it only makes sense to begin with a good solid definition of it. “The term pappa, from which the word “pope” is derived, originated in ancient colloquial Greek as an endearing term for “father,’ and was then applied, beginning in the third century, to Eastern patriarchs, bishops, abbots, and eventually parish priests.” [1]. Throughout Rome and the Western part of the Empire, this term “became...
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...news and different media outlets. It should be noted that no nation has been spared of the effects of religious politics because religious legislative issues inside of a nation might significantly influence issues in another nation with a totally diverse point of view toward religion, governmental issues, and the issues being referred to. Thus, there is an ever-increasing need to make a global "analytic map of faith," with the capacity to adequately explain the location and influence of these religions on human behavior. Such map proves to be a significant tool to explain why a particular religion is associated with specific behaviors or actions. Religious beliefs are diverse across the globe. Although majority of people are of the belief in the presence of one supreme God (Monotheism) others believe that there are multiple gods. Another sect believes in no God at all (atheism). Owing to this diversity, setting up a global analytical map of faith proves to be a challenging task. Nevertheless, the three popular monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) are a superb benchmark to set up the analytical map of faith. Three of the world's major religions -Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - were all conceived in the Middle East and are all inseparably connected to each other. Christianity was conceived from inside of the Jewish custom, and Islam created from both Christianity and Judaism. These three monotheistic religions all offer in like manner the conviction...
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...influential in this time period such as; Charlemagne being crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, church participation in feudalism, lay investiture, simony, and finally the Concordat of Worms. These topics are the major factors that outline the evolution of church and state relations so their effects will be discussed in great detail throughout this paper. Charles Augustus being crowned emperor by Pope Leo III most definitely marks the beginning of church relations in the given time period. Charles Augustus along with many previous Frankish rulers had constantly fought for the Christian church, preserving it throughout its many vulnerable time periods. Charles Martel held back the Muslim invasion while Peppin had succeeded in subduing the Lombards. Charles Augustus only continued the French’s support of the Christian church by conquering many German tribes, and then converting them to Christianity. All the while Augustus also had enforced a tithe, or 10% tax on the income of all Christians to benefit church properties and support them materially. Pope Leo III crowning Augustus also showed the Rome's independence from the Greeks in Constantinople. Since the days of Constantine things had changed extremely, the eastern part of the Roman Empire had greatly increased...
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...RESEARCH PAPER 2 THE PAPACY Jonathan Waters February 18, 2013 CHHI 301-B12 During the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Bishop of Rome became a very influential and powerful figure in the church. Many different men held this position and were very successful. Although many of the effects of the papacy were positive, the overwhelming power they held, combined with the age of obscurantism, superstition, and credulity in which they lived, allowed many false claims and doctrines to come about. Some of these doctrines are still existence today. They have caused many dissentions throughout the centuries following the rise of the Papacy. The historical beginnings of the Papacy are somewhat hard to uncover. Due to the decline in power of the Western Emperor, the Bishop of Rome, or Pope, became the primary political leader of Italy. The word “pope” is derived from the term pappa, which originated in the ancient colloquial Greek as an endearing term for “father.” It was a common title applied to most of the Eastern clergy. However, in the West the term was only common in Rome and in the later eleventh century was made the official title for the Bishop of Rome by Gregory VII. The term “papacy” (papatus), meant to distinguish the Roman bishop’s office from all other bishoprics (episcopates), also originated in the later eleventh century. However, this position was more than just a political position. The papacy was a unique sort of monarchy in that it claimed jurisdiction...
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...turned to Christianity at some point. Their philosophies were also quite different. They each studied the building blocks of the universe and created their own theories. With any empire come societal struggles. Both the Greek and Roman empires dealt with such struggles but the main aspect of the struggles varied. Territorial expansion was very important in both the Greek and the Roman empires. They both sought out to find more land and fought for the land they found through wars and battles. Trade and commerce were a major contribution to both empires as well. While both empires traded different things both within their empires, they also traded outside of it. The Roman and Greek civilizations also dealt with a decline in civilization. The reasoning behind their declines was different, but both empires contributed to their own decline. Religions and Philosophies While the Greek and Roman religions differed greatly, they both turned to Christianity at one point. In the beginning religions, the Greeks and Romans alike believed in many gods. Each of these gods was believed to be a god of certain events. Both the Greek and the Romans worshipped their gods at temples. The Romans did so in public congregations whereas the Greeks did so in a more private level. Each god was given its own name in both the Greek and the Roman Empires. While the Greeks and the Romans began to follow the early Christian religion, only the wealthy Greeks could follow it until Christianity came...
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...Question: Explain the development and the nature of the Byzantine institutions (church and state), social and urban life, and cultural achievements? Answer: Byzantine art is the term commonly used to describe the artistic products of the Eastern Roman Empire from about the 5th century until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. (The Roman Empire during this period is conventionally known as the Byzantine Empire.) The term can also be used for the art of states which were contemporary with the Byzantine Empire and shared a common culture with it, without actually being part of it, such as Bulgaria, Serbia or Russia, and also Venice, which had close ties to the Byzantine Empire despite being in other respects part of western European culture. It can also be used for the art of peoples of the former Byzantine Empire under the rule of the Ottoman Empire after 1453. In some respects the Byzantine artistic tradition has continued in Greece, Russia and other Eastern Orthodox countries to the present day. The finest work, the most elegant, and the most accomplished technically, was, naturally enough, associated with the Byzantine capital, Constantinople, which was the very hub of the civilized world from the foundation of the city as capital around 330 till its conquest by the Turks in 1453. But there were other great centers too. In Rome, Milan, Ravenna, and elsewhere in the West works of the greatest importance that were in no way provincial were executed in the early years of Christendom...
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...HUM 1000: WORLD CIVILIZATIONS NOTES BY DR. KAKAI P.W THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF CIVILIZATION IN AFRICA Definition of key terms As we begin this course, it is crucial to first discuss our understanding of the concept ‘civilization’. This is a comparative term which is usually applied in comparison to such words as ‘barbarian’ ‘savage’ and ‘primitive’. In classical antiquity the Europeans used the word ‘barbarian’ to refer to a foreigner who was regarded as inferior (Ogutu and Kenyanchui, An Introduction To African History, 1991 p33). Do you think this is still the way we use the word barbarian? The Latin speakers referred to hunters, food-gatherers as savage. In the 17th century this term ‘savage’ referred to a person without art, literacy, or society who lived in fear of existence and death. ‘Primitive’ on the other hand, in Latin meant ‘the first or original’. Europeans used these words interchangeably when referring to non-Europeans while the word civilization was preserved to describe historical developments of European people (ibid). Now the term civilization is no longer confined to the above development but also extends reference to non-European communities. Attributes of civilization includes observance to law, belonging to an organized society, having a society of literate people with advanced developments in urbanization, agriculture, commerce, arts and technology. The French thinkers of the 18th century referred to a person of the arts and literature...
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