decline of the roman empire
Jesus spends three years preaching is killed
Saul becomes Paul after he experienced a miracle
Christianity evolves from cult status to established official structure
priest bishops pope bishop of Rome
Christians and Jews were monotheistic
this conflicted with roman beliefs
persecution against both was common Christianity appealed to the poor and since there were many poor their numbers grew
as it grew even some roman leaders embraced Christianity
Ad 313 Constantine has a battlefield conversion
he issues the Edict of Milan
not only no persecution but actual approval of Christianity eventually making it the official religion of Rome
the Roman Empire and Christianity are now linked in power and influence
AD 180 Rome has problems
economic (trade became risky; taxes were to high; rood supply was dropping)
Military (frontiers were hard to patrol; roman generals fought for control; soldier' loyalty declined and mercenaries appeared)
Diocletian divided the empire into two
Greek-speaking east (had more resources)
Latin-speaking West (Rome, tradition)
AD 324 - Constantine becomes emperor over both halves of the empire
moves the capital from Rome to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople) where Asia met Europe (now Turkey)
after his death, empire is divided again this time, "barbarian invaders" ( Vandals, Visigoths, Angles, Saxons< Franks) overrun the empire's frontiers
That's it for the Roman Empire (AD 476)