Rome…and Empire in danger

Mercenaires weakend the armyChristianity weakened the

power of the Emperor

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Religion of the RomansRomans were inspired in their religious beliefs by the Greeks…polytheistic and antrhropomorphic

Only the names changed, as they were given latin names. Jupiter

Supreme god!Zeus

chez les Grecs.

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The rise of christianity

One of the reasons the empire was so stable was due to the traditions that were followed by the entire population.

One of the grandest traditions was religion…Christianity changed all of that for thousands of citizens in the Empire.

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http://www.newlife-ag.com/pictures/jesus_story/Story%20of%20Jesus%20in%20Pictures%20015.jpg

The rise of Christianity

While the Empire had a social ladder, christianity offered egality to everyone despite their social status.

Founded on love, everyone, even the EmperorWas equal before God.

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http://www.trinity-reformed.org/jesus111.jpg

The rise of Christianity Jesus favored monotheism, the opposite of the polytheistic ways of the Empire.

Christianity became popular, especially for the poor and the least powerful in the Empire…and it is not difficult to understand why!!!

Christianity offered hope and a feeling of belonging.

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http://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Jesus'%20Ministry%20Artwork/images/a_gift_for_jesus.jpg

Persecution of the Christians As Christians refused to participate in the worship of all the gods and religious ceremonies, they were persecuted for three centuries and it was against the laws of the Empire. They were actually fed to the lions and crucified for their beliefs.

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http://gicotan.club.fr/passionscan/Crucifixion2.JPG

The network that allowed for the diffusion of Christianity

throughout the Empire

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The Empire and the army actually led to the downfall of itself with its roads, built to allow for easy transportation of the army and goods within the Empire.

How???

The network of roads was used by Christians to spread the word of Jesus throughout the Empire, and little by little the Pope gained more power than the Emperor. http://www.geog.umontreal.ca/Geotrans/fr/ch1fr/conc1fr/img/romannet.gif

Roman network of roads

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The Emperor and the army built the roads…

There were over 150 000 km of roads built, much by the army, but also by slaves.

They were 2 to 3 meters wide with many layers of brick, sand and rocks (very well built)

http://www.wqsb.qc.ca/symmes/Programs/HISTOIRE/rome/route.bmp

Constantine, 1st Christian Emperor

It was during the IVth Century that the Roman Emperor, Constantine, tolerated Christianity and, by his baptism in 313 became the first Roman Emperor that was a Christian.

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http://www.villesfortifiees.org/media/constantin.jpg

The Fall of the EmpireThe Empire was divided in 395…The Western Empire (west of Greece) The Eastern Empire (including Greece, Egypt and the near East)

http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/francophonie/images/Empire-romain-partage.gif

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3 factors that contributed to the fall of the Empire

1. The administration was incompetent (political situation)

2. The army was weak and lost its fighting spirit (military situaiton).

3. The economy was weak; leading an Empire is expensive (economic situation)

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Les Invasions Barbares

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Grandes_Invasions_Empire_romain.png/400px-Grandes_Invasions_Empire_romain.png

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The Invasions

By 476, it was all over…the end of the Empire.

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