Exam: Part 10

I found Honors Western Civilization a very interesting class.  I learned about different events in history.  The world is constantly evolving and we just have to keep up with it. There are many different events in world history that have influence on the modern world today.  The class made me question the decisions made by world leaders and the different outcome of each situation.  I came into this class saying I like history.  Now, I come out saying I love history! Thank you for a wonderful year Mr. Wojo!   

Exam: Part 9

William Shakespeare was a true "Renaissance Man" because he had the biggest influence in classic literature.  His plays and poetry is still read up to this day.  The world in awe with his writings and plots of each play.  But what is a real Renaissance Man?  Well, he has to be skilled in multiple areas and must have a very broad base of knowledge.  Shakespeare is a good example because his writings will go down in history.  Although he does not walk the earth today, his spirit will always be heard through his writings.

Shakespeare knew a lot about history.  For example, his play, Julius Caesar, tells the story of the assassination of Rome's dictator and the events to follow after.  Although the dialog may not be historically correct, we know that what happened in the play was true.     

Exam: Part 8

Churches have been around for centuries but the design of each one is different.  The Romanesque churches were built with thick to keep enemies out and were a place of solitude.  The Gothic cathedrals were beautifully crafted and let the light of God shine into the church.  A modern example of how Gothic architecture still has an impact on the world is the Loyola University chapel in Baltimore.  Art has evolved and changed for the Catholic Church, but the love for God remains the same.

Figure #1-Saint George, rotude http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rotunde-of-St.-George-at-Rip.jpeg , photograph take June 8, 2005

Figure #2- St. Denis Chorumgang, interior, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:StDenis_Chorumgang.JPG, photograph taken April 29, 2005

Figure #3-St. Andrew's church, façade, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Andrew%27s_church_facade_(Krak%C3%B3w,_Poland).jpg , photograph taken April 7, 2006 

Figure #4-Cathedrale de Reims, interior, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cath%C3%A9drale_de_Reims_int%C3%A9rieur.jpg, photograph taken March 18, 2007 

Figure #5-Maria Lach, cathedral http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Lach_02.jpg, photograph taken April 28, 2008

Figure #6-Notre Dame, cathedral http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:060806-France-Paris-Notre_Dame.jpg, photograph taken August 6, 2006

Exam: Part 7

The Black Death started with the shipment of food from different areas.  Rats lived inside the ships and they carried many diseases that were deadly.  The food was infected by the rats and the bacteria was very harmful.  The people were in grave danger if they came into contact with the Black Death.  The Bubonic Plague spread like wildfire across Europe killing mass amounts of people and lowing the populations down to small numbers.  At the time there was no cure for a sickness like this, only moldy bread would have helped your body fight off the plague.  The doctors only had one prescription for a victim of the plague: wait for death to come for you.

I have worked endless hours only to tell the people one thing: death is coming.  The look on their faces are horrid. The victim's skin is covered in welts.  They bleed from the nose and do not have any strength to move out of bed.  If there was a cure then there would be no disease.  Only time will tell.

If the Black Death carried out today then the hospitals would be overrun with sick patients.  There would be a vaccine against the plague and a cure for it.  The rats would have been caught and tested for all the disease they carried.  People would have to be very cautious with handling food and sanitation.

Exam: Part 6

http://richardscrusadecampain.wikispaces.com/

Dear Editors:

Honestly, I think that Richard is a good fighter and leader, but I don't think it is necessary for him to go around and advertise his campaign around every corner.  I Saladin, find it a good thing because I now know when my enemies are coming.  My army ready and we will not go down without a fight.  The Holy Land is ours, and the true cross is mine.  Richard has no idea for what is coming for him.  It is my duty to defend my people as well.   I have just enough of a right to the Holy Land as Richard does.

I have been waiting my whole life to see England crumble and the Middle East to rise and become a very big mark on the world.  Tell Richard and his "holy" army to bring their weapons and battle cries.

Exam: Part 5

Question: Is it fair to say the United States is the modern day equivalent of the Roman Empire?

America's Rome

The Roman Empire was one of the greatest powers in history. Other civilizations have come along and and have made their mark as well. Now that the world has become a place where everything is divided up into counties, they have become little empires within themselves. America has had a major influence on the world because of its power, wealth, and generosity it has extended. The United States is equivalent to the Roman Empire.

At a time the Roman Empire stretched as far as the known world. The Romans had the most land. Like today, some countries have a lot of land and other do not. People can also expand the land that they own within their own country. For example, Ralph Caldwell has plans to extend his farm out into another county. "The larger you are, the more you can buy in bulk and then the more efficiently you can produce." (The Anniston Star, 6/8/11) Just like Romans, the bigger the land, the more powerful you were.

The Romans had problems with rebellions or other nations that wanted to take over just as America. The U.S. and parts of the Middle Eats are not on friendly terms. Blasts were given off yesterday in Saudi Arabia. America is not friendly with the country just as Rome was not friendly with the people of Northern Africa. Hannibal wanted to take over but because of a general with a plan to stop him, the Romans succeeded.

The Roman Empire had it ups and downs, but they also started out as a small civilization. They soon grew and got the recognition they deserved. During some parts of its history, there were bad times. The government was out of order and reorganization was in order. Our government has the strongest effect on how the U.S. manages its economy and jobs. Many Americans are still shaken up that they have not found a new job. The president expressed his concern for the loss of jobs. This puts a lot of stress on our nation's leaders and if this happened during the time of the Roman Empire the people would have been outraged.

If the Romans were to visit the United states today, they would surely be shocked. Hopefully they would notice that our government, jobs, and architecture are similar to what they would have been back in their time. The Romans were independent and so is the U.S. Both fought for power. The Romans have a huge influence on America and the world.

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/hr.asp?fpVname=AL_AS&ref_pge=gal&b_pge=1

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/hr.asp?fpVname=AR_ADG&ref_pge=gal&b_pge=1
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/hr.asp?fpVname=AL_OAN&ref_pge=gal&b_pge=1

Exam: Part 4

Herodotus gave a lot of facts and picked a side, but Thucydides had less information but wrote from each point of view.  


Herodotus: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/opinion/06fri4.html?ref=sept112001
Thucydides:http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/opinion/l10binladen.html?ref=sept112001

These articles are different because one has the coverage of the death of Bin Laden and the other talks about people's reactions.

The "Herodotus" article just talks about what has happened in our country, not in Afghanistan.

The "Thucydides" article has people writing in and expressing their opinion about the situation.    

Exam: Part 3

Some people say that the Egyptians were obsessed with death.  All their lives they were supposedly preparing for their death.  The Egyptian Book of the Dead provided spells and how you were  to be judged in the afterlife.  First, your heart was weighed by Ka.  If the heart was lighter than the feather, then the person was let into paradise and eternal life.  For those who had a heavy heart, then you were doomed.  It seems like a hard way to put your soul to rest, but the Egyptian rituals had an effect on the world at that time in history and are still learned about today.

The Greeks held funerals for their dead and buried them underground.  The spirit left the body as puff of smoke.  Hades was the god of the underworld and your soul was meant to stay with him.

The Egyptians were more worried about afterlife than the Greeks.   

Exam: Part 2

View Agricultural Revolution Map in a larger map The agricultural revolution was important because it was the start of permanent settlement, growing crops, creating jobs, and the start of an economy. Once people started to settling down and growing food, that was an opening to create work.  Jobs were created to make things, harvest things, and use natural resources to cure disease.  This was the opening of bartering and trade, but later became the exchange of money.  More people settled in the same place in order to exchange services and goods for survival.  As more technology became accessible these communities grew bigger and then developed into states, provinces, or countries.

Map: see above

Article:
Washington D.C.- Capitol Hill is desolate.  The streets are barren.  No one dares to waste energy because of the food shortage.  The agricultural system has fallen.  Jobs and resources are scarce.  Money has become tight.  The president hasn't gotten any sleep for the past two days.  On June 6 2222, our American president announced that our agricultural system has broken down.  There is no more money to transport food that has been grown.  The people are moving around, looking for states that offer more crops.  Millions of jobs have been lost and there is no way to reverse the damage done.

The neolithic period was a time when the agricultural system was blossoming but now it has been broken down into nothing.  A statement from the White House will be released soon. For now, we are all on standby.    

Exam: Part 1

Chat: http://todaysmeet.com/jcwestcivfungroup

Battle Maps

Battle of Cannae:

Battle of Zamba:

Worst Jobs In History

I think that the worst job in middle ages history is to be a leech collector.  When there was no cure for illness people would have the leeches suck their blood.  It was said that while the leech drained the blood that the disease would leave.  The leech collectors would walk to the marsh and stir up the water in order to catch the worm.  Then they would take the leeches back to town for the people who were sick.  I think that this a terrible job because you would constantly have leeches stuck to your body!  What if the leech was carrying bacteria that made someone even more sick?  I would think this job is really unsanitary.  I wonder who would ever choose this job!  Honestly, I don't you could pay me enough money to collect a blood-sucking worm.

Story Book Project

http://storybird.com/books/the-trials-and-triumphs-of-daenaria-the-princess/

Partner- Erika Lipford

A Freshman Year to Remember

Amanda Spaeth walked through the doors of John Carroll feeling nervous and exited.  She knew it would it would be a year to remember.  At first John Carroll seemed liked a big maze, there was only one way in and out.  Many of Amanda's new teachers seemed intimidating by presenting her and her fellow classmates with new challenges.  Amanda felt compelled to excel in every class by giving it her all.  Over the course of the year, Amanda made new friends, read some Shakespeare, and met many new friends.  Her eyes were opened to the world during human geography and western civilization.  Amanda learned also learned the basics of the German language and continues to learn it until she graduates.  Memories were made in the joyful atmosphere of English class.  Science and math may not have been her strongest areas in school, but Amanda tried the best she could.  Religion class made Amanda think about how wonderful God is and all gifts he has given to the world.  Not only did she learn a lot, but Amanda played multiple sports this year.  Amanda ran cross country in the fall and ended up making varsity as a freshman.  She swam laps in the pool in the winter and made strides across the track this spring.  Amanda met a lot of people who have changed her life for the better.  Her teachers will always have a special place in her heart despite the insane projects she was assigned.  It was a year of fun, amazing freshman year full of achievements.  Amanda plans to continue her legacy at John Carroll… if she lives to pass final exams!       

Final Essay: The Culture of the Middle Ages

Question: Why is it so important to understand _ [i.e. the topic of your expert group] if one is to really understand the culture of the Middle Ages?

The Middle Ages was a time in history that introduced massive changes, especially when the Catholic Church was involved.  There were social changes, worldwide conflict, and an illness called the Bubonic Plague that killed millions.  Some leaders rose to high power and were looked up to, others went down in infamy.  There were brilliant philosophers for the Catholic Church and their teachings are still used today.  Some rebellions broke out and it was the start of reformation.  It is important to understand the culture of the Middle Ages because it features the philosophy and theology of Thomas Aquinas and how it influenced the Catholic Church.

The Middle Ages lasted from 1154 to 1485 AD.  “Although the Germanic tribes that forcibly migrated into southern and western Europe in the 5th century were ultimately converted to Christianity, they retained many of their customs and ways of life; the changes in forms of social organization they introduced rendered centralized government and cultural unity impossible.” (History Channel 1996-2011) There was a big conversion of Germanic tribes to the Catholic faith.  This movement was a prominent event during the Middle Ages.  This mean that the Catholic faith was continually spread throughout the known world.  Even after the Germanic tribes became a part of the Catholic Church, they still kept their culture alive by respecting the ancient rituals.

Philosophy was also very important to the culture especially regarding religion. “The greatest work of Thomas was the Summa, and it is the fullest presentation of his views.”  (Thomas Aquinas, 2009) Saint Thomas Aquinas was a great thinker for the Catholic Church.  He had many new insights to contribute to the church.  His most important writings were about God and how to conduct a relationship with him.  He blended Greek philosophy and the church doctrine to form his theories.  Even today, Thomas Aquinas’s writings still have an impact on the church.

Towards the late Middle Ages, the church faced a lot of hardships.  “The church and its leading institution, the papacy, like the monarchy so strong in the 12th and early 13th centuries, also became weak and disorganized in the later Middle Ages.”  The church went through many years of difficult changes and decisions in order to organize its system.  The Catholic faith went through a huge reform in order to please the members of the church.  Unfortunately, some important faces of the church decided to break away and form different faiths the way they thought things should be preached.  The church was still a stronghold for many, but some found it hard to the faith while the papacy was falling apart at the seams.  

The Catholic faith became very popular during Middle Ages because it was a part of almost every person’s life.  The philosophers of the Catholic Church had a huge impact because they expressed their opinions of the teachings of the popes and bishops.  Thomas Aquinas was a major figure for the church because his views on the doctrine were different and foreign to Catholics.  The early Middle Ages had one of the biggest impacts on the church because of the rapid spread of the faith because it was a legal religious practice.

Works Cited

The middle ages. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages 

Overview: the middle ages. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/overview_middleages_01.shtml

Thomas aquinas. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/aquinas/

Rough Draft Essay: The Culture of the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages were a time in history that introduced massive changes, especially involving the Catholic Church.  There were social changes, worldwide conflict, and an illness that killed millions.  Some leaders rose to high power and were looked up to, others went down in infamy.  Hostility between countries started wars that lasted for years and some it also resulted in the conquering of land.  Rebellions broke out and it was the start of reformation.  People do not need to understand the culture of the Middle Ages.  It is important to understand the culture of the Middle Ages because it features the philosophy and theology of Thomas Aquinas and how it influenced the Catholic Church.

The Middle Ages lasted from 1154 to 1485 AD.  “Although the Germanic tribes that forcibly migrated into southern and western Europe in the 5th century were ultimately converted to Christianity, they retained many of their customs and ways of life; the changes in forms of social organization they introduced rendered centralized government and cultural unity impossible.” (History Channel 1996-2011) There was a big conversion of Germanic tribes to the Catholic faith.  This movement was a prominent event during the Middle Ages.  The Catholic faith was continually spread throughout the known world.  Even after the Germanic tribes became members of the Catholic Church, they still kept their culture alive by respecting the ancient rituals.

Philosophy was also very important to the culture especially regarding religion. “The greatest work of Thomas was the Summa, and it is the fullest presentation of his views.”  (Thomas Aquinas, 2009) Saint Thomas Aquinas was a great thinker for the Catholic Church.  He had many new insights to contribute to the church.  His most important writings were about God and how to conduct a relationship with him.  Even today, Thomas Aquinas’s writings still have an impact on the church.

During the late Middle Ages, the church faced a lot of hardships.  “The church and its leading institution, the papacy, like the monarchy so strong in the 12th and early 13th centuries, also became weak and disorganised in the later Middle Ages.”  The church went through many years of difficult changes and decisions in order to organize the system.  The church went through a huge reform in order to please the members of the church.  Unfortunately, some people of the church decided to break away and form different faiths.  Even through hard times, the church was still a stronghold for many.

It was important to understand that the Catholic Church was popular during Middle Ages because it was a part of almost every person’s life.  The philosophers of the Catholic Church had a huge impact because they refined the teachings of the popes and bishops.  Thomas Aquinas was a major figure for the church because he expressed his views on the way Catholics should conduct their lives.  The early Middle Ages caused the conversion of the Catholic Church to soar and influence the culture into a holy state.

Works Cited

The middle ages. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages

Overview: the middle ages. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/overview_middleages_01.shtml

Thomas aquinas. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/aquinas/

Final Essay: Romanesque VS. Gothic Architecture

Architecture has always been a major form of art.  It has been used to express culture and wealth of a society.  The Romanesque architecture was represented as protective and sturdy to withstand any attack.  Gothic architecture was shed a new light on the world, especially when it came to expressing art through the Catholic Church.  The structures were beautifully made and offered the light to be shared. The spread of Christianity had an influence on the world, especially on Romanesque and Gothic architecture; it expresses how the people preached and prayed to God.

Romanesque architecture started around the ninth century and ended during the eleventh century.  The structures were designed to keep people safe and in solitude during prayer.  The thick walls drove unwanted forces away and gave the people inside a sense of comfort.  The Gothic walls were designed to be thinner, so windows could be built and allowed light to shine.  Figure 1, the St. George rotunde, is an example of the sturdy, thick walls that kept the people inside its walls sheltered.  Figure 2, St. Denis Chorumgang, is an example of the change in structure of the cathedrals.  The stain glass windows and columns were new and added beauty to the house of worship.  Romanesque churches did not have windows on the first floor because there was a risk of people invading. The people who prayed within the walls were looking for confinement.  The change in design of the cathedrals allowed more light to shine on those who prayed to the Lord.  During the eleventh century, a large number of churches increased all across Europe, and that was the start of the new idea to put more time and effort into building a holy place for worship.

As Europe began its reformation, more money was available.  Figure 3 (St. Andrew's Church) was built during the Romanesque period and was mainly composed of brick and wood.  Figure 4 (Cathédrale de Reims) can be viewed as looking very detailed and expensive.  The stain glass windows were a new addition because the church had a bigger budget.  The columns support the ceiling and arches.  The walls are visibly thinner unlike the Romanesque church.  The brick walls of St. Andrews offered tended to those who wanted to pray by eliminating the outside world.  The Gothic cathedrals represented the change in the economic situation and allowed more opportunities for the church to improve their houses dedicated to God.

The spread of Christianity soon overtook Europe and polytheism was soon forgotten.  After the Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ, more people wanted to learn more about God.  The church was the center of the community where everyone came together for a common purpose.  The Maria Lach (figure5) is a more detailed Romanesque church that was later designed for more space for the congregation of the church.  The Notre Dame Cathedral (figure 6) shows that the church had grown far and wide and more people were seeking to worship the Lord in a holy, sacred place.  Each cathedral drew the community grew people closer together.  The bishop ordered the construction of Notre Dame in the mid eleventh century, but it took decades to build.  Still standing today, the church draws people far and wide to admire its beauty.  Every church has a common purpose and is used daily.

In conclusion, churches have been around for centuries but the design of each one is different.  The Romanesque churches were built with thick to keep enemies out and were a place of solitude.  The Gothic cathedrals were beautifully crafted and let the light of God shine into the church.  A modern example of how Gothic architecture still has an impact on the world is the Loyola University chapel in Baltimore.  Art has evolved and changed for the Catholic Church, but the love for God remains the same.

Appendix

Figure #1-Saint George, rotude http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rotunde-of-St.-George-at-Rip.jpeg , photograph take June 8, 2005

Figure #2- St. Denis Chorumgang, interior, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:StDenis_Chorumgang.JPG, photograph taken April 29, 2005

Figure #3-St. Andrew's church, façade, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Andrew%27s_church_facade_(Krak%C3%B3w,_Poland).jpg , photograph taken April 7, 2006 

Figure #4-Cathedrale de Reims, interior, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cath%C3%A9drale_de_Reims_int%C3%A9rieur.jpg, photograph taken March 18, 2007 

Figure #5-Maria Lach, cathedral http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Lach_02.jpg, photograph taken April 28, 2008

Figure #6-Notre Dame, cathedral http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:060806-France-Paris-Notre_Dame.jpg, photograph taken August 6, 2006

Rough Draft Essay: Roman VS. Gothic Architecture

Architecture has always been a major form of art.  It has been used to express culture and wealth of a society.  The Romanesque architecture was represented as solitude for prayer and protection.  Gothic architecture was shed a new light on the world.  The structures were beautifully made and offered the light to be shared.  Roman and Gothic architecture can be viewed a revolutions in building and art.  The spread of Christianity had an influence on the world, especially on Roman and Gothic architecture; it expresses how the people preached and prayed to God.

Romanesque architecture started around the ninth century and ended during the eleventh century.  The structures were designed to keep people safe and in solitude.  The thick walls drove unwanted forces away and gave the people inside a sense of solitude.  The Gothic walls were designed to be thinner, so windows could be built.  Figure 1 is an example of the sturdy, thick walls that kept the people inside its walls safe.  Figure 2 is an example of the change in the structure of the cathedral and allows sunlight to shine within the building.  Romanesque churches did not have windows on the first floor because there was a risk of people invading and the people who prayed were looking for confinement.  The Gothic cathedrals, however, had special stain glass window designs and the walls were thinner in order to install them.  This change in the looks of churches allowed more light to shine on those who prayed to the Lord.  During the eleventh century, a large number of churches in creased all across Europe, and that was the start of the new idea to put more time and effort into building a holy place for worship.

As Europe began its reformation, more money was available.  Figure 3 was built during the Romanesque period and was mainly composed of brick and wood.  Figure 4 can be viewed as looking very detailed and expensive.  The stain glass windows represent God’s light shining down upon his people.  The columns support the ceiling and arches.  The walls are visibly thinner unlike the Romanesque church.  The brick walls offered safety for those who wanted to reflect and pray eliminating the outside world.  The Gothic cathedrals represented the change in the economic situation and allowed more opportunities for the church to improve their churches.

The spread of Christianity soon overtook Europe and polytheism was soon forgotten.  One the Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ, more people wanted to learn more about God.  The church was the center of the community where everyone came together for a common purpose.  Figure 5 is a more detailed Romanesque church that was later designed for more space for the congregation of the church.  Figure 6 shows that the church had grown far and wide and more people were seeking to worship the Lord in the holiest, sacred place.  Each cathedral drew the community close and grew people closer together.  The bishop order the construction of Notre Dame in the mid eleventh century, but it took years to build.  Still standing today, the church draws people far and wide to admire its beauty.  Every church is meant to be a place to worship God and learn from his teachings.

In conclusion, every church was built for a common purpose but had different design and architectural structure.  The Romanesque churches were sturdy, thick, and were a place of solitude.  The Gothic cathedrals were beautifully crafted and let the light of God shine into the church.  A modern example of how Gothic architecture still has an impact on the world is the Loyola University chapel.  Art has evolved and changed for the Catholic church, but the love for God remains the same. 

1. Figure #1-rotude of Saint George,  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rotunde-of-St.-George-at-Rip.jpeg
2. Figure #2- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:StDenis_Chorumgang.JPG
3. Figure #3- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Andrew%27s_church_facade_(Krak%C3%B3w,_Poland).jpg
4. Figure #4- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cath%C3%A9drale_de_Reims_int%C3%A9rieur.jpg

5. Figure #5- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maria_Lach_02.jpg

6. Figure #6- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:060806-France-Paris-Notre_Dame.jpg

  

       

The "Fall" of the Roman Empire

Question:  Did the Roman Empire 'decline and fall' or did it evolve into something new?

The Roman Empire had been in its glory for a long time. They had conquered most of the known world and became a wealthy and diverse empire.  The Romans were masters of the trade routes and trained an army to be ready to fight any time, any place.  There were many rulers whom the people loved and praised.  The others were hated until they left the office or assassinated.  After the Roman Empire split into the east and west, things started to decline.  The “decline” of the empire was about a 320 year period.  Rome was not politically unified and the Eastern Roman Empire started to gain more power.  These changes influenced the different groups of people to evolve into something new.  Parts of the Roman Empire itself declined while others developed into something new. 

The Roman government went through a lot of hard times.  There were years of good and bad emperors.  For example, the crisis of the third century tested Rome to its limits as the rulers almost caused Rome to fall apart at the seams.  “The Romans had dealt with all of these in the past and survived. The trouble was that in the third century many problems surfaced at the same time, some of them on a grander scale than ever before, and they proved more difficult to eradicate.” (BBC History, 2011) After Diocletian took the throne, he took part in a plan that he thought would help control the amount of power one ruler has.  The development of the tetrarchy pulled the empire farther and farther apart.  The four main rulers of the empire all fought for power.  This caused the Roman Empire to split in to two major parts and the move of the capital.  Constantine won the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and in return, made Christianity legal.  He also moved the capital to Constantinople, which is present day Istanbul.  This was the rise of the Greek speaking Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantine Empire.

After the practice of Christianity was legalized, people were more outright with their faith. “Thereafter, Christians were tolerated at best—but often tortured or killed—until the reign of Constantine I (312–337). In 313 an edict of toleration for all religions was issued, and from about 320 Christianity was favoured by the Roman state rather than persecuted by it.” (1994-2009 Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.) Before Constantine made Christianity legal, people practiced the faith in secret.  The Romans persecuted the Christians and died for their faith, making them martyrs.  The Romans did not like the Christians because they would not pay their tribute to the Roman gods.  This angered the Romans and caused many disputes.  Constantine saw the sign of the Ki Ro in the sky the morning of the battle and made his men write the symbol on their shields.  He wanted to thank the Lord for winning the battle and let anyone practice the Christian faith.  This caused more people to convert to the faith and it soon became a popular, worldwide religion.

Many different kings tried to rule the “empire” all at once.  “Since the Crisis of the Third Century, the Empire was intermittently ruled by more than one emperor at once (usually two), presiding over different regions.” (Wikipedia, 2011) Rebellions and armies were unorganized and there was a lot of miscommunication.  The Huns were headed to invade Gual but the efforts of the Roman and Germanic forces stopped them.  Battles between tribes were occurring everywhere and after 476 AD, Rome was under a barbaric rule.  There was no control for the Western Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire flourished and created a name for itself for a while.  After eras of bad rulers and battles, the empire faded and other places started advancing into something new.  The spread of Christianity was a major turning point for the world because it started advancement in new empires or nations.  Many powerful men taught they could rule and were thirsting for power.  Tribes of people soon became “empires” of their own.  The world is constantly evolving and the Roman Empire was ready for a new change.  The development of countries and nations shaped Europe into what it is today.

Works Cited:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roman_Empire       

http://www.history.com/topics/roman-empire

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/thirdcenturycrisis_article_01.shtml

    

The Fall of the Roman Empire

Question:  Did the Roman Empire 'decline and fall' or did it evolve into something new?

The Roman Empire had been in its glory for a long time. They had conquered most of the known world and became a wealthy and diverse empire.  The Romans were masters of the trade routes and trained an army to be ready to fight any time, any place.  There were many rulers whom the people loved and praised.  The others were hated until they left the office or assassinated.  After the Roman Empire split into the east and west, things started to decline.  The “decline” of the empire was about a 320 year period.  Rome was not politically unified and the Eastern Roman Empire started to gain more power.  These changes influenced the different groups of people to evolve into something new.  Parts of the Roman Empire itself declined while others developed into something new. 

The Roman government went through a lot of hard times.  There were years of good and bad emperors.  For example, the crisis of the third century tested Rome to its limits as the rulers almost caused Rome to fall apart at the seams.  After Diocletian took the throne, he took part in a plan that he thought would help control the amount of power one ruler has.  The development of the tetrarchy pulled the empire farther and farther apart.  The four main rulers of the empire all fought for power.  This caused the Roman Empire to split in to two major parts and the move of the capital.  Constantine won the Battle of the Milvian Bridge and in return, made Christianity legal.  He also moved the capital to Constantinople, which is present day Istanbul.  This was the rise of the Greek speaking Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantine Empire.

After the practice of Christianity was legalized, people were more outright with their faith.  Before Constantine made it legal, Christians practiced their faith in secret.  The Romans persecuted the Christians and died for their faith.  The Romans did not like the Christians because they would not pay their share to the Roman gods.  This angered the Romans and caused many disputes.  Constantine saw the sign of the Ki Ro in the sky the morning of the battle and made his men write the symbol on their shields.  He wanted to thank the Lord for winning the battle and let anyone practice the Christian faith.  This caused more people to convert to the faith and it soon became a popular, worldwide religion.

Many different kings ruled the Western Roman Empire all at once.  Rebellions and armies were unorganized and there was a lot of miscommunication.  The Huns were headed to invade Gual but the efforts of the Roman and Germanic forces stopped them.  Battles between tribes were occurring everywhere and after 476 AD, Rome was under a barbaric rule.  There was no control for the Western Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire flourished and created a name for itself for a while.  After eras of bad rulers and battles, the empire faded and other places started advancing into something new.  The spread of Christianity was a major turning point for the world because it started advancement in new empires or nations.  Many powerful men taught they could rule and were thirsting for power.  Tribes of people soon became “empires” of their own.  The world is constantly evolving and the Roman Empire was ready for a new change.  The development of countries and nations shaped Europe into what it is today.

Works Cited:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roman_Empire