The World of Late Antiquity

1
The World of Late Antiquity 

• A Waning Empire

2
Thesis

• 1) The Roman Empire in the West gradually
  evolved into the Europe of the Germanic successor
  kingdoms. Although change was rapid in the fifth
  century, nowhere did a sharp break occur.
• 2) The concept of Rome was an important legacy
  which would be important to later generations,
  and in different periods the meaning and history
  of Rome would reflect the particular aims of
  those later generations.

3
Hollingsworths argument

• 1st 2nd Century Golden Age
• 3rd4th Centuries Anarchy Recovery
• The Crisis of the Third Century
• leadership crisis
• military crisis
• economic crisis
• social crisis
• religious crisis.

4
Strong Emperors Respond

• Diocletian (284-305 AD)
• Tetrarchy and division of the empire (Roman
  Provinces)
• defense in depth
• Edict of Prices
• Restoration of Civic Gods
• Constantine the Great (306-337 AD)
• Legitimating Ceremonial
•      Christianity Ruler by the Grace of God.
•      Constantinople

5
The Last Century of the Western Empire

• Germanic migrations
• Confusion of public and private
• Loss of an Army
• The Roman Heritage
• Towns
• Roman education and culture