History 150

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History 150
The Decline of Rome and the Rise of Byzantium
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Outline
Gladiator History vs. Hollywood
The Decline of Rome
The Rise of Byzantium
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Gladiator
Themes/Questions
1) What is the nature of the relationship between
the Emperor and the Senate?
2) What kind of Emperor is Marcus Aurelius?
3) What kind of Emperor is/will Commodus be?
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History vs. Hollywood
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Hollywood
Marcus Aurelius was the only Emperor and was
murdered by Commodus
Senator Graccus attempts to help restore Rome to
a Republic
Commodus was a Gladiator
Commodus is killed in the Colosseum
Maximus was not Roman and wore the tattoo S.P.Q.R
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History
Marcus Aurelius co-ruled with Lucius Verus
(161-169 c.e.) and died of disease
Senator Graccus is a fictional character
Commodus did compete as a gladiator
Commodus was killed by one of his own Praetorian
Outsiders could sign up for the army in exchange
for Roman citizenship S.P.Q.R. stands for The
Senate and People of Rome
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The Colosseum
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Campidoglio Capital Hill
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The Decline of Rome
Why did the Western Empire Decline?
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The Rise of Byzantium
Why did the Eastern Empire survive?
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Marcus Aurelius

• Our history and the affairs of the Romans
  descend from an age of gold to one of iron and
  rust Cassius Dio Contemporary Historian
• Barbarian Invasion
• Economic Problems
• Use of Mercenaries in the Army

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Commodus

• Makes peace with Barbarians in 180 c.e.
• Megalomaniac
• 200 c.e. Trade Recession hit the Mediterranean
• Concentration of Power in the Emperor
• After Commodus dies 4 Emperors fight for throne

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Diocletian

• By 250 drastic inflation hit Rome
• Around 250 began to suffer military defeats
• Divided old provinces into two civil services
• 250 c.e. Fixed prices on goods

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Constantine

• Allowed pagan gold to flood market
• Built Constantinople in 330 c.e.
• Reversed Diocletians decision and re-united
  empire
• High interest rates
• 395 c.e. Empire splits
• 476 c.e. Fall of Rome/Romulus Augustulus

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Justinian

• Attempted to Retake old Roman Empire
• Not enough resources
• Last of the Roman Emperors
• Built Hagia Sophia
• Byzantine world

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Heraclius

• 610 c.e. Faced Persian Threat
• Exhausted both Persian and Byzantine Empires
• Barbarian Invasion
• Economic Problems
• Use of Mercenaries in the Army

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Map of the Roman Empire in 116 c.e.
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Map of the Roman Empire in 476 c.e.
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Timeline
Rule of Commodus (167-192 c.e.)
Empire Splits (395 c.e.)
Rule of Justinian (527-565 c.e.)
Fall of the Western Empire (476 c.c.)
Rule of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 c.e.)
Constantinople founded (330 c.e.)
100 c.e.
200 c.e.
300c.e.
400 c.e.
500 c.e.
600 c.e.
Rule of Diocletian (284-306 c.e.)
Rule of Constantine (306-37)
Rule of Heraclius (610-641 c.e.)
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The Shadow of Islam