Unit 4 covers the era in European history after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the East, the Byzantine Empire was a wealthy and powerful center for trade. During the reign of Emperor Justinian, the Byzantines developed an important law code (the Justinian Code), extended its territory, promoted learning, and preserved Greco-Roman culture. Difference between Christians in Eastern and Western Europe divided the Christian Church into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox denominations. In sharp contrast to the Byzantine Empire, Western Europe descended into the Middle Ages. There was little trade, learning, or cultural achievements during these “Dark Ages.” Society was controlled by feudal system in which peasants worked for noble lords in exchange for protection and access to farm land. The Catholic Church played an important role played a unifying force that guided peoples’ daily lives.

  1. • What happens to Eastern Europe after the fall of Rome?

  2. • What about Western Europe?

  3. • What happens to Christianity?

  • After the Pax Romana, the Roman Empire entered an era of decline

  • The Roman Empire had a series of weak emperors

  • Romans had a large trade imbalance (they bought more than they produced)

  • As Rome grew more in debt, the military became weak & began using foreign mercenary soldiers

  • Emperor Diocletian tried to save Rome by dividing the empire

  • Emperor Constantine moved the Roman capital to Constantinople in the Eastern Roman Empire

The Western Roman Empire continued to grow weak

Which Roman emperor is known for dividing the Roman Empire into the Western and Eastern Empires?

A) Julius Caesar

B) Augustus

C) Diocletian

D) Constantine

Select all that are reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire:

A series of weak empires

Trade imbalance

Debt

Weak military

Barbarian invasions

While the Western Roman Empire was in decline

  • The Eastern Roman Empire remained strong

The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire

  • Constantinople was a wealthy trade city located between the Mediterranean & Black Seas

  • Citizens in the Byzantine Empire thought of themselves as Romans & they shared some similarities with the Roman Empire:

  • The Byzantine Empire kept alive Greco-Roman culture

  • Constantinople was a center for learning where schools taught philosophy, medicine, Greek and Latin grammar, geometry