Late Roman Empire Flashcards
What was the Pax Romana?
A time of economic growth and flourishing in rome
Dates for pax romana
27 to180
describe the last great emperor, whose death marked the end of the pax Romana
name? known for?accomplishments?
Marcus Auralius; known for writing meditations; was a stoic philosopher; fought the Germans; very just
When was the Roman Tetrarchy first formed and why?
Formed 293, as a solution to the unstable succession of Roman Emperors and also because the rule of leadership was getting too heavy for Diocletian.
Describe in as much detail as you can the Diocletonic Persecution. What characteristics of the Christians provoked it?
It was the las and greatest Christian persecution, constricting Christian’s rights. Churches were destroyed and Christians who refused to worship the Roman gods were killed. The Christians were hated because they angered the Roman gods, Converted important people, and upset the uniformed religion in Rome.
When was the Diocletonic persecution?
303-305
What are the events leading up to the Battle of Milvian Bridge, starting with Maxentius’s overthrow of Emperor Flavius to his death in the Tiber (very long answer)
Maxentius overthrows Flavius Severus but his father, Maximian, overthrows him. Maximian is driven to Gaul and takes his own life b/c of Constantine. Maxentius, who wants to avenge his father’s death, allies with Maximinus Daia, who sends him troops to take Constantine’s power in the W. Maxentius takes Rome and Galerius dies, while Constantine allies with licinius. The tetrarchy is set again, but is destroyed in the battle of Milvian ridge where max Daia dies militarily and Maxentius drowns in the Tiber
When is the battle of milvian bridge
312
What was the Edict of Milan and why was it so important from a religious standpoint?
It was a proclamation allowing all religions to practice in the Roman empire. Groundbreaking b/c it shows that the Romans are submitting to the God
When was the Roman Tetrarchy formed?
293
Diocletonic Persecution year
303-305
Describe Diocletonic persecution and why the Christians provoked it?
It was the last and greatest Christian persecution, constricting Christians rights, where churches were torn down, and Christians who did not worship Roman gods were killed. They were hated because their religion unsettled the gods, they converted important people, and upset the uniformed religion already in Rome
Main events leading up to Battle of Milvian bridge
Maxentius overthrows Severus, but his father Maximian overthrows him. Maximian is driven to Gaul and takes his own life because of Constantine. Maxentius, who wants to avenge his father’s death, allies with Maximinus Daia, who sends him troops to take Constantine’s power in the W. Maxentius takes Rome, and Galerius dies, while Constantine allies with Licinius. The tetrarchy is set again, but is destroyed in the battle of Milvian bridge, where max Daia dies militarily and Maxentius drowns in the Tiber
year of battle of Milvian bridge
312
What was the Edict of Milan? why was it so ground-breaking from a religious standpoint
The proclamation that allowed the prescience of any religion in Rome-especially Christianity It as important for the Christians b/c the persecutions stopped, and was groundbreaking b/c it shows that the Romans are acknowledging to the higher God
When was the Edict of Milan
313
Main tenets of Arian heresy
Christ was not divine, not man, was created, and was a higher being than the angels
How was the Arian heresy defeated theologically at the council of Nicaea?
Idea of Homousius (1 substance with 2 natures), and Homoiouslius (similar substance
when was council of nicaea?
325
How many Christians were supposedly stil Arian after the Council of Nicaea? How was the stated of Christianity at the time revealed in the manner of Constantines death bed baptism.
3/4 to 90% of Christians-many were forced to convert. Constantine was baptized by an Arion bishop
How was Emperor Constanius II rule over religious affairs during his time?
He allowed both Arian and orthodox religion, and also persecuted pagans-outlaws paganism and closes their temples
What lead up to the rule of Julian the Apostate? What were his religious policies and how did he die?
Constantius killed Julian’s father, which made him angry at Christians. Constantius gets sick and lets Julian take the throne. He persecuted Christians by instituting pagan hospitals, tried to rebuild Jewish temple, prohibited Christians from teaching. Died b/c he thought he was a god and went into a battle with no armor
What major edict was promulgated by Theodosius I?
Edict of Thessalonica
When was the edict of Thessalonica?
380
