Today in Western Civilization class we learned about how Christianity grew and how the roman emperor fell.
Christianity grew because it:
Embraced all people, Gave hope to the powerless, Appealed to those who were disgusted by the imperial Rome's decadence, offered a personal relationship with God, and promised eternal life after death.
The conversion of Constantine AD 312
Roman emperor Constantine had a vision before a key battle
Saw an image of a cross with the Words: "In this sign, Conquer"
Orders troops to put a cross on their shields, and they win the battle.
Edict of Milan in AD 313
Christianity become a religion that you can practice without being prosecuted.
Continues to strengthen, but as Christianity grows, Rome becomes weaker. By 380 Christianity is the Empire's Religion
Decline of Roman Empire.
Military- too weak to protect a huge area, Economy- Taxes are too high, keeps separating rich and poor.
Social- nobody cared about public affairs, disloyalty and population decline.
Political- division of the empire, Western and eastern, Western- Roman empire falls, but the eastern- Byzantine Empire does very well and lasts for a long time.
Last True Roman Emperor was a fourteen year old boy named Romulus Augustulus.