Transformations in the Roman Empire

Transformations in the Roman Empire

Late Antiquity was characterized by the fall of the Roman Empire. The developments were triggered following the adoption of Christianity as the main religion. Christians led anti-civil movements, leading to reduced power for civil leaders.

Religious Affiliation and the Roman State

The Roman State gravitated toward Christianity around 300 CE. In 313 CE, the emperor Constantine issued an order offering Christianity and other religious affiliations their official legal status (Opoku 21). However, the move did not completely eradicate the traditional Roman State practices. Further, in 325, the emperor of Constantine held another council meeting in which they were to discuss and agree on what form of Christianity they would pursue (Opoku 24). Subsequently, the Council agreed that they would practice the Nicene Creed, which laid down principles of beliefs the Roman State would align with.

Later, around 380 CE, emperor Theodosius issued an order that made Christianity, particularly Nicene Christianity, an official and dominant Roman Empire and state religion. The state implemented actions that would make Christianity the only religion in the Roman Empire (Whelan 3). Some of the steps implemented to weaken other religions include confiscating their property and taking away their legal status. Afterward, Christianity started enjoying privileged status and became deeply embedded in the Roman Empire’s power structures.

The Political Situation in Various Regions of the Roman Empire

Following Christianity’s elevation in society, a revolution started, and Christians started opposing civil power. The revolution was characterized by the disobedience of state officials. Christians enjoyed state protection and were legally recognized. Also, there was an attempt to incorporate Christian values into the governance framework to override prior civil values. The period was characterized by political turmoil and the assassination of senior leaders. Besides, the emergence of the Western Roman Empire, which thrived but later led to its unraveling and subsequent collapse in the 500s CE, occurred.

According to Opoku, Emperor Constantine’s actions around 300 CE to 400 CE indicate efforts to increase tolerance throughout the Empire through political and religious interventions (20). For instance, by making Christianity the official religion in the Empire, the people would now directly determine their political fate based on their values. For instance, the emperor was considered to be a god before Christianity was deeply embedded in society. However, once Christianity became the main religion and was legally recognized, people changed their perception about the emperor being a god as they now believed in one spiritual God. These developments made the emperor lose authority as people started believing their spiritual leaders more.

The Religious/Political Situation in Persia and the Eastern Mediterranean

Following the fall of the Parthian Empire, the Persian Power and culture rose tremendously. The period was also characterized by power transitions (The fall of the Roman Empire). Another notable transition during the period in Persia is that Persian rulers began attacking neighboring over territorial ambitions. On the other hand, a significant transition for the Eastern Mediterranean was the adoption of Christianity as the main religion.

Conclusion

Overall, adopting Christianity marked the beginning of the fall of the Roman Empire. There was a revolution between original Roman values and what civil leaders believed. Similar circumstances occurred in Persia and the Eastern Mediterranean as Christianity took a Central role. Another notable development is the growing ambition to secure more territory.

Works Cited

“The Fall of the Roman Empire.” Ushistory.Org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/civ/6f.asp. Accessed 23 Feb. 2024.

Opoku, Francis. “Constantine and Christianity: The formation of church/state relations in the Roman Empire.” Ilorin journal of religious studies 5.1 (2015): 17–34.

Whelan, Robin. “Mirrors for Bureaucrats: Expectations of Christian Officials in the Theodosian Empire.” Journal of Roman Studies, vol. 108, 20 Mar. 2018, pp. 74–98, https://doi.org/10.1017/s0075435818000254. Accessed 18 Feb. 2022.

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Sometime around the year 300CE, the “classical world” of Ancient Greece and Rome started to transition into something new and strange, which historians often refer to as “Late Antiquity.” In your essay this week, I want you to summarize transitions in the following areas:

Transformations in the Roman Empire

a. The religious affiliation of the Roman State (government)

b. The political situation in various regions of the Roman Empire

c. The religious/political situation in Persia and the Eastern Mediterranean

You must cite the readings posted to Canvas and the textbook in your answers.