Pax Romana and the Decline of the Roman Empire

Pax Romana

• A 200-year period (27 BCE–180 CE) of relative peace and stability in the Roman Empire.
• Key leaders included Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, Trajan, and Hadrian.
• Achieved through military strength and imperial control, though some regions experienced oppression.

Decline of Rome

• Declined slowly due to internal weaknesses and external pressures, leading to the fall in 476 CE
• Contributing factors included political instability, economic troubles like inflation and reliance on slave labor, and military issues.
• Invasions by Germanic tribes (Visigoths, Vandals) and overexpansion also contributed to Rome's decline.

Division of the Empire

• In 285 CE, Emperor Diocletian divided the empire into East and West for easier governance.
• The Eastern half became the Byzantine Empire.

Lasting Legacies and Accomplishments

• Roman legal code influenced law.
• Roman architecture included aqueducts, roads, and the Colosseum.
• Latin roots are found in modern Romance languages.
• Republicanism and the Senate are government ideas.

Byzantine Empire: Importance of Geography

• Constantinople's location between Europe and Asia controlled trade routes.

Division of Eastern and Western Rome

• Began under Diocletian; solidified after the fall of Western Rome in 476 CE.
• The East (Byzantine Empire) thrived for nearly 1,000 more years.

Separation of Christianity

• The Great Schism in 1054 divided Christianity into Roman Catholicism (West) and Eastern Orthodoxy (East).
• Disputes occurred over leadership, language (Latin vs. Greek), and religious practices.

Accomplishments and Successes

• Preservation of Greek and Roman knowledge.
• Flourishing art and architecture (e.g., Hagia Sophia).
• Strong central government and military.

Emperor Justinian

• Ruled 527–565 CE.
• Created the Justinian Code (law system).
• Rebuilt Constantinople, including the Hagia Sophia.

Decline of the Empire

• Loss of territory to Arab and Turkish forces.
• Crusades weakened it (especially the 4th Crusade).
• Fell in 1453 CE to the Ottoman Turks.

Legacy

• Influenced European law, preserved classical knowledge, and shaped Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Islam: Muhammad and His Life

• Born in Mecca (570 CE), and received revelations from Allah via the angel Gabriel.
• Founded Islam; his teachings are in the Quran.
• Fled to Medina in the Hijra (622 CE), marking the start of the Islamic calendar.

Connection to Judaism and Christianity

• All are Abrahamic religions.
• Share belief in one God, prophets, and a moral code.
• Muhammad is considered the final prophet after Moses and Jesus.
• Unified much of Arabia under Islam.

Five Pillars of Islam

• Shahada: Declaration of faith.
• Salat: Prayer 5 times a day.
• Zakat: Giving to the poor.
• Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan.
• Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca.

Division of Sunni and Shia

• After Muhammad’s death, disagreement arose over his successor.
• Sunni: Believed in elected leaders (majority).
• Shia: Believed only Muhammad’s descendants (Ali’s line) could lead.

Spread of Islam

• Islam spread through trade, conquest, and missionaries.
• Quickly expanded across the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe, and Asia.