The Fall of Rome & The Barbarians

Arguments made in the Mitchell Article Regarding Christianity and Women  Yes –Karen King – Women’s opinions mattered in Christanity - St. Paul makes note of women’s role (home churches) - Mary Magdalene is shown as a leader - Writings reflect women promoted to powerful positions. - Jesus’ teachings stressed equality  No—Lisa Boyer - Work performed by women was expected - Appearance of importance - Seen as Outlaws (women running house churches seen as questionable) - Church itself did not support women in leadership roles - Reduced to simple idea of good girl / bad girl (the idea of the 2 Mary’s)

Did the Rome Fall for Internal Reasons?  Yes—Antonio S. – Small army for empire of that size. Soldiers were 2 nd. – Farming reduced b/c of population reductions – Christianity put morals into heads. – Too Large – The idea of the Roman Citizen changed and started to mean less! Soldiers were not true Romans.  No—Peter Heather – The cost of Tribute – The shrinking land resulted in shrinking income. – Started to lose battles. – was a period of one invasion after another. No Break to recharge. – No society is perfect and all of Rome’s problems seemed to appear at once.

Reasons for Rome’s Fall in Nutshell.  Army – Spread out, too small, & too foreign  Money – Paying out more than taking in  Christianity – Citizens become more worried about something more than Rome  Population – Getting smaller with disease and less farming  Barbarians – Putting up numerous victories over the Romans.

Rome’s MOST WANTED!

The Goths  Germanic Tribe which lived in the Roman Empire.  In the 3 rd century, the Goths came into contact with the Roman Empire.  Original located in the eastern portion of the Roman Empire.

Goths  During the 3 rd century, the Goths split into 2 groups: The Visigoths (West) and Ostrogoths (East). – The Ostrogoths would come under control of the Huns.  Because of the Hunnish threat, the Visigoths requested Roman permission to move to the banks of the Danube River.  The Goth camp along the Danube experienced famine and War erupted. The Goths won a devastating victory over the Romans at Adrianople. – At this battle, the Roman Emperor Valens was killed 378 AD and so was 2/3rds of the Roman Army.

Goths  Valens – The Roman emperor faced two major problems that resulted in his death. To deny Goths into Roman territory would risk war. To grant Goth request to come to Danube would put major threat directly into empire.  Valens’ death proved that Rome was not invincible.

Goths  After Adrianople, Goths running wild in Roman Empire, but could never consolidate victories. – Theodosius reunited Roman empire and kept Goths at bay for a little while (ruled until 395)  In 410AD, the Goths under Alaric sacked Rome.  In 418 AD, the Visigoths were given land on the Iberian Peninsula (modern day Spain). Kingdom lasted until 711.

The Huns  The most legendary of the barbarians taking on the Roman Empire.  The were from central Asia, but moved into eastern Europe during the 4th century.

The Huns  Moved into conflict with the Roman Empire. – Forced Goths to move to the Danube and seek Roman assistance.  Excellent Horse and Bowmen.  Terrified various groups in Europe because seemed to come out of nowhere. – Collected tribute from numerous groups.

Attila AD  Gained great amount of tribute from Rome – Had many wives  Siege laid to places in the Roman Empire such as Constantinople and Balkans.  Attila started to gain representation as being brutal and feared. Gained the nickname “the scourge of God.” – Some people believe that Attila was a just and noble king and representation is just western propaganda.

Attila  Before 451, Attila mostly stayed in Eastern Europe collecting tribute, fighting Goths, and growing rich. – Then in 451 made the decision to attack western part of Roman Empire.  Attila got as far as Gaul (in modern day France) where he met an allied Roman and Goth army at the Battle of Chalons. – The Roman/Goth army turned the Huns back after a very bloody battle.  The Battle of Chalons did not stop Attila. After the Gaul invasion the Huns left and reorganized.

Attila in Italy  In 453, Attila invaded the heart of the Roman Empire, Italy.  Huns marched unopposed through Italy.  Attila marched until he reached the Po River, just short of Rome.  Just outside of Rome, Attila met with Pope Leo I. – After the meeting, Attila turned back to Hunnish Territory.

Leo I  Many reasons have been given why Leo I was able to have Attila turn back. – Some say St. Paul & Peter at meeting.  This encounter provided Christianity instant credibility because took on Empire’s greatest threat w/o weapons other than words.

True Reasons why Attila Turned Back  Plague weakened the Army.  Fear that Eastern Empire Armies coming.  Armies had to much tribute to carry back and Rome treasures would be too much.  If Roman Empire crushed and Rome destroyed, source of income eliminated.  TRUTH IS NO ONE KNOWS!

Death of Attila  Attila died in 453 AD while planning an invasion of the Eastern Empire to reclaim unpaid tribute.  His nose started bleeding in his sleep and he choked to death. – He was celebrating another marriage. One theory is the heavy drinking from celebration led to heavy internal bleeding.  The Huns Empire quickly dissolved after Attila’s death. Attila provided order. – Much internal fighting over his empire.

Vandals  Vandals – Germanic Tribe – Sacked Rome in 455AD for treasures (vandalism) Some historians say the end of the Western Empire. – Formed Kingdom in North Africa.

Barbarians Influence  Barbarians contributed to fall of Western Empire. – Lombards last invaders in 6 th century. Eastern Empire last until 1453 AD  Many “Barbarian” tribes would influence future Europe: – Huns (Hungary), Franks (France), & Anglo- Saxons (England) are examples.