Did Rome Really ‘Fall’?

What Constitutes the Roman Empire? WREERE Physical Location City of Rome, Italy, Western Europe Constantinople, Greece, Eastern Europe Culture LatinGreek Language LatinGreek Religion Roman CatholicismEastern Orthodoxy Government Empire with Republican Traditions One Emperor, God’s Representative on Earth

Historiography – What is it? Historiography is a methodology for studying history. Historians do not always agree upon why events occurred, or how to interpret them. Roman historians differ as to the extent to which the “Dark Ages” were actually all that dark, and how much Rome’s collapse impacted the people at that time.

Argument #1 – Rome Simply Transformed When Germanic tribes took over Roman territory, the landscape of the Western Roman Empire changed, but was not a drastic “fall” or “collapse.” Goths became tolerant, since they were Arian Christians and the majority of the population was Nicene Christians. Franks took over the mantle of “Roman Emperor” as defenders of Nicene Christianity. Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, continued to exist until 1453 CE. Local bishops filled power vacuum and provided colorful artwork, great theological tracts, preserved Latin texts, and acted as mediators between the people and secular lords.

Map of Europe, c. 500 CE Madonna and the Christ Child, from the Book of Kells

Argument #2 – Rome Fell and it was a loss for Europe Economy and international trade decreases remarkably: Uniform Roman pottery is gone for 800 years after 476 CE. Pollution levels from copper, silver, and iron production decline significantly and do not peak again until the 17 th century. Mediterranean goods are not longer found in Western Europe – certain wines become very rare. Literacy is on the decline and not valued as much (even Charlemagne, a great Frankish king, supposedly struggled with simple words). Cattle size decreases to prehistoric levels. Poems and saints’ lives speak of horror, strife, and conflict.

Unit Question – Were the “Dark Ages” Really All That “Dark”? When you think about “The Dark Ages,” what comes to your mind? This week, we will examine our previously-held beliefs about this time period, as well as two historical perspectives about Early Medieval Europe (i.e., the Dark Ages) Culture/CivilizationLife & Society

What You Will Be Doing This Week This unit will focus on the Early Middle Ages (c CE) and the culture, society, and technology of this time period. You will be asked to make a historical argument as to whether the Roman Empire’s ‘fall’ meant that Western Europe transformed into what’s now known as the “Dark Ages” (because of a lack of civilization and an increase in warfare), OR if this simply meant a transformation to a different type of world for the people living at this time. At the end of the unit, you will present your arguments in groups, using primary and secondary source research to back up your position.