1. THE FALL OF ANCIENT ROME AND THE RISE OF THE MIDDLE AGES

2. Ancient Rome  Polytheistic: Believe in many Gods  Julius Caesar: First in a long line of Roman Emperors  Octavian Augustus: Emperor as Rome enters the Pax Romana – a time of relative peace and unity

3. Christianity  Jesus Christ: Talks to everyone about the promise of eternal life to all if they love God, their neighbors and themselves  Peter: The “rock” on which the Church will be built  Paul: Messenger who preaches and spreads the beliefs of Jesus

4. Christianity  Pontius Pilate: Sentences Jesus to death because he is a threat to the Roman Empire  Nero: Roman Emperor who persecutes Christians  Constantine: Roman Emperor who stops persecution and issues the Edict of Milan which declares Christianity the “official” religion of the Roman Empire. He moves the capital to Constantinople which leaves the Western Roman Empire vulnerable to attack.

5. The Middle Ages  Monotheistic: Believe in one God  Germanic Tribes: Invade the Western Roman Empire and disrupt trade and weaken cities  Charlemagne: Spreads Christianity through his conquests and builds an Empire that crumbles upon his death