Derek Jeong
@youngman102
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The Fall of Rome

History of Everything

The Transformation of Roman Religious and Political Authority

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The rise of Christianity as the official state religion of the Roman Empire constituted a fundamental shift in both religious and political domains. This transition undermined traditional Roman religious norms, particularly the divine status of the Emperor, who was viewed as a living God and the supreme religious authority. With Christianity promoting the belief in one God apart from the Emperor, it weakened the Emperor's moral and social authority, likely contributing to internal divisions within the empire. Additionally, the prevalent 'turn the other cheek' mentality associated with Christian teachings posed challenges to Roman militarization and recruitment for the army, potentially jeopardizing the empire's military effectiveness. However, despite these issues, it's critical to recognize that many invading tribes were also Christian at this time, complicating the narrative that attributes the empire's decline solely to Christianity. The sheer geographic size of the empire exacerbated its challenges, leading to administrative reforms under Emperor Diocletian, who divided the empire into Eastern and Western regions with capitals in Rome and Nicomedia, respectively. This division marked a shift in power dynamics, with the Senate's advisory role diminished and authority increasingly centralized among military leaders. Notably, some emperors chose to reside outside of Rome, signaling a political realignment away from the traditional capital. Eventually, administrative functions shifted to Ravenna and later to Constantinople, which emerged as a new cultural and economic center, redefining the political landscape of the Roman Empire.

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