Walk Through Europe - Pt I - Western Rome
Dec 12, 2017 1:09:57 GMT
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Nobunaga Oda, Leonid Govorov, and 2 more like this
Post by Gaius Julius Caesar on Dec 12, 2017 1:09:57 GMT
Where did Rome go?!
What's Rome? The Roman Republic was the largest empire of its time for nearly 1000 years. The height of Rome was in the early A.D. (C.E) period. They were located specifically on the Apennine Peninsula (modern Italy), but at one point in time, they owned the Balkans, Spain, Gaul (France), a large portion of modern Germany, England, Northern Africa, Egypt, and Turkey.
Why is the title called Western Rome? Constantine was one of the most powerful leaders of Rome, and he owned one of Rome's biggest sizes. In a series of events, Constantine chose to convert to Christianity and moved the capital to modern day Istanbul to maintain proximity to Jerusalem. This city was called Constantinople. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, Rome had two capitals and two leaders as well. That caused political instability and eventually the splitting of Rome into the Roman and Byzantine Empire.
The fall of Western Rome
Why do I care? Many empires have risen and fallen throughout history, so what makes this one any different? Well, first of all, the cultural diffusion created by Rome created many of the groups we know today. After the fall of Rome, there was a power void that allowed for the Middle Ages to begin, which of course leads to my European History Unit!
So, what are some reasons for Rome's decline?
1. They had hundreds of cultures mish-mashed in their borders, and to control them, they often forced them to have a uniform religion and culture. That has almost never proved to be successful, and obviously, it didn't work out here.
2. Unfortified borders! I don't know if you've ever owned the largest empire in Europe at a time where there were like a gazillion tribes constantly ransacking you, but if you have, you know that it is very hard to protect every single one.
3. Strong leaders? Never heard of one! Rome used to be centralized and easy to control. But as Rome got bigger and bigger and every ruler ruled for less time, it was nearly impossible to keep everything in order.
4. Economic Failure takes precedence. It is hard to tax a massive nation of people, and it is also hard to maintain a large army. They began to lose money fast!
5. Lack of Romans in Rome. As Rome got bigger and bigger, they had to employ people from tribes into their army. That led to decentralization even in the army.
6. Invasions! There were still invasions Rome had to deal with as well.
Were there other reasons? Yes! These are the main ones I could think of at the current time.
What's Rome? The Roman Republic was the largest empire of its time for nearly 1000 years. The height of Rome was in the early A.D. (C.E) period. They were located specifically on the Apennine Peninsula (modern Italy), but at one point in time, they owned the Balkans, Spain, Gaul (France), a large portion of modern Germany, England, Northern Africa, Egypt, and Turkey.
Why is the title called Western Rome? Constantine was one of the most powerful leaders of Rome, and he owned one of Rome's biggest sizes. In a series of events, Constantine chose to convert to Christianity and moved the capital to modern day Istanbul to maintain proximity to Jerusalem. This city was called Constantinople. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, Rome had two capitals and two leaders as well. That caused political instability and eventually the splitting of Rome into the Roman and Byzantine Empire.
The fall of Western Rome
Why do I care? Many empires have risen and fallen throughout history, so what makes this one any different? Well, first of all, the cultural diffusion created by Rome created many of the groups we know today. After the fall of Rome, there was a power void that allowed for the Middle Ages to begin, which of course leads to my European History Unit!
So, what are some reasons for Rome's decline?
1. They had hundreds of cultures mish-mashed in their borders, and to control them, they often forced them to have a uniform religion and culture. That has almost never proved to be successful, and obviously, it didn't work out here.
2. Unfortified borders! I don't know if you've ever owned the largest empire in Europe at a time where there were like a gazillion tribes constantly ransacking you, but if you have, you know that it is very hard to protect every single one.
3. Strong leaders? Never heard of one! Rome used to be centralized and easy to control. But as Rome got bigger and bigger and every ruler ruled for less time, it was nearly impossible to keep everything in order.
4. Economic Failure takes precedence. It is hard to tax a massive nation of people, and it is also hard to maintain a large army. They began to lose money fast!
5. Lack of Romans in Rome. As Rome got bigger and bigger, they had to employ people from tribes into their army. That led to decentralization even in the army.
6. Invasions! There were still invasions Rome had to deal with as well.
Were there other reasons? Yes! These are the main ones I could think of at the current time.
