Transitioning from Pagan Rome to Christian Rome The

Transitioning from Pagan Rome to Christian Rome The Middle Ages w/ Mr. C

Major Events: Tetrarchy

Diocletian Hard-headed but a successful soldier Saw the lack of a stable central authority Fixed it Powers & Privileges of the Senate disappeared or became meaningless Senate was reduced to basically a local city council. Empire was governed by laws but the emperor was the source for all laws

Diocletian The carefully designed political system changed: Augustus concealed his political dictatorship Gaius Julius Octavius – later Octavius Caesar Augustus was an honorific: majestic, venerable Pontifex Maximus Princeps senatus pater patriae Ecetera But never imperator Diocletian sets up an overt, divine-right monarchy based on the eastern model.

divine-right monarchy Oriental mystique justifies imperial absolutism The emperor becomes a god on earth Later after Christianity is accepted this is modified as the divinely ordained representative A sacred figure set far above humanity Became an Eastern god-king Basileus / βασιλεύς On official occasions jeweled robes, tiara, scepter People would prostrate themselves

Diocletian Builds a palace in Nicomedia Much power is transferred to the Great Chamberlain Typically a eunuch in the eastern tradition Also reorganizes the power of subordinate rulers Previously the governor was also the head general Now civilian & military chain of command is seperated Civilian command – Praetorian Prefect Military command – Magister Militum

Major Events: Theodosius I's Empire 395 AD Theodosius I was the last Emperor to rule both parts of the Roman Empire.

Pressures leading to Rome’s fall Diocletian and Constantine coped sucessfully with short term financial woes and administrative problems from the civil wars of the mid 3 rd century (250’s AD). But it was a short term gain.

Constatine the Great Next Week