AP World History: The Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Damnatio ad bestia

A Latin term to describe a Roman form of execution in which a person was publicly killed by wild animals such as lions and tigers. It was a major form of entertainment for lower classes of Rome during the second and third centuries CE, and may have been used to persecute Christians.

Nero

A first century CE Roman emperor who is closely associated with tetanus and corruption. He allegedly had his mother murdered. When a great fire broke out in Rome, many believed he set it purposely to clear the area for a new palatial complex. He blamed the fire on Christians.

Constantinople

A strategically defensible site along the Bosporus River that was developed by Constantine as the capital city of the Eastern Roman Empire

Jesus of Nazareth

He was central figure in Christianity who many believed was the son of God and who will return one day to offer salvation to his followers. He was a Jew who preached many of the concepts from the Hebrew Bible, including humility, charity, and love. These principles serve as the moral underpinnings for Western civilization.

Judas Iscariot

His name is often synonymous with betrayal and treason. He was one of the original disciples of Jesus, but, as we story goes, as the story goes, he betrayal Jesus to the Romans for 30 pieces for silver.

Barbarians

A general term to describe people who are considered uncivilized or primitive. During the time of the Roman Empire, this term was used to describe the tribes of Northern Europe who lived outside the boundaries of the empire.

Theodosius the Great

Fourth century Roman emperor who adopted Christianity as the official religion throughout the empire.

Edict of Milan

An order by Contantine I in 313 CE that promoted religion tolerance throughout the Roman Empire and ordered citizens to accept Christians.

Constantine

He was fourth century Roman emperor who was the first to convert to Christianity. He issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE proclaiming religious tolerance throughout the empire. His biggest project was to build an eastern capital city called Constantinople

Crucifixion

term to describe a method of execution that was used widely in antiquity, including Ancient Rome. When Jesus was convicted by the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate, of treason for claiming himself “King of the Jews,” he was executed using this method.

Pope

Term to describe powerful Christian leaders who emerged during the second and third centuries CE. They claimed to be descended from the original 12 apostles and had the power to appoint church clergy.

Huns

A nomadic warlike people from Asia that pushed the Germanic Tribes including the Vandals, the Barbarians, and the Visigoths into the Roman Empire

Visigoths

The name of a Germanic group that was forced from their homeland into the Western Roman Empire by the Hund from Asia. Under the leadership of King Alaric I, they sacked Rome in 410 CE.

Apostle Simon Peter

Jewish fisherman and follower of Jesus during Jesus’ lifetime. All of the ancient Christian churches revere him as a major daily. Tradition holds that he was crucified (upside down) by the emperor Nero

Apostle Paul

A well-educated Jewish Roman citizen and major saint he initially engaged in the persecution of Christians, but later changed his beliefs and helped spread the gospel of Jesus. Much of the New Testament of Bible is attributed to him.

Vandals

The name for a Germanic group that traveled through Spain and Northern Africa before invading the Western Roman Empire from across the Mediterranean Sea. They sacked Rome in 455 CE. The world vandalize is derived from the name of this ruthless tribe

Byzantine Empire

Another name to describe the Eastern Roman Empire after it was divided by Diocletian. This empire lasted about 1,000 years longer than the Western Roman Empire.

Laity

Term to describe regular followers of religion who are not ordained as a member of the clergy. When Christianity took hold in the fourth century, it appealed to many people, particularly poor people, who were ready followers because the religion promised them a sense of belonging and eternal salvation.

Bishop

A term to describe the “greatest priest,” Bishop of Rome, and worldwide leader of the Catholic Church. The word derives from the Greek word for father. Tradition holds that he is the successor to Saint Peter.

Romulus Augustulus

In 476 AD, this Western Roman emperor was deposed by Flavius Odoacer, a Germanic king. His defeat is widely considered the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Alaric

He was the first kind of the Visigoths and is best known for sacking Rome in 410 CE. This event is closely associated with the ultimate demise of the Western Roman Empire.

Diocletian

An early fourth century Roman emperor who, in order to more effectively manage the vast empire, divided the empire into four sections, two in the east and two in the west. While this largely worked for a time, the system collapsed after he left his imperial office in 305 CE.

Apostle

Term to describe close followers of a Jesus who spread his message after he was crucified. They preached that Jesus was the son of His, and he was killed to pay for the sins of all people. If people accepted Jesus as their savior, they would have eternal life in Heaven.

Pontius Pilate

Prefect of Judea who presided over the trial of Jesus and ordered Jesus’s crucifixion. Many of the gospels say that he believed Jesus innocent of plotting against Rome, but had to order the execution when the crowd refused to relent.

Caligula

The name for an early first century, CE Roman emperor, whose name is synonymous with cruelty, debauchery, and excess. His reign was brief, but upon his execution, attempts to restore the Roman Republic were unsuccessful.