Social Studies 8.1

Pax Romana

A long period of relative peace in the Roman Empire that allowed for increased trade and population.

Military Conquests

Many victories led to an expanded empire and years of peace, though often at the cost of lives.

Agriculture in the Roman Empire

Practiced on a massive scale, contributing to food security and wealth.

Coins in the Roman economy

Denarius, featuring the emperor's face, facilitated trade across the empire.

Infrastructure

Extensive road networks and aqueducts were developed, many structures lasted to modern times.

Political office challenges

Political roles became burdensome, requiring personal funds and often leading to assassination.

Military interference in politics

Generals influenced policies for their benefit rather than the public's.

Division of the Roman Empire

Diocletian divided it into Latin West and Greek East, causing further conflict.

Constantinople's establishment

Constantine moved the capital to Byzantium, alienating the Western Empire.

Public interest decline

With many poor citizens, interest in political affairs waned.

Confidence in the Roman Empire

Constant wars, plague, and famine eroded public trust.

Disloyalty and corruption

The hiring of foreign mercenaries caused a lack of patriotism.

Economic divide

A widening gap between rich and poor led to social disillusionment.

Population decline

The Antonine plague and food shortages significantly reduced population.

Poor harvests

Overworked land lost fertility, exacerbating food shortages.

Trade disruption

Pirates and hostile tribes hindered trade, affecting the economy.

Loss of war plunder

The empire suffered from a lack of new resources from conquests.

Gold and silver drain

Depletion of mines and lack of new conquests led to economic strain.

Inflation in the Roman economy

Devaluation of Denarius increased costs of goods.

Crushing tax burden

Heavy taxation on produce widened the gap between landowners and the poor.

Threat of northern tribes

Military costs to protect borders created local power shifts.

Mercenary recruitment issues

Lower discipline and loyalty among foreign soldiers led to military challenges.

Viking invasions

Scandinavian raiders disrupted Western Europe, leading to local dependence on leaders.

Charlemagne's achievements

Reunited Western Europe, spread Christianity, limited noble power.

Treaty of Verdun

Signed in 843, it divided Charlemagne's empire among his grandsons, leading to feudalism.

Magyar invasions

Horse warriors from central Europe raided isolated villages, worsening local instability.

Muslim raiders

Expert sailors attacked Western Europe, contributing to feelings of insecurity.

Rollo the Viking

Received land from Charles the Simple in exchange for ceasing raids, signaling the start of feudalism.

Feudal system hierarchy

Kings grant land to nobles in return for military service.

Noble role in feudalism

Wealthy landowners who provided land to knights in exchange for loyalty.

Knights in feudal society

Mounted warriors who fought for lords in exchange for land.

King's authority

Kings owned everything; they granted rights to nobles based on loyalty.

Noble privileges

Nobles governed their fiefs, often with their own local rules and taxes.

Knights' responsibilities

Maintain armor, train for combat, and provide military service.

Peasant duties

Worked lands, tended to animals, and paid taxes to the lord.

Peasant tax obligations

Peasants owed grain taxes, marriage dues, and tithes to the church.

Noble estates

Nobles often resided in manors that included villages and serfs.

King's influence on laws

Kings could create laws that nobles had to follow, based on their strength.

Economic role of knights

Knights utilized their fiefs for resources and to earn loyalty.

Manorial system

The economy of the feudal system centered around manors and agricultural production.