Romans, Christians, and Barbarians

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Emperor Constantine

Granted Christians toleration in 313 with the Edict of Milan; converted to Christianity

Theodosius

Ruled from 378-395. Outlawed Roman gods/made Christianity “official” religion

St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Challenged the Arians and said that God was both fully human and fully divine at the Council of Nicaea

Council of Nicaea

Settled a major theological dispute, codified that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. Leading arguer: St. Athanasius of Alexandria

Neoplatonist Christianity

Christian thought infused with Platonic (from Plato) philosophy

Tertullian (150-225)

Don’t overthink things

Saint Augustine of Hippo

Influential Christian thinker. Wrote the City of God.

The City of God

Written by St. Augustine of Hippo.

• Two cities: one of God’s word, the other of human/earthly pleasures.

• Defense of Christianity against arguments that it caused the fall of the Roman Empire

“Barbarian” customs: Feud

If someone kills a member of your family, you strike back

“Barbarian” customs: Wergild

Sum of money paid to stop a feud

“Barbarian” customs: Comitatus

Group of warriors bound together by loyalty

“Barbarian” customs: Trial by Ordeal

To establish guilt/innocence, hurt yourself very badly and see if you heal

“Barbarian” customs: Compurgation

“oath-helpers'“ who might vouch for you

Emperor Valens (328-378)

Killed at the Battle of Adrianople

Alaric I (370-411 AD)

First king of the Visigoths

Odovacar

• Deposed the Roman emperor in 476 AD

• Tried to establish relationship with emperor in the east, Zeno, but failed

Zeno

• Emperor in the east

• Odovacar wanted to be friends with him

• Zeno asked the Ostrogoths, led by Theodoric the Great (“first medieval king”), to invade Italian peninsula

Canon law

Collection of official church rules