Modern European History: The Decline of Rome & The Early Christian Church

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, people, dates, and concepts related to the decline of Rome and the rise of the early Christian Church.

Diocletian

A Roman emperor who believed the empire was too large for one person to control, divided it into smaller administrative areas, and created the tetrarchy.

Tetrarchy

A system of government with four rulers.

Constantine

A Roman emperor who supported Christianity, helped change its status in the Roman Empire, and established Constantinople.

Constantinople

An important imperial capital established by Constantine that became the center of the Eastern Roman Empire.

Romulus Augustulus

The Roman emperor removed from power in A.D. 476, traditionally marking the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

A.D. 476

The year Romulus Augustulus was removed from power, traditionally used to mark the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Germanic Peoples

Peoples who lived outside Roman territory, served in the Roman army, entered Roman territory, and established kingdoms in former Roman lands.

Jesus

The central figure of Christianity.

Missionary

A person who spreads a religious message.

Bishop

A Christian leader responsible for a group of churches.

Conversion

Changing from one religion or belief to another.

Monasticism

The practice of living as a monk or nun devoted to religious life.

Abbess

The female head of a convent.

Monastery

A place where monks or nuns live and practice their religion, serving as important centers of religion, education, learning, writing, copying books, and preserving ancient writings.

Inflation

An economic problem that, alongside high taxes, declining trade, and labor shortages, contributed to the decline of Rome.

Plague

Disease that caused population decline in Rome, leading to fewer workers and soldiers.

Western Roman Empire

The western region of the Roman Empire that experienced instability and Germanic migrations, traditionally falling in A.D. 476.

Eastern Roman Empire

The portion of the Roman Empire centered at Constantinople that continued for many centuries after the Western Roman Empire fell.