intro to 10/16

Overview of the Decline of the Roman Empire

  • Discussion of the end of the Roman Empire and the transition into the Middle Ages.

  • Acknowledgment of the sophisticated nature of Roman civilization.

Characteristics of the Roman Empire at its Height

  • Capital: Rome.

  • Population: Approximately 1.5 million.

  • Key amenities:

    • Aqueducts

    • Theaters

    • Amphitheaters

    • Paved roads

  • Stability of the Roman government lasting several hundred years.

Issues Leading to Decline

  • Instability Along Borders:

    • Invasions led to defensive wars instead of wars of conquest.

    • Loss of wars, especially along significant regions such as:

    • Rhine River

    • Danube River

    • Eastern frontiers.

  • Poor Leadership:

    • Emergence of many ineffective Emperors.

    • Instances of civil war due to emperors seizing power by killing other emperors.

    • Resulted in overall instability within the central government.

  • Epidemic of 1965:

    • A major epidemic lasting about fifteen years, possibly attributable to measles or smallpox.

    • Estimated fatalities: Between 7 to 10 million people.

    • Death toll constituted roughly 10% of the overall population of the empire.

  • Impacts of Epidemic:

    • Contributed significantly to the overall decline of the Roman Empire.

    • Increased socio-cultural reliance on religion during periods of instability.

Emergence of Monotheistic Religions

  • Christianity:

    • Based on the teachings of Jesus, referred to as "Christ" meaning "anointed one".

    • Birthplace: Roman province of Judea.

    • Spread facilitated by the Roman Empire's extensive trade routes and secure transportation.

    • Timeline of Key Events:

    • Christ’s birth: Exact date contested.

    • Death: Approximately between 29-32 CE.

    • Spread of Christianity: Rapid, particularly through significant figures like Saint Peter.

      • Establishment of the Christian church in Rome by Saint Peter by 64 CE.

  • Christian Art:

    • Absence of Christian art until after 200 CE.

    • Theological Reasoning:

    • Desire to distance from pagan practices that included the worship of cult statues.

    • The prohibition mentioned in the Second Commandment against making graven images.

    • Commentary from early Christian writers advocating against images in worship.

    • Pagan vs. Christian Beliefs:

    • Paganism focused on physical depictions of gods and goddesses.

    • Christianity initially sought to avoid the use of images to maintain theological purity.

Transition into Christian Art

  • Early Christian Art:

    • Earliest examples found in Rome, not in The Holy Land.

    • Locations: Private burial sites rather than official church sites.

    • Art forms: Mostly frescoes and mosaics, avoiding sculpture due to prohibitions against graven images.

  • Catacombs in Rome:

    • Description and background:

    • Originally Roman cemeteries evolved into catacombs due to space constraints above ground.

    • Built into volcanic stone known as Tufa, allowing for easy carving.

    • Transition in burial practices:

    • Shift from cremation to burial starting in the 2nd century CE, possibly for cultural reasons.

    • Estimated number of Romans buried in catacombs: About 4 million.

  • Features and Artistic Practices in Catacombs:

    • Individuals could purchase burial shelves carved from Tufa.

    • Wealthier patrons commissioned elaborate carvings to imitate architecture and hired artists for decorations.

    • Societal customs included visiting graves on special festivals, necessitating accessible burial sites.