Ccot Whap

Bloch WHAP 2­22­13 Mr. Allen

C C O T
In the years of 100 C.E to 600 C.E, Rome went through a lot of cultural and political changes and continuities. The empire grew in many ways and modernized for the better. Some aspects continued to thrive in Rome and did not get changed because of their past success and due to its part of the culture.

The ways which made Rome so successful were not done by mistake, they had many important regulations and systems which kept the empire in line and let it continue to function for as long as it did. In 100 C.E the Pax Romana was instituted which stressed on some modernization which was necessary for continuation. Roads which were essential for trade were built. Peace was reached in Rome and their military was strong and intact. Laws were put into place to construct a fair court system. Christianity was the main religion of Rome and even with some adversity (from other religions), kept growing and remained at the top. Christianity did eventually become more widespread when the Pope came into place and when the religion was officially centralized, developed positively.

Not everything was so perfect for the romans. Their large rate of success caused them to grow so large that even their government could not even manage it. the taxes were very high and were not on an even scale because the poor could not afford to pay the same

taxes as the rich. Epidemics (disease) spread throughout rome and killed many people which took a toll on the empire. Non­stop external nomadic invasions from all sides of borders didn't help their cause as their oppositions who wanted the power took advantage of Rome. “Barrack Emperors” who were ruling soldiers almost drove the empire to the ground because they were never able to stabilize Rome. Due to those invasions the empire eventually divided into two and a sense of a Roman fall was upcoming. The Western part of the empire eventually fell in 476 C.E but the Eastern empire known as Byzantium lived on. The invasions also killed the economy and money was sucked up by the government in order to manage in the tough times. Constantine stabilized Rome and built a capital named Constantinople which rejuvenated the empire but only to be invaded even more in the 4th and 5th centuries. Patriarchy continued as the men ruled the families also known as the “pater familias” and ruled all important position city and government wide. Slavery was a main continuity in Rome as they still depended heavily on slavery in their economies and on their farms and homes.

Rome faced many changes and continuities politically and culturally as an empire. The effects were responsible for the ups and downs of the Roman Empire but helped Rome grow into an important thriving part of the world and was a major influential powerhouse in 100­600 C.E.