Last Update 10/03/01
---395
Roman Empire split---
Eastern
Roman Empire:
(Byzantine
Empire,395-1453) in SE Europe & SW Asia,.
When the Roman Empire was divided, and the western part was overrun by
the barbarians, the city of Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern
Roman Empire until 476A.D., when the Western Roman emperor was deposed. The main
cities are; Constantinople, Alexandria,
Antioch and Jerusalem
Constantine
(280-337)
The first Christian Roman emperor (306-37), converted (312) on the eve of a
battle. He established toleration of Christianity throughout the empire (Edict
of Milan, 313), and dealt with the Donatist schism and the Arian heresy (Council
of Nicea, 325). He defeated the Eastern emperor (324) and moved his capital to
Constantinople (330) to face the Goths. He paved the way for the downfall of
paganism in the Roman world.
>Arianism:
The
name given to the doctrine of the person of Christ advocated By Arius, a 4th
century priest of Alexandria. This doctrine advocated that Christ was not equal
to or the same as God, the Father. Controversy between followers of Arius and
his great opponent, Athanasius, resulted in the condemnation of Arius by the
Council of Nicaea, 325A.D.
Valentinian
III
(419-455)
Grandnephew of the preceding was placed on the throne of the west by Theodosius
II, emperor of the east, 425. Others wielded power during his weak reign of 30
years and he was slain by Maximus.
>Constantinople:
In
329A.D., Constantine the Great, began building the city of Constantinople upon
the ruins of the ancient city of Byzantium. In 313, Constantine made the
official religion Christianity. In 395A.D., it became the capital of the Roman
Empire. Its great service to the world lies in the fact that by its position and
strength it preserved the Greek and Roman culture during the Dark Ages and sent
it back to Europe with the Crusaders. Until the 10tn century its interest was
centered in the study of antiquities. In 1453, it was taken by the Turkish
Empire. It is famous for its Christian "Church of the Divine Wisdom,"
built by Justinian, 438A.D.
>Alexandria:
Alexander
the Great founded it in 332B.C. and it became a center for art, science and
learning. The lighthouse was one of the seven wonders. It's famous buildings
included the Museum, housing part of the remarkable Library of 700,000 papyrus
rolls destroyed by fire at the time of the conquest by Julius Caesar and the
temple of Jupiter Serapis, housing the main portion Of the Library burnt by
Christian fanatics in 389 by the orders of Theodosius.
>Antioc:
Is
the place where the Disciples of Christ were first called Christians.
>Jerusalem:
It
is the seat of Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Patriarchs.
Eastern
Church (orthodox):
The
ancient Christian Church in the Eastern Roman Empire, originally under the
jurisdiction of the four great eastern patriarcates of Alexandria, Antioch,
Constantinople and Jerusalem, from which are derived the national churches of
eastern and southeastern Europe and western Asia. Rejecting the authority of the
Roman, headed by the Bishops of Constantinople.
Western
Roman Empire:
The
west part of the Roman Empire, after Theodosius divided it in 395A.D. until
Emperor Romulus Augustulus was overthrown by Odoacer in 476A.D. and banished.
Theodosius
Roman
Emperor surnamed the Great. He was a native of Spain and lived in comparative
retirement until 379, when Gratian, emperor of the west, invited him to displace
Valens, the emperor of the east, Theolosius seized control of the empire and
later routed the Goths, who were forced to submit in 382. He was an ardent
supporter of Catholic orthodoxy and vigorously persecuted Arians, heretics and
pagans. He had a savage temper and was inveterately cruel.
Flavius
Valens
(328-378)
Ruler of the east Roman empire in Cibalis, Pannonia, when his brother Flavius
Valentinian I retired to the west. Becoming emperor in 364. He put down
Procopius' revolt, persecuted the Christians, fought with the Goths and was
defeated by them, 378, in Adrianople.
Flavius
Valentinian I
(321-375)
in Pannonea, succeeded Jovian on the throne, 364, and, resigning the empire of
the east to his brother, Flavius Valens, he governed the
west with ability till
his death.
Romulus
Augustulus
Reigned
for one year, 475-476. Overthrown by Odoacer and banished.
Odoacer
(435-493)
A king of Italy, son of Edecon, probably one of Attila's lieutenants. He became
one of the bodyguards of the Western Roman emperor, 476, forced Romulus
Augustulus to retire, and received the title of Patricius. After conquering
Dalmatia, 489, and the Rugians, 487, he was defeated by Theodoric, king of the
Ostrogoths, 489, He surrendered Ravenina after a 3 years' siege and was
assassinated at a banquet a week later.
Western
Church:
That
part of the Catholic Church, which recognizes the Pope and follows the Latin
Rite: the Roman Catholic Church.
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