The personal websight of Russ Williams  

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.