10.1 The Eastward Shift

The Roman Empire's center of gravity shifted eastward in the 3rd and 4th centuries CE. This move was driven by political, economic, and religious factors that reshaped the empire's structure and priorities.

The rise of Constantinople as the new capital and Christianity as the state religion marked major changes. Meanwhile, the western half of the empire faced increasing instability from Germanic invasions, ultimately leading to its collapse in 476 CE.

The Eastward Shift of the Roman Empire

Tetrarchy and eastern capitals

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• Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into eastern and western administrative regions in 285 CE
  • Established a tetrarchy system of rule with two senior emperors (augusti) and two junior emperors (caesars) to improve governance and stability
  • Eastern capital established at Nicomedia in present-day Turkey, reflecting the growing importance of the eastern provinces
• Constantine the Great reunited the empire and founded a new eastern capital, Constantinople, in 330 CE
  • Strategic location on the Bosphorus Strait allowed control over trade routes between Europe and Asia
  • Closer proximity to the empire's wealthy eastern provinces, such as Egypt and Syria, facilitated better administration and defense
• The Western Roman Empire faced increasing political instability and economic decline
  • Frequent invasions by Germanic tribes, such as the Visigoths and Vandals, weakened the western provinces
  • Weakening of central authority due to political infighting and the rise of powerful regional leaders
• The Eastern Roman Empire, later known as the Byzantine Empire, remained stable and prosperous
  • Benefited from lucrative trade with the East, including silk and spices from China and India
  • Maintained a strong central government and military, allowing it to withstand external threats and internal challenges

Christianity as the state religion

• Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan in 313 CE
  • Ended centuries of persecution of Christians, allowing the religion to spread openly
  • Granted religious tolerance throughout the empire, promoting social and political stability
• Theodosius I declared Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire in 380 CE
  • Banned pagan religious practices, forcing the population to convert to Christianity
  • Closed pagan temples and sanctuaries, redirecting resources and loyalty to the Church
• The Church became a powerful institution, closely intertwined with the state
  • Bishops gained significant political influence, often serving as advisors to emperors and local rulers
  • Church councils, such as the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE, defined Christian doctrine and helped maintain religious unity
• Christianity's spread facilitated cultural and linguistic unity across the Mediterranean
  • Greek and Latin became the primary languages of the Church, promoting communication and cultural exchange
  • Christian art and architecture flourished, such as the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, showcasing the empire's wealth and devotion
• Monasticism emerged as a significant aspect of Christian life
  • Monastic communities served as centers of learning and preservation of classical knowledge, ensuring the survival of ancient texts
  • Missionaries, such as St. Patrick in Ireland and St. Benedict in Italy, spread Christianity to new regions, expanding the faith's influence

Collapse of Roman authority in the West

• The Western Roman Empire faced increasing pressure from Germanic tribes
  • Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, and Franks sought new lands due to population pressures and climate changes in their homelands
  • Invasions and migrations strained the empire's resources and ability to maintain control over its territories
• The Visigoths, led by Alaric, sacked Rome in 410 CE
  • Symbolized the weakening of Roman power and prestige, as the eternal city fell to foreign invaders
  • Contributed to a sense of insecurity and instability in the West, as the empire's heartland was vulnerable
• The Vandals established a kingdom in North Africa, disrupting Rome's grain supply
  • Captured Carthage in 439 CE, gaining control over the empire's breadbasket
  • Weakened the Western Empire's economy and ability to feed its population, leading to social unrest and political instability
• The Western Empire's military was increasingly reliant on Germanic mercenaries (foederati)
  • Weakened loyalty to Rome and increased the power of Germanic leaders, who often prioritized their own interests
  • Germanic generals, such as Odoacer and Theodoric the Great, became kingmakers, deposing and installing emperors at will
• Political instability and infighting among Western Roman emperors
  • Frequent usurpations and civil wars drained resources and weakened the empire's ability to respond to threats
  • Inability to effectively respond to external threats, such as invasions and raids, further eroded the empire's authority
• Economic factors, such as inflation, overtaxation, and a decline in trade
  • Strained the Western Empire's resources, making it difficult to maintain infrastructure and pay for defense
  • Contributed to social unrest and a weakening of central authority, as local leaders gained more power
• The deposition of the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by Odoacer in 476 CE
  • Marked the end of the Western Roman Empire as a political entity, as Odoacer became the first barbarian king of Italy
  • Germanic kingdoms filled the power vacuum in the West, such as the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy and the Frankish Kingdom in Gaul, establishing new political and social orders