Waiting for the Barbarians

Why did Rome fall?
o Internal problems (overextension, decadence, mismanagement, Christianity etc.)
o External forces (barbarian invasions)

Rome <— Germanic tribes <— Huns
  (Goths, Vandals etc.)

9  Varus killed with 3 legions
170s  M. Aurelius vs. Germans
300s Huns push Germanic tribes south
378  Battle of Adrianople
395  Death of Theodosius
410  Sack of Rome by Alaric & Goths
Roman withdrawal from Britain
439  Vandals take Carthage
440s  Huns ravage empire under Attila
460s Germanic warlords in Italy
476  Romulus Augustulus deposed

 After the Fall

Barbarian Kingdoms
o Ostrogoths: Italy & Southern Gaul
o Visigoths: Spain
o Vandals: N. Africa
o Franks: Northern Gaul

Boethius (c. 480-524)
o Civil servant to Ostrogothic kings
o Works on music theory, mathematics
o Project to translate Aristotle
o Consolation of Philosophy
o Executed for treason

7th-8th c. European "Dark Ages"
800 Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor

The Byzantine Empire

Characteristics
o Continuity of rule (vs. western turmoil)
o Diplomacy and military skill
o Formality, splendor & ceremony
o Hierarchy and bureaucracy
o Religious focus; power of orthodox church

Justinian (ruled 527-565)
o Co-ruler: Theodora
o Brief reconquest of N. Africa, part of Italy
o Architecture (incl. Hagia Sophia)
o Collection of legal texts: Justinianic Code
o Procopius, The Secret History

The Rise of Islam
622  Mohammed from Medina —> Mecca
632  Death of Mohammed
640  Arab conquest of Egypt

1204  4th crusade sacks Constantinople
1453 Constantinople taken by Turks