History Exam One
Option 2: The final hundred years of both Classical Athens and the Roman Republic, saw both new heights of power, while also highlighting the inherent problems that would eventually lead to the downfall of both Athens as the leader of the Greek city-states at the end of the fifth century BCE, and the end of the Roman Republic in 27.BCE. Contrasting the two, what led to the demise of each system of government? What were the major problems, societal and otherwise, that they faced that led to the eventual collapse of democratic and Republican styles of government in both Greece and Rome?
Introduction
Classical Athens and Rome experienced its downfall at the end of the fifth century BCE and 27 BCE respectively. The term “classical Athens” refers to the time between the Persian Wars and the beginning of the 5th century B.C. Therefore, it was the era between the Persians and Greek filled with conflict and war. The first misunderstanding existed between Persians and Greeks and Spartans and Athenians. The major cause was linked to cultural and political achievement. Despite cultural achievement experienced by Classical Athens, the Peloponnesian War led to its decline. Spartan victory in the war; 431-404 B.C ensured Classical Athens lost its political supremacy (Conover, Denise, 115). Previously, Athens had begun the Delian League which was against Sparta and Persia wishes. On the other hand, the Republic Rome down was affiliated by Barbarian tribes invasion, slave labour overreliance and economic troubles in addition to political instability and government corruption. Hence, the goal of this essay to explain major problems, societal and otherwise that led to the eventual downfall of democratic and republican government styles in classical Athens and Rome.
The Classical Athens Downfall by the end of 5th Century BCE
One of the major reasons behind its cause included the Peloponnesian War that took place between 431-404 BC. Athens hegemony cities resentment resulted in the Peloponnesian War. The latter existed in 431 and pitted Athens. Land-based cities coalition led by cities such as Sparta ensured the Athenian fail to command the sea. Classical Athens downfall was also increased when Sparta formed its navy (Conover, Denise, 117). Also, by 411BC, the Athenian democracy was overthrown. One of the reasons initiated by city-states such as Sparta was; Athens handed Peloponnesian War poorly, and it was evident during its defeat in war in 401BC. Sparta also blamed Athens for its political democratic leaders who impacted weak leadership styles during the action leading to the defeat. Among the leaders blamed included Cleophon and Cleon. Spartan Arm via its ruling in 403, ensured Classical Athens democratic styles was withdrawn and restored by Thrasybulus.
It’s poor democratic ruling also facilitated classical Athens downfall. Athenian democracy form had a lot of contradiction. It failed to indulge the larger section of slaves and women. Majority of the groups argued that it was not equitable; therefore, was unable to involve the slaves and foreigners. To fix the issue majority of the cities such as Sparta, Persia and Thebes came up with forms to withdraw it. Xerces, the Achaemenid destroyed Athens. The army’s second invasion in Athens ensured that Athens was damaged. The rest of the Athenians population was affected by the plague. It killed most of them as medical advancement was not made particularly.
The Roman Republic Downfall in 27 BCE
The Roman Republic between 133-27 BC experienced economic stagnation. The latter was caused by the internal turmoil of its government ruling. The Roman Republic underwent adverse and violent oligarchy transition. It became difficult to address economic and social issues, and that affected the Republican devolution authority. The fall of the Roman Republic; 133-27BC was at first facilitated by the rise of popular tribunes. The tribunes tried as much as they would restore military orders. In the long, they reclaimed public lands living the poor homeless. The latter, which facilitated urban mob violence facilitated the downfall of the Roman Republic (POSner, Eric, 55). Also, the rises of the private armies led to the collapse of the Roman Republic. Mariul and Cornelius Sulla between 104-100BC and 82-79BC respectively facilitated private army recruitment. The landless citizens recruited via allied forces were forced to participate in wars. The overall act promoted colonial wars in addition to Asian rebellion. The fortunate began to fight and get away with dictatorship ruling. The First Triumvirate between 59 and 53BC aim at weakening the Roman Republic. Via induced three men; C.Julious, Cn. Pompeius Magnus and M.Licinius Crassus, combined the primary influences to weaken the Roman Republic. They exploited the city of Rome and even confronted Sulla’s dictatorship. Also, they reformed their political agendas with senatorial teams to destroy the Roman Republic.
Also, the Roman Republic downfall was facilitated by Barbarian tribes’ invasion. The military was overthrown by the outside forces from Germanic tribes. In 300s, Goths, one of Barbarian groups, has fully encroached the Roman Empire borders effectively. The Roman Republic city henceforth was raided and by 476 majorities of the cities had suffered deathblows. Besides that, Roman Republic overreliance on slave labor and co-occurring economic troubles necessitated its downfall (Pritchard, David, 55). In addition to the outside forces attack, Roman experienced adverse financial crisis. With prevailing wars, there was a high gap between the poor and the rich. In the end, wealthy groups decided to avoid taxman and migrated in countryside. In the process also, the Roman Republic Empire experienced labor deficit as it depended on slaves’ labour. In the end, the Roman lost its well-known grip in the European area.
The loss of traditional values and Christianity also lead to the downfall of the Roman Republic by 27BCE. In 313, the rise of Christianity contributed to Roman fall. Milan tried and legalized Christianity which ensured that every being had a divine purpose. The traditional value system of the Roman was abolished, especially those related to slavery. In Christianity, slavery was inhuman, and with complicated governance, the Milan troops decided to call the facilitated movement to ensure the empire primary illegal acts were fully destroyed. Also, the Roman legions weakened (Srivastava, Promilla, 32). It not only necessitated its downfall but also called for the formation of effective unions, unlike legions—the Roman legions restricted citizenry with empires of Constantine and Diocletian falling apart.
In conclusion, the destruction of the Roman Republic by 27 B.C.E was facilitated by their leader; Augustus Caesar. He broke the republic norms and assumed supreme control in the empire. He names himself unconstitutionally as the dictator for life. In the end, political violence prevailed. Citizens in the ruling protested, and the latter affected social, political and economic well-being of the empire. On the other hand, Classical Athens participation in the Peloponnesian War led to its decline. Spartan victory in the war; 431-404 B.C ensured Classical Athens lost its political supremacy. Previously, Athens had begun the Delian League which was against Sparta and Persia wishes. Also, via its weak democratic government styles, it failed to adhere to the laid constitution norms in the long run; empire gradually experienced its downfall.
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Option 3: With the start of a new millennium, the Roman Empire saw the birth of a new religion that would spread widely across the Mediterranean and far north into the continent of Europe. What were some of the reasons why Christianity spread so widely in the region during the first five to six hundred years after the death of Jesus of Nazareth? For this question, keep in mind the political, cultural, and societal events that shaped the region where Christianity spread. For this question, you don’t have to offer a detailed answer. Still, you do try to provide examples of “snap shots” from different periods within the time frame offered, from the early Roman Empire, a divided Roman empire, and the interaction with the Germanic tribes in the North.
Introduction
There were several societal, political and cultural events that led to the spread of Christianity during the first five to six hundred years. The death of Jesus of Nazareth facilitated the latter. It highly impacted on Roman Empire, the divided Roman Empire and the interaction with the Germanic tribes in the north. In the Roman Empire, for instance, the sent letters by Apostle Paul to the communities facilitated the spread of Christianity. Also, Christianity-Judaism events encouraged Christianity in addition to imperial authority activities favouring Christianity (Dubey, Arvind, 238). In a divided Roman Empire, non-Christian deities’ statues event facilitated Christianity in addition to the constructed churches holding congregation and educating them on the essence of Christianity. Hence, the goal of this essay is to discuss cultural, societal and political events that lead to the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire and Germanic tribes.
The Christian Bible with New Testament teachings, for instance, ensured that the community members in the Roman Empire received several educations that were highly facilitated by Apostle Paul. The existing relationship between Christianity and Judaism in the Roman government events also necessitated the spread of Christianity. Indeed, the latter ensured that Christianity was forced as a new religion with many followers and that it became fully established in the Roman Empire. Also, with the change in imperial authority, Christianity became part and parcel of Roman Empire life. In 313 CE, Milan Edict via Constantine; empire, granted Rome with Christianity religion (Humphries, Mark, 78). It was a legal status also when Constantine had a meeting with the Nicaea Council in 325. They provided the primary beliefs of Christianity. By 380 CE, Thessalonica Edict through Theodosius emperor made Christianity of Nicene an official Roman Empire religion. In general, the Roman Empire Christian religion took place over time. Even with the fall of the Western Empire of the Roman, Christianity continues spreading from 476 CE henceforth (Meister, Chad, and James Stump, 34). In the sphere, it also grew as the majority of the Roman Empire citizens were running away from Jewish traditions. The majority saw the impact Christianity had on the people hence shaped the political and cultural structures in the Roman.
In a divided Roman Empire, several events led to the spread of Christianity. The destruction of the non-Christian deities’ statues aided the spread of Christianity. After the death of Jesus of Nazareth, Paul and Apostle Peter spread the gospel. The latter incorporated various groups such as non-Jews and with the peaceful co-existence in Roman from effective leadership; it became easier to spread Christianity. Also, the empire introduced one common language to ease communication (Dubey, Arvind, 300). Therefore, it becomes very easier for its members to learn and understand other religions. They would grasp the direct knowledge of the creator and the factors beyond Jesus of Nazareth death. Communication uniformity fastens the easy spread of God’s message. Majority of the citizens received the hopeful message of Christianity. They believed in the love and promises of God in heaven. Indeed, the members of the communities assisted one another to understand the idea of after-life.
Consecutively, the construction of various churches under Paul, Jesus Apostle necessitated the spread of Christianity throughout the division of the Roman Empire. He even went ahead to write letters and advising them on the essence of spiritual matters (Dubey, Arvind, 201). The notes were incorporated in the Bible, especially the New Testament, which defined the impact of sin on the after-life. In the division of the Roman Empire, apart from the roles Paul, the Apostle of Jesus played; his missionaries’ weekly seminars, workshop and training necessitated the spread of Christianity. The evangelists and the apostles played an essential role in the Gentile world. St. Barnabas also used the political advantage to spread Christianity.
The interaction among the Germanic tribes in the north also facilitated the spread of Christianity after the death of Jesus of Nazareth. The Germanic people via her interaction underwent gradual Christianity transformation. The latter was initiated with the cease of Germanic paganism (George, Roji, 42). Also, Saint Remigius highlighted two essential features of Europe Christianization. Also, fully interaction in the Holy Roman Empire after the death of Jesus of Nazareth by the missionaries to the Germanic peoples ensured a wide spread of Christianity (George, Roji, 31). The apostles of the catholic churches by the sixth century re-converted Arianism. Also, several Goths converted to Christianity, who also attracted individuals outside Germanic tribes to become Christians. Among the Germanic tribes, Christianity became the largest religion. The western and eastern German tribes highly followed the leadership of Clovis.
In conclusion, During the Germanic Iron Age, events facilitated by Clovis, I ensured that Germanic tribes converted from paganism to Christianity. In 496, the Arians and Gothic tribes turned away from previous faith. The latter was also facilitated by the baptism of Clovis I serving as a follower of Jesus of Nazareth. In the period of 589, majority of citizens under the Germanic tribes converted to the Trinitarian form of Christianity. Also, the divisions in the Roman Empire were dominated with peaceful co-existence and with the elite language, the early Christians became literate on the impacted of Christianity. Also, congregations grew in churches and homes with men and women, showing growth in faith. Generally, Christianity events assumed divisions of Roman eternal life with God and that monotheism was fully practised.
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Works Cited
Conover, Denise. “The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece by Josiah Ober.” Mediterranean Studies 27.1 (2019): 113-117.
Dubey, Arvind Kumar. “Unit-16 The Roman Empire and Urbanization.” IGNOU (2020): 78-356.
George, Roji T. “The Early Christian Ambivalent Posture in the Context of Jewish Internal Colonization.”(2018): 12-45.
Humphries, Mark. “Christianity and Paganism in the Roman Empire, 250–450 CE.” A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity (2018): 61-80.
Meister, Chad, and James Stump. “The pre-history of Christian thought.” Christian Thought. Routledge, 2016. 25-42.
POSner, Eric A. “The Constitution of the Roman Republic.” Roman Law and Economics: Institutions and Organizations Volume I (2020): 47-90.
Pritchard, David M. “The archers of classical Athens.” Greece & Rome 65.1 (2018): 86-102.
Srivastava, Promilla. “Unit-1 Roman Empire: Political System.” Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, (2020): 23-45.