Fall of The Roman Empire...in the 15th Century: Crash Course World History #12

CrashCourse
12 Apr 201212:44
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis video explores the fall of the Roman Empire and argues it did not fully fall until the 15th century. It discusses theories like corrupt leadership and overexpansion causing Rome's decline. However, the Eastern Roman Empire centered in Constantinople, known as the Byzantine Empire, carried on many Roman traditions. Under Justinian, there was a flowering of Roman law and architecture. The Byzantines eventually split from the Roman Catholic Church, creating Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which still exists. So while the Western Empire collapsed, the Eastern Empire preserved Roman customs and identity for another millennium.

Takeaways
  • 😯 There is debate around when exactly the Roman Empire fell - some argue 476 CE, others say the 15th century
  • 😠 Roman emperors started incorporating 'barbarian' Germanic warriors into the army, leading to disloyalty and civil war
  • 🏛️ The capital was moved east to Constantinople, later renamed by Constantine, which became extremely rich and urbanized
  • 👑 Justinian codified Roman law and conquered back parts of the old Western Empire, while his wife Theodora expanded women's rights
  • 🎭 Theodora had been an actress and possibly prostitute before becoming Empress
  • ⛪ There was an important split between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches
  • 💂‍♂️ The Orthodox church was state-controlled (caesaropapism) unlike the Catholic church ruled by the Pope
  • 🦠 After Rome fell, no strong secular ruler challenged the Pope's authority for over 1000 years
  • 📜 Roman law principles from Justinian's code continues to influence civil law today
  • 🌄 The idea of 'East' vs 'West' traces back to the division of the Roman Empire
Q & A

  • Who conquered the city of Rome in 476 CE?

    -The city of Rome was conquered by Odoacer and groups of barbarians like Ostrogoths, Huns, and Visigoths in 476 CE.

  • Why did the Roman Empire eventually hire Germanic warriors into their army?

    -Rome was stuck in bloody and expensive wars with Germanic tribes who were skilled fighters. So they decided to hire these warriors instead of fighting them.

  • How did hiring Germanic warriors lead to problems in the Roman Empire?

    -The mercenaries were mostly loyal to money and their commanders rather than Rome itself. This led to civil wars as generals declared themselves Emperor.

  • What were some key differences between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires?

    -The Eastern Empire spoke Greek instead of Latin, was wealthier, fought different enemies like the Persians, and centered power in Constantinople instead of Rome.

  • How did Emperor Justinian help restore glory to the Roman Empire?

    -Justinian reconquered parts of North Africa and Italy, published an authoritative law code, and built the magnificent Hagia Sophia church.

  • What influence did Theodora have as empress?

    -Theodora used her influence to expand women's rights, stood by Justinian during riots, and mentored an important general.

  • What was the main doctrinal difference between Catholic and Orthodox Christianity?

    -The main doctrinal difference was around the dating of Easter. Politically, the main difference was over whether the pope or emperor had more authority.

  • How did caesaropapism give Eastern Orthodox leaders more control?

    -In the East, the patriarch was appointed by the emperor, so there was no tension over whether secular or religious rulers had ultimate control.

  • Why was there no challenge to the Pope's authority in the West after 476 CE?

    -With no emperor in Rome after 476 CE, there was no secular leader to challenge the Pope's expanding authority.

  • In what ways does the author argue that the Roman Empire survived even beyond the Byzantines?

    -Ideas of East vs West, church divisions, and Roman law all continue to shape European politics and imagination today.

Outlines
00:00
😄 Introducing the host and premise of the educational history video

The first paragraph introduces John Green as the host of the Crash Course: World History video series. He plans to discuss the fall of Rome, with a debate around when exactly Rome fell - the traditional view of 476 CE or a later 15th century date. A character playing Emperor Justinian briefly interrupts.

05:01
🏛 The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire and its capital Constantinople

The second paragraph explains that the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, survived and thrived centered around Constantinople after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Details are provided on Constantine's strategic decision to move the capital east and how the Byzantines considered themselves Roman and spoke Greek.

10:04
⚖️ Legacy of Roman law and Emperor Justinian's reign and reforms

The third paragraph focuses on the Roman legacy continued by the Byzantines, especially complex Roman law which was codified under the reign of Emperor Justinian. Other details on Justinian's reforms and buildings are noted, as well as the influence of his wife Theodora.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Rome
Rome refers to the Roman Empire which dominated much of Europe and the Mediterranean in ancient times. The video discusses the rise and fall of Rome, arguing that it didn't fully fall until the 15th century with the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire.
💡Barbarians
Barbarians were groups like the Goths, Huns and Vandals who lived outside the Roman Empire and frequently raided and attacked it. They are blamed by some for the fall of the Western Roman Empire when they conquered Rome in 476 CE.
💡Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire, also called the Eastern Roman Empire, was centered in Constantinople and lasted until the 15th century. It preserved Roman culture and law for nearly 1000 years after the Western Empire fell.
💡Justinian
Justinian was the most famous Byzantine Emperor, ruling in the 6th century CE. He reconquered parts of the old Western Empire, codified Roman law in the Corpus Juris Civilis, and built the magnificent Hagia Sophia church.
💡Theodora
Theodora was Justinian's controversial wife, who came from a humble background and worked as an actress. She convinced Justinian not to flee during riots and expanded the rights of women.
💡Pope
The Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, God's representative on Earth. With no emperor in Rome after 476 CE, the Pope held supreme power in Western Europe, which would shape history for centuries.
💡Patriarch
The Patriarch was the head of the Orthodox Church, appointed by the Byzantine Emperor. This avoided clashes over power like those between Popes and kings in Catholic Western Europe.
💡Caesaropapism
Caesaropapism refers to the Eastern Orthodox model where the secular Emperor had authority over the church Patriarch. This contrasted with tensions in Catholic Western Europe between church and state.
💡Corpus Juris Civilis
The Corpus Juris Civilis was the great collection of Roman law commissioned by Justinian. It condensed and preserved Roman legal principles, which remain influential in modern civil law.
💡Hagia Sophia
The Hagia Sophia was the magnificent church built in Constantinople under Justinian in the 6th century CE. Its huge dome was an architectural triumph and symbolized the wealth and grandeur of Byzantium.
Highlights

Rome didn't really fully fall until the middle of the 15th century

After 476 CE, there was never again a Roman emperor in Rome

The decline of the legions started long before Rome started getting sacked

This was a recipe for civil war, and that's exactly what happened

The Eastern Roman Empire is commonly known as the Byzantine Empire

The Byzantines considered themselves Romans

War was pretty much constant as the Byzantines fought the Persian Sassanian Empire

Justinian published the Digest, an 800,000-word condensation of 1,528 Latin law books

Theodora began her career as an actress and possible prostitute before becoming Empress

The Byzantines followed a different form of Christianity - Eastern or Greek Orthodox

The main doctrinal difference had to do with the dating of Easter

There was tension between Popes and kings over who should have real power

The Roman Empire survived for a thousand years after leaving Rome

It survives in football rivalries with roots in religious conflicts

Justinian law code continues to be the basis for much of civil law in Europe

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Justinian and the Byzantine Empire | World History | Khan Academy

Comparing Roman and Byzantine Empires | AP US History | Khan Academy

The Middle Ages|part 5 | Oxford world watch History 2

Overview of the Roman Empire | World History | Khan Academy

Great Schism: The Bitter Rivalry Between Greek and Latin Christianity

Great Schism or East-West Schism part 1 | World History | Khan Academy

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating: