For nearly half a millennium, the Roman Empire dominated Europe and the Mediterranean and was the most successful empire the Western World had yet known. To maintain their power, Rome utilized a sophisticated form of empire building that revolved around law, military strategy, and infrastructure. With the collapse of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D., Western Europe was left in a chaotic upheaval, which conveniently was solved by using the Roman society as a model. The legacy of the Roman Empire greatly influenced and shaped the Barbarian Kingdoms, Charlemagne’s Empire and the literature and arts of the Renaissance. With the decline of the Roman Empire came the rise of the Barbarian Kingdoms, which as the term “barbarian” hints, were rather unsophisticated …show more content…
When King Pepin, Charlemagne’s father, claimed the title of King in 750, it “opened the door to a revival of the title of emperor in the west” (Kidner, p. 259). Once Charlemagne assumed power, he took it upon himself to retake the title of emperor by claiming himself “king of people other than his own” (Kidner, p. 259). The last emperor to rule in Western Europe was a Roman and had died almost 400 years ago, but Charlemagne believed he had the right to be emperor, and wanted people to view his empire similarly to how people viewed the might of the Roman Empire. Further drawing upon the legacy of the Romans, Charlemagne wanted a cultural life around him that was reminiscent of the Roman Empire. This was achieved when he “created a court life that became known for its learning and sophistication” and “revived the study of the [Roman] seven liberal arts… which had fallen out of use centuries before” (Kidner, p. 261). Although Charlemagne tried to create a facsimile of the order and culture of the Roman Empire, his achievements failed to construct a permanent legacy for his empire, for once he perished so did the unity and order of the Charlemagne …show more content…
One area where admiration for the Roman Classics is evident is with the humanists of the Renaissance, whom “esteemed the works of ancient Romans for their literary qualities” (Kidner, p. 340). Francesco Petrarca, one of the most famous humanists of the Renaissance, “discovered lost works by [Roman Orator] Cicero” and wrote “to the ancient Roman as if he were alive” (Kidner, p. 342). Petrarch “emulated the style and content of the ancients with such success that readers took a new interest in the language and texts associated with Rome” (Kidner, p. 342). This fascination with the culture and works of ancient Rome only became magnified during the Renaissance, and the influence of Rome could not only be seen in literature, but also in the arts and architect of the Renaissance period. The Italian architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, “believed the ancient Romans had much to teach him” and the “art and architecture of Rome led him to develop the mathematical principles of linear perspective that the Romans had used” (Kidner, p. 345). The Renaissance authors, artists and architects attempted to capture the essence of the Roman classics and this reinvigoration of the Roman culture had a lasting imprint on the prestigious works of the
The year is 476 A.D. and the Roman Empire has collapsed after being overthrown by barbarians. Looking back, the causes of Rome’s decline can be separated into four categories, social, economic, military, and political. The social aspects of Rome’s fall are the rise of christianity and civil wars. The rise of christianity displaced Rome’s polytheistic roots which viewed the emperor as having a godly status. Pope and church leaders took an increased role in political affairs which further complicated governance. Civil wars also deteriorated the empire. More than 20 men took the throne in only 75 years and the empire was thrust into chaos. The economic aspects of Rome’s fall were high taxes from the government and labor deficit. The roman empire
During 243 – 476 AD, some of the main reasons that contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire were the dwindling population, economic problems, the reign of different Emperors, and wars with the Visigoths on two separate occasions, but eventually during the 4th century, barbarians penetrated deep into Roman territory. Barbarians were nations compiled of various...
Charlemagne is a known for his success to try to maintain his empire. This new empire will embrace the unity of Christian faith. Under Charlemagne, new lands are conquered and a Renaissance is embraced. He even tries to revive the Christian faith. Charlemagne is a man that hopes to be an inspiration to the next generation. These deeds of Charlemagne is seen in the Two Lives of Charlemagne. In the Two lives of Charlemagne, both Notker’s and Einhard’s goal is to portray Charlemagne as a man of good character, a man that accomplishes many deeds and a man that hopes to provide an outlet for the next generation.
The Roman Empire, unlike that of Charlemagne’s, with its wealth and power lasted for centuries. Although the Carolingian Empire did not withstand its rule, it made many advances under the rule of Charlemagne. He and Augustus both had a similar outlook; they both wanted the same thing – everlasting reign of their empires. They had strong and forceful armies as well as men who were ever so loyal to their leaders. Throughout the years, they worked to expand their rule and territory. A vast empire that would last for eternity is what was to be accomplished. Sadly enough, neither of their empires lasted through eternity. Both of the governments had been overthrown and defeated leading to the end of the vast
The Roman Empire was able to extend its boarders and create a civilization based on the cultural belief that they were the civilized people and all others were barbarians. Though many of the people in Rome were not well educated the elites in the Empire “would pass from forum to forum, s...
Rome was one of, if not, the most influential civilization in the western world. Rome once ruled the majority of the known western world, yet it was unable to hold that title. The Roman Empire eventually came to an end just like many other civilization, but the reasons for its downfall are still being debated to this day. Rome didn’t disappear overnight it was a steady downfall that consisted of several different symptoms. Symptoms that when combined together created the perfect storm to bring down the most powerful Empire in the world at that time, at least the western portion of it.
The collection Two Lives of Charlemagne contains two different biographies of Charlemagne who was a king of the Franks and a christian emperor of the West in the 8th century. The first biographical account was written by his courtier Einhard who knew him personally and well. On the other hand, the second account was penned by Notker the Stammerer was born twenty-five years after the king’s death. Even though these two versions indicate the same king’s life, there were many differences between the two. Einhard’s writing focused on the emperor’s official life and his military campaign. However, Notker provided more of a perspective about the king’s legacy and seemed more hyperbolic as well as mythical. This paper will compare and contrast the
2,000 years prior, the world was ruled by Rome. From England to Africa and from Syria to Spain, one in each four individuals on earth lived and passed on under Roman law. This Empire in the main century AD blended refinement with ruthlessness and could abruptly stagger from development, quality and energy to dread, oppression and eagerness. Romans had attributes that set them apart from each other set gathering of antiquated individuals. The Romans were viewed as a more propelled civilization, and are altogether known for their lovely architecture and art. Its society impacted the development of western human progress and its commitment was through its radiant state and domain. Ancient Rome impacted western development to an exceptionally
With the invasions of the Germanic and non-Germanic tribes, mostly from the north into the western portion of the former Roman Empire, there was already dissolutions of the political, military, social, and economic structures. They did have a high regard for the Roman culture and had no intentions to destroy it. The Greco-Roman culture combined with Germanic culture and Christianity had...
The Roman Empire fell to barbarian tribes in 476. The Roman Empire had lasted for many years and stabilized the European continent. What came about after the fall of Rome has been referred to as Medieval Times, or The Dark Ages. The days were very long and dark for many Europeans. Thousands turned to religion to help escape from the world. The Catholic Church flourished, and many writers were influenced by Christianity. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was written during this time.
The Fall Of The Roman Empire Rome was one of the biggest, most powerful empires in recorded history. Such an empire could not fall due to one factor alone in a short period of time. It was a slow process of decay. Many factors would influence the toppling of this Empire, such as social gaps, religion, economical troubles, and corruption in politics. Among all of these factors, one of the most obvious and major causes was the crumbling of one most powerful military forces in history, The Roman army.
The Roman Empire was incredibly large and successful. In the prime of the empire population reached up to 56.8 million people. The land they conquered amasses to an outrageous 1 million square miles. Their influence is so great that even now people can see their imprint in architecture, law, and even helping spread Christianity, the world’s most populous religion. These amazing facts also begs a question. How did one of the world’s greatest civilization fall? Well, the fall of Roman Empire in 476 ACE was aided by ineffective rulers, the crumbling economy, and the invasion of the Germanic Tribes.
One of the most common causes of the decline of an empire results from having weak military power and martial spirit. In order for an empire to be successful, that empire must present a strong will to fight or sacrifice property and life in order to defend its state. If an empire does not possess this characteristic, it often will quickly diminish. For example, the Roman Empire became successful because of the willingness of the males to defend the state. Shortly after, the males lost their willingness to defend and the empire had to recruit unreliable mercenaries to fight in war. Unlike the successful army of the past, these mercenaries did not have true loyalty to Rome. Because of constant warfare, the Romans had heavy military spending. The Roman Empire had become too large to control effortlessly. Families and soldiers in parts of the Roman Empire adopted local customs. The Roman Empire was made up not only of natives from the Italian peninsula, but it was also made up of barbarians from the conquered lands. The barbarians were very knowledgeable when it came to Roman warfare and military tactics. Corruption became widespread throughout the Em...
Roman art was also deeply influenced by the art of the Hellenistic world, which had spread to southern Italy and Sicily through the Greek colonies there. The Etruscans and Babylonians can also be seen as inspirations. “With the founding of the Republic, the term Roman art was virtually synonymous with the art of the city of Rome, which still bore the stamp of its Etruscan art” (Honour and Fleming,1999). During the last two centuries, notably that of Greece, Roman art shook off its dependence on Etruscan art. In the last two centuries before Christ, a distinctive Roman manner of building, sculpting, and painting emerged. Indeed, because of the extraordinary geographical extent of the Roman Empire and the number of diverse populations encompassed within its boundaries, “the art and architecture of the Romans was always eclectic and is characterized by varying styles attributable to differing regional tastes and the...
The fall of the Roman Empire happened after a extensive history of power. History’s biggest empire collapsed after about 1000 years. This occurred because Rome changed for the worst during the end of its time of power. Rome had 147 emperors throughout its time in control. There were also the good and corrupt times of Rome which all happened before the unexpected fall of the biggest empire in history. There are precise reasons for why the Roman Empire fell. The reasons the Roman Empire fell are that Christianity became the religion in Rome, the empire became too big, and overtime the empire decayed.