The Age of Attila
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• Theodosius the great dies in 395 – last ruler of a united Roman Empire.
• Arcadius Emp. In East and Honorius in the West. Stagnation in trade between the two, increasing religious divisions – even family ties lessening. Each had their own problems and East soon stopped aiding the west – also deflects attacks onto west.
• No hereditary monarchy, but army has the real control due to power to beat / support usurpers.
• Senate itself non powerful, but senators were in a good position. Sons may get praetorship – duty to prepare exhibitions and games. Complex structure – surely bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• FOEDERATI –many Germanic peoples into the army, even whole tribes were assimilated.
• The East relies less on foreign troops in comp. West. Babas still a threat to the East, but historical threat from mistakenly named Parthia (Persia), but in this period peaceful (except 422, and 441). Paid tribute to protect Caspian Gates
• Not without problems in Africa – Egypt rebellion 451
• Internal dissension caused by three things
• 1. Religious Factionalism 2. Economic difficulties. 3. Ambitious and unscrupulously powerful figures.
• Prime example is heresy of Arianism – linked to whether Christ and God same thing. Condemned by Council of Nicea in 325 – friction with Arian based tribes
• 451 4^th Ecumenical Council. East has ecumenical peace, whilst schism in the west.
• Severe economic difficulties: over taxation, unequal distribution of wealth, subsidies to the frontiers etc, very unequal wealth.
• Taxation over burdens the rural population, aristos get round tax.
• Most internal trouble inspired by Barbarian Generals in the empire.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Ancient Cities
2. Carolignian Period
3. Charles the Bald
4. Chronology of Byzantium and Persia
5. Dynasty of Theodosius I and Barbarians in the West
6. French and British Agriculture
7. Islamic Conquests up to 700 a.d. - Islamic Strenghts / Roman Weaknesses?
8. Islamic Conquests up to 700 a.d. - Islamic Strenghts / Roman Weaknesses?
9. MOHAMMED, CHARLEMAGEN AND THE ORIGINS OF EUROPE
10. New Centres of Power in the 8th and Ninth Century
11. Peace and War - Rome and Persia - 5-7th Centuries
12. Practice Questions
13. The Age of Attila
14. The Decline of the Ancient World
15. The Mediterranean and the Dilemma of the Roman Empire in Late antiquity
16. Warfare
17. Was successful Kingship in Merovingian Gaul simply a matter of being an effective and lucky war lead
18. Why did the western empire fall when the east survived?

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