During the fourth century Rome struggled with ongoing wars, both civil and foreign, and a growing sense that the empire was two separate states. In the east the emperors tightened their control over the central government. They also spent money improving the military, which helped keep the region’s economy strong. Cities and towns in the east generally did well, while many western cities experienced continued economic decline, a trend that had started in the third century. The increasing focus on the east meant less money was spent in the west, and the west faced greater military threats. In some cases, western city dwellers moved to the countryside to work on estates, which continued to grow in size.
Constantine’s centralized government had created a growing number of bureaucrats-professional officials who worked in the government no matter who ruled the empire. The number of senators also grew, since Rome had a senate in both of its capital cities, and the western (Roman) senate expanded greatly throughout the century. In general, the empire’s society began to separate into a small group of very wealthy people in the ruling class, and a growing number of poor workers.
Out With the Old Gods
Theodosius was the last emperor to reign over both the eastern and western halves of the empire. He established Christianity as the official state religion and closed the old Roman temples.
The rise of the Christian Church gave its bishops growing influence over western Rome’s politics and economy. Constantine allowed the churches to inherit property, and wealthy Christians donated land and money to their local churches. With the new wealth they controlled, bishops helped the poor and built churches, hospitals, and schools. They also had some power in non-religious affairs, because they could decide some legal disputes in their area.
A bishop could also use his religious role to influence the emperor. Ambrose (c. 340-397), the bishop of Milan, twice confronted Theodosius over civil issues. He convinced the emperor to rescind an order for Christians to rebuild a Jewish synagogue. The bishop also made Theodosius perform penance (prayers that ask for forgiveness) after Roman troops slaughtered residents of a Greek city.
World History
