Knowra Late Antiquity Late Antiquity Late Antiquity is the transitional period from the later Roman Empire to the early Middle Ages, conventionally dated from the third to the eighth centuries. It saw Roman political structures transform alongside the spread of Christianity and the emergence of new societies.
Crisis of the Third Century : A period of political instability, civil war, invasions, and economic strain in the Roman Empire from 235 to 284. Its upheavals prompted reforms that helped define the later Roman Empire.
Roman Empire : An empire centered on the Mediterranean that ruled much of Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. Late Antiquity began within its imperial structures and traditions.
Augustine of Hippo : A Christian theologian and bishop of Hippo Regius whose writings profoundly influenced Western Christianity. His work joined classical learning to Christian thought during the empire’s transformation.
Nicene Christianity : The Christian tradition defined by the creed adopted at the Council of Nicaea and developed by later councils. It became the dominant form of imperial Christianity.
Corpus Juris Civilis : A collection of Roman imperial law compiled under Justinian in the sixth century. It preserved and reorganized Roman law for later Byzantine and European legal traditions.
Diocletianic Reforms : Administrative, military, and fiscal changes introduced by Emperor Diocletian in the late third century. They reorganized imperial rule after the crises of the third century.
Tetrarchy : A system of imperial government established by Diocletian, dividing rule among two senior and two junior emperors. It addressed the difficulty of governing the empire during a succession crisis.
Theodosius I : Roman emperor from 379 to 395 who made Nicene Christianity the empire’s official religion. His religious policies strengthened Christianity’s institutional position.
Arianism : A Christian theological tradition that held the Son subordinate to the Father, contrary to Nicene doctrine. Disputes over its teachings repeatedly unsettled late Roman politics and church life.
Early Middle Ages : The period of European history following Late Antiquity, conventionally spanning roughly the fifth through tenth centuries. Its institutions and societies developed from transformations already underway in Late Antiquity.
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