- Compare and contrast the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire in the period just prior to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Why was the Eastern Roman Empire able to withstand the pressure of barbarian migrations, while the Western Roman Empire was not?
- How did conflicts and connections with neighboring peoples shape the development of the Byzantine Empire?
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THE SPREAD AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIANITY
- Is it more accurate to say that Rome was Christianized or that the Christian church was Romanized? What evidence can you present to support your position?
- Why did so many barbarian elites aid in the spread of Christianity in Europe? What does the receptivity of such elites to Christianity tell us about barbarian society and culture?
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- How did barbarian society and culture compare to Roman society and culture? Were there any areas of similarity?
- How were Germanic and Roman influences combined in the structure and institutions of the Frankish kingdom?
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LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD
- Compare and contrast Europe and western Asia before and after the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. What were the most important areas of continuity?
- How did the Byzantine Empire and the Christian Church lay the foundation in late antiquity for the subsequent medieval European civilization? What contributions did barbarian peoples make in this context?
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