Emperors Divide and Reform the Empire
Emperors Divide and Reform the Empire is a Grade 7 history skill from California myWorld Interactive, Chapter 1: The Roman and Byzantine Empires. Students learn how Diocletian divided the Roman Empire to make it more manageable, and how Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople and legalized Christianity, transforming the empire.
Key Concepts
As the empire faced constant crisis, Emperor Diocletian decided it was too large for one person to rule. He divided the Roman Empire into eastern and western halves, each with its own leadership to make it more manageable. This was a major attempt to restore order.
Following him, Emperor Constantine continued to make big changes. He moved the capital to a new city in the east, named Constantinople. He also made Christianity a legal religion in the empire. These reforms brought temporary stability but also shifted the empire's center of power eastward.
Common Questions
Why did Diocletian divide the Roman Empire?
Emperor Diocletian decided the empire was too large for one person to rule effectively. He divided it into eastern and western halves, each with its own leadership, as a major attempt to restore order during a period of constant crisis.
What did Emperor Constantine do for the Roman Empire?
Constantine moved the empire's capital to a new city in the east called Constantinople and legalized Christianity, ending the persecution of Christians. These changes transformed the empire's culture and political center.
Where is Constantinople and why was it important?
Constantinople was built by Emperor Constantine on the site of the ancient city of Byzantium (modern Istanbul, Turkey). Its strategic location between Europe and Asia made it a vital center for trade and defense.
What chapter in myWorld Interactive Grade 7 covers how emperors divided and reformed Rome?
Chapter 1: The Roman and Byzantine Empires in California myWorld Interactive Grade 7 covers how emperors divided and reformed the Roman Empire.
How did Constantine's legalization of Christianity affect Rome?
When Constantine legalized Christianity, it transformed from a persecuted minority religion to a major force in the empire. Christianity eventually became the official religion, shaping the culture and government of the late Roman and Byzantine empires.