Change over Time Essay - Rome

Change Over Time Essay

Rome 100 C.E. - 600 C.E.

Rome changed its Empire by Politics (Direct Democracy) and Religion (Christianity), and continued it by Social order (Slavery).

Rome changed Athens' politics from Democracy to Direct Democracy (Direct Democracy is voting with a state representative). Rome changed this because it needed representatives for most citizens who could vote due to the fact that they could not travel all the way to the Senate. Direct Democracy made it possible for the citizens of Rome to continue work on such projects as the Coliseum and the various roads that make up Rome's trading routes instead of traveling to the long distance to the Senate Building and manually voting. It also made voting much faster because voters were not getting to the building late. Direct Democracy made the economy go up as well because there were more people working on the voting days, including Farmers and Merchants. Direct Democracy was important because it led to more agriculture and more projects completed and benefitted the Economy.

Rome changed the polytheistic religion of the Greeks by making their main religion Christianity, which is a monotheistic religion. Rome changed to this religion because Constantine (the ruler of Rome from 272 to 327 C.E.) felt that he needed Christ in his heart to succeed in life. Christianity, at that time, was spreading rapidly from Europe to Asia and beyond. Constantine saw a chance to change his very ways of being, and he took it. Though Rome fell before Christianity was established, the new empire, the Byzantine Empire, adopted Christianity as its own main religion. Christianity was a huge change from worshipping many gods to worshipping one eternal and all-seeing God.

Rome continued its tradition of using slaves for many jobs, mostly the jobs that normal citizens feared because of the dangers and uncleanliness. Rome continued using slaves because it was cheap labor and they could get these slaves from war prisoners and poor citizens who can't afford much else. Slaves were an important part of the Roman social order because almost every citizen owned a slave, excluding some poor farmers and artisans. It was also important because most slaves were very good workers and listeners, so they could be made to do practically anything and be expected to do it well. Most slaves were treated pretty well considering other civilizations in the ancient world.

Rome changed its form of politics to Direct Democracy and its religion to Christianity, and continued the use of Slavery.