Title: The Fall of the Roman Empire [ushistory.org]
Headings: 6f. The Fall of the Roman Empire
6f. The Fall of the Roman Empire
Constantine and the Rise of Christianity
Why Two Empires?
Goth Rockers

Content: For the first time in nearly a millennium, the city of Rome was in the hands of someone other than the Romans. This was the first time that the city of Rome was sacked, but by no means the last. Constantine and the Rise of Christianity
One of the many factors that contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire was the rise of a new religion, Christianity. The Christian religion, which was monotheistic ran counter to the traditional Roman religion, which was polytheistic (many gods). At different times, the Romans persecuted the Christians because of their beliefs, which were popular among the poor. This 16th-century medallion depicts Attila the Hun, one of the most vicious invaders of all time. In 313 C.E., Roman emperor Constantine the Great ended all persecution and declared toleration for Christianity. Later that century, Christianity became the official state religion of the Empire. This drastic change in policy spread this relatively new religion to every corner of the Empire. By approving Christianity, the Roman state directly undermined its religious traditions.