Classical civilization suffered a great shock when the Germans descended on the empire and from its provinces carved out their kingdoms. Continue reading “Significance of the Germanic Invasions”
Significance of the Germanic Invasions
Breaking of the Rhine barrier – End of the Roman Empire in the West, 476 A.D.
After the departure of the Visigoths Rome and Italy remained undisturbed for nearly forty years. The western provinces were not so fortunate. At the time of Alaric’s first attack on Italy the legions along the Rhine had been withdrawn to meet him, leaving the frontier unguarded. In 406 A.D., four years before Alaric’s sack of Rome, a vast company of Germans crossed the Rhine and swept almost unopposed through Gaul. Some of these peoples succeeded in establishing kingdoms for themselves on the ruins of the empire. Continue reading “Breaking of the Rhine barrier – End of the Roman Empire in the West, 476 A.D.”
Angkor, Cambodia: Imposing buildings of the Khmer Empire
Angkor, archaeological site in what is now northwestern Cambodia, lying 4 miles (6 km) north of the modern town of Siĕmréab. It was the capital of the Khmer (Cambodian) empire from the 9th to the 15th century, a period that is considered the classical era of Cambodian history. Its most-imposing monuments are Angkor Wat, a temple complex built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II (reigned 1113–c. 1150), and Angkor Thom, a temple complex built about 1200 by King Jayavarman VII. Continue reading “Angkor, Cambodia: Imposing buildings of the Khmer Empire”
694 CE: Visigoth King Enslaves the Jews
On November 9, 694, C.E., the Seventeenth Council of Toledo convened, in the eponymous capital of Visigoth Spain, and passed a wide-ranging series of restrictions on the Jews of the kingdom. The rules and prohibitions were a continuation of an ongoing effort to lessen the influence of Jews and their religion on society, but ratcheted the pressure on the Jews up a notch by adding a new, political rationale for the measures. Continue reading “694 CE: Visigoth King Enslaves the Jews”
Beginnings of the dismemberment of the Empire – The rise of usurpers and the invasion of barbarians
Alaric’s brother-in-law Athaulf (Adolphus) succeeded him (410), and the Visigoths remained in Italy for two years longer, spoiling the land. In 412 they came to an understanding with Honorius, and Athaulf engaged to suppress the tyrants who had risen up in Gaul. This leads us to record the events which had agitated the Gallic provinces during the preceding six years. Continue reading “Beginnings of the dismemberment of the Empire – The rise of usurpers and the invasion of barbarians”
The Germans to 476 A.D. – Battle of Adrianople – The Visigothic kingdom
Our earliest notice of the Germans is found in the “Commentaries” by Julius Caesar, who twice invaded their country. About a century and a half later the Roman historian, Tacitus, wrote a little book called “Germany”, which gives an account of the people as they were before coming under the influence of Rome and Christianity. Continue reading “The Germans to 476 A.D. – Battle of Adrianople – The Visigothic kingdom”
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