The Great Divide: East Vs. West In The Roman Empire

Abigail Monjes Professor Riggs World History 1 10 November 2024 The Great Divide: East vs. West in the Roman Empires The Roman Empire, one of history’s most influential civilizations ultimately divided into the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire in 395 CE. The future of these empires would be shaped by significant economic, political, and social differences between the two. Through this “Great Divide”, the East was able to flourish and maintain stability under the Byzantine Empire. While the West struggled immensely with internal strife, invasions, and instability in its empire. Understanding the similarities and differences between the two is important as it provides valuable insights into the complexities of an ancient history

The church played a central role in social life, from providing education, social services, and moral guidance to the population, the church quickly became intertwined with the political system as well. The societal structures in the West were influenced by the decline of urban centers, family structures, changes in religious viewpoints, and social mobility. The Western Roman Empire experienced economic decline, which led to the shift towards rural living and the abandonment of urban centers. The growing invasions from barbarian and Germanic people and tribes disrupted urban life and were a strong contributor to the decline of cities. In the West, social mobility was also a heavy social aspect. Military service has become a key influence on social mobility. With soldiers gaining land, wealth, and status through their service to the empire, social mobility grew. Freed slaves also contributed to this social mobility, freed slaves could gain Roman citizenship and integrate back into society. However, they still faced social stigma and limited opportunities in society. Family structures such as the patriarchal society and marriage had a heavy influence on the West's society, (Lect.