3B: The Fall of Rome

Rise of Manorialism

Trade collapsed as Rome fell because of invading
forces attacking trade routes. Since people could no
longer trade for resources they need like food, they
moved to rural areas where they could find land to
grow their own food. People pledged service to
nobles in exchange for land that they could use to
grow food. This led to the rise of manorialism.

Split of the Church

The Catholic Church supported the practice of praying in
front of religious images known as icons. The Eastern
Orthodox Church saw this as idol worship and against
the Bible, so they split from the Catholic Church. The
center of power for the Catholic Church was in Rome and
the center of power for the Orthodox Church was in
Constantinople. Since some Christians stopped
supporting the Catholic Church, Rome lost power. Since
some Christians started following the Eastern Orthodox
Church in Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire gained
power.

Rome

Catholic
Church

Worship
Icons

Latin

Constantinople

Orthodox
Church

Do not worship
Icons

Greek

Holy Roman Empire

Byzantine Empire

Christianity