Essay Questions
Chapters 6 – 9
Western Civilization 101
Spielvogel

1.	 Explain the rise and the fall of the Roman Empire from the establishment of pax Romana
 to the fall, to include the introduction of Christianity as the state religion.  You must embark on a thorough discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the empire, the significant leaders, their accomplishments, and their failures.  In other words, tell me everything you know about the Roman Empire from pax Romana through the empire’s decline.

2.	 Explain the origins of Christianity, and then continue your discussion through the era of Christianity after it became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and continuing through that point where western Christendom and eastern Christendom separated.  Your discussion must include early church culture, administration, beliefs, and conversion practices.  You must also explain the contributions of various church leaders, beginning briefly with Jesus and ending with the iconoclast controversy.  In other words, tell me everything you know about Christianity and its effect on European culture.