Late antiquity

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Late antiquity is a periodization used by historians to describe the time of transition from Classical Antiquity to the Middle Ages in the Mediterranean world, Europe, and the Near East. The period is generally considered to span from the late 3rd century to the 8th century AD. This era saw significant cultural, political, and religious transformations that laid the foundations for the medieval world.

Historical Context

Late antiquity is marked by the decline of the Western Roman Empire and the continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire. The period witnessed the rise of Christianity as the dominant religion in the Roman world, the spread of Islam, and the transformation of the Roman Empire's political and social structures.

Political Changes

The late antique period saw the fragmentation of the Roman Empire into smaller, more localized political entities. The Crisis of the Third Century (235-284 AD) was a pivotal moment that led to the eventual division of the empire. The Diocletian Reforms and the establishment of the Tetrarchy were attempts to stabilize the empire, but the eventual split into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire became permanent.

Cultural and Religious Transformations

The spread of Christianity was one of the most significant changes during late antiquity. The Edict of Milan in 313 AD, issued by Constantine the Great, granted religious tolerance throughout the empire and allowed Christianity to flourish. The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD was a crucial event in defining Christian orthodoxy.

The period also saw the rise of monasticism and the establishment of various Christian monastic orders. The spread of Islam in the 7th century further transformed the religious landscape of the Mediterranean and Near East.

Economic and Social Changes

The economy of late antiquity was characterized by a shift from urban to rural life, with the decline of cities and the rise of large rural estates known as latifundia. The coloni system, where tenant farmers worked on these estates, became more prevalent.

Art and Architecture

Late antique art and architecture reflect the blending of classical Roman traditions with new Christian themes. Notable examples include the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and the Catacombs of Rome.

Related Pages

• Classical Antiquity
• Middle Ages
• Western Roman Empire
• Eastern Roman Empire
• Byzantine Empire
• Christianity
• Islam
• Diocletian Reforms
• Council of Nicaea
• Monasticism
• Latifundia
• Coloni