How was the strength of the empire employed? More in preserving than in extending the empire. Mention a few of the events between the days of Commodus and of Augustulus, A.D. 180-476. 1. The rise of the second Persian Empire; the Sassannida; A.D. 226. 2. The appearance of the Goths.-They crossed the Danube, A.D. 250, and then for the first time forced their way into the empire. 3. The reign of Aurelian; 270-275. Palmyra, Zenobia, Longinus. 4. Various changes in the empire under Diocletian; A.D. 284. 5. Constantine makes Byzantium the capital; about A.D. 330. 6. Division of the empire between the three sons of Con- 7. Julian's vain attempt to destroy Christianity; 360--363. "Here begins the season of impetuous decline. The western empire was then loosened from its foundations, and the sea of Barbarians closed around it on every side." 9. The brief re-union of the empire by Theodosius, A.D. 379-395. Pagan temples were destroyed by him; 381. Arcadius, Emperor of the East. Rufinus, Eutropius. What year is remarkable for the passing of the Rhine by the swarms of the north? A.D. 407. The fall of the empire beyond the Alps. Mention the leading powers that pressed on the empire, and overthrew it. 1. The Visigoths under Alaric: Rome taken A.D. 410. Vandals in Spain, 415. In Africa: Genseric, 439. Vandalusia; now Andalusia. 2. The Huns, under Attila, ("the scourge of God,") invade Italy, 452. 3. The Vandals, under Genseric, sack Rome, 455. 4. The Heruli, under Odoacer, dethrone Romulus Momyllus Augustulus, A.D. 476. 5. The Lombards, under Alboin, seize part of Italy, A.D. 572. Pavia their capital. At what point are we now arrived? We are come to the close of Ancient History. We briefly review the whole Roman History.-Into how many successive parts did we divide it, from the forms of the government? Into three; the Regal, Consular, and Imperial periods. What did we call the Regal period? i. The Infancy of Rome. How did we speak of the Consular period? We viewed it in three successive portions. What did we call the first of them? ii. The vigorous Youth of Rome. What did we call the second of them? iii. The Manhood of Rome. What did we call the third of them? Mention each of them. v. From Augustus to Constantine. We have then, six periods: briefly characterize each. i. and ii. Struggling, rising, growing, strong. iii. Ambitious, victorious, a large empire. iv. Vicious, contentious, self-destroying. v. Splendid, vicious, hardly supporting itself, threatened with evils. vi. Declining, rent asunder, tottering, subverted. What was the world at the close of Ancient History? A moral and political chaos: all was full of convulsion, confusion, and change: but yet there were the seeds of light and life in the mass-a leaven from above. What has been viewed as the time of greatest calamity and affliction in Europe? The time that elapsed from the death of Theodosius the = ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. From Augustus to Augustulus (see page 287) we may reckon 476 years. We here take a view of Church History during that period; only noticing a few prominent or leading particulars; beginning with A.D. 64. A.D. First Century. 64. First Persecution; Nero emperor. 66. The Jewish war begins: Christians retire to Pella. 70. Destruction of Jerusalem: Titus. 81. Gnosticism prevailed; a mixture of oriental and Platonic philosophy, and (in some cases) of Judaism, with certain elements of Christianity. Christian virtue flourished both in theory and practice; the source or foundation of it being a simple and lively faith in Christ the Saviour of the world. 95. Second Persecution: Domitian. 96. Menander; Docetæ.-Cerinthus, a Judaizing gnostic. 100. Death of St. John about this time. Second Century. 107. Third Persecution: Trajan. Ignatius, martyr. 111. Epistle of Pliny to Trajan, &c., about Christians. Fasting on certain days became usual. 117. Fourth Persecution: Adrian. 129. Age of scriptural doctrine, simple worship, pure morals, and martyrdom. Causes of corruption; An attempt 1. To unite Christianity with Judaism: Ebionites, Naza renes. 2. To engraft oriental philosophy upon the Gospel: Gnostics, Manichees. 3. To incorporate a system of will-worship and asceticism: Montanists. 4. To bring down revelation to human reason: Antitrinitarians. 132. Justin Martyr fl.: 140. Celsus fl. 150. Gnosticism at its height. 157. Rise of the Montanists. 163. Fifth Persecution: Marcus Aurelius. 165. Justin Martyr put to death; 167, Polycarp. 170. Apologetic age. 176. Irenæus, Bishop of Lyons. 180. Christians are now divided into two classes, the Faithful and Catechumens. 188. Christian writers began to attack the errors of paganism, 196. Victor, Bishop of Rome, excommunicates the Churches of Asia Minor.—The Church of Carthage rises into eminence ;-Tertullian fl. Churches had been planted in Italy, Spain, Gaul, and The Doctrines of the Gospel began to be corrupted; and Third Century. 101. The sixth Persecution: Severus. We have seen the acts and sufferings of the Church : the clergy. 204. At this time flourished Tertullian, Origen, and Clemens. Ammonius Saccas, at Alexandria, founded 200-235, the Eclectic Philosophy, or Later Platonism: he tried to unite the Platonic and Aristotelian systems, and to blend this compound with Christianity. 215. Superstitious veneration for sacred ordinances. 222. First traces of Churches or distinct buildings for Christian worship. Several were erected about this time. 231. Christian Churches or congregations now existed in every province and city of the Roman Empire. 232. The bold speculations of Origen.-Progress of Montanism. 235. Seventh Persecution: aimed chiefly at the heads of the Church. 240. Foundation of the doctrine of Purgatory laid by Origen. -Multiplication of rites and ceremonies. 249. Eighth Persecution: Decius. Cyprian flies from Car thage. 250. Rise of Monachism: Paul the Hermit, of Thebes, and others retire to the deserts of Egypt from the Decian persecution. 252. "The unity of the Church" advocated by Origen. |