Roman Empire Quotes
The Christian world was in a great struggle with Islam. The Sultans were trying to take over Constantinople—the seat of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Western Catholic Church in Rome also yearned for unification but under the Pope and his Cardinals. Notaraus feared them more than the Ottomans. Howeer, it was the latter who conquered Constantinople (Byzantium) in 1453 and executed the “first family” when Notaras would not deliver his children to Sultan Mehmet as hostages for assuring “good behavior” by the Greek community.
Augustus was a great builder and patron of the arts.
The Ottoman Turks had already conquered the Eastern Roman empire outside of Byzantium. They had overwhelming superiority and it was just a matter of time when they would take the city. Surrender would have been the sensible course, but religious passion against surrendering the holy city capital of Christendom to the Muslims was dominant in the Emperor and some of the leadership. But the morale of most was very low—and for good reason. The Ottomans soon captured the city.
Describing the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70 AD.
The Roman Senate elected two Counsels who were the Executive of the State. Gaius Marius was elected Counsel 7 times making him perhaps the most popular politician of the ancient world. Prior to his law, only Roman men who owned sufficient land could join the army.
Constantine the Great. Roman Emperors saw Christians as their most dangerous foes. However, Constantine converted to Christianity and ceased the vicious persecution of the Christians. As politicians in many societies need scapegoats to blame for various problems, and the Christians were no longer available, the Jews then became the targeted scapegoats.
