Order Description
What were the major factors which led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire?Essay length is to be approximately 2,000-2,500 words in length. A variation of up to 10% is permitted. Neither footnotes nor citations count towards word count however quotations are included.The essay will be assessed according to the following criteria:Ability to analyse significant social and political influences on the development of various western philosophical traditions.
An understanding of the social, cultural and political context to the development of the idea of the west.
An understanding of the historical circumstances and empirical details of the era under investigation.
An understanding of the political, cultural, social and philosophical issues facing the practice of historical research and historiography.
Utilization of a wide variety of source materials in research.
Correct citation of sources and construction of bibliography.
A creative and innovative approach to the topic as framed in their chosen essay question.
The ability to critically evaluate and apply their sources in answering their question.

Analyze and explain the role of religion and religious diversity in the social and political development of the Roman Empire. Be sure to include specific examples of the impact of traditional Roman religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam on the Roman people and the Roman government. Your essay should be constructed in the following five (5) parts.

Part I – Analyze the role of traditional polytheistic religion and morality in the early Roman republic. In your analysis consider the following questions: How did religion impact both private and public life? How did religion provide social and political stability? What religious morals did the Romans value and why?
Part II – Analyze the birth and growth of Christianity in the Roman Empire. In your analysis consider the following questions: How did the Roman relationship with Jewish subjects help lead to Christianity? What social and political factors allowed for the emergence of Christianity? How did the spread of Christianity effect social and political stability? How did the Romans deal with the expansion of Christianity and its Christian subjects?
Part III – Analyze the birth and growth of Islam in the Roman Empire. In your analysis consider the following questions: What social and political factors allowed for the emergence of Islam? What role did the geography of the Roman Empire play in the spread of Islam? How did the decline of Rome aid the emergence of Islamic empires? How did Jews and Christians feel about Islamic leaders and societies? How did the spread of Islam effect the social and political stability of Europe and the Middle East?
Part IV– Conclude your essay by examining the role of religious diversity on the Roman Empire and the development of the modern world. In your conclusion address the following questions: How does religious diversity affect the social and political structure of the Roman Empire? What role does the diversity of religion within the Roman Empire play in its ultimate decline? How is the religious diversity of the Roman Empire reflected in the modern world? How does the relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in the Roman Empire compare to their relationship in the world today?