The Fall Of The Roman Empire - 1216 Words

During the fall of the Roman Empire, the Church was able to stand tall and survive through the ruin. The power of Christianity prevailed as the glory of the city of Rome departed. The fall of Rome marked and epoch in the history of the west. Rome was no longer the city of Caesar, but it would now become known as the City of the Pope. The Catholic Church stepped in a filled the void left by the fall of Western Roman Empire. Several factors led to the papacy in Rome becoming the center of power. First, the church gained unsolicited popularity through the early relationships with the apostles. The office of the pope came from the apostle Peter who Christ gave authority in the church, a prominent leader and appointed as the guide for His†¦show more content†¦Another significant factor that assisted in the papacy becoming the center of power was the barbarian invasions during the fifth century. Leo I, who many considered the first authentic pope, was instrumental in persuading A ttila the Hun to not burn the city down or massacre the people in 452. But in 455 the city was captured by the Vandals, but again Leo I, was able to convince Genseric the King of the Vandals to not burn the city and spare the lives of its inhabitants. At the end of these attacks political structures and the authority of the government was left shattered. The church survived and thrived, while the government collapsed. The church would become the defender of justice and order. The Bishop of Rome was involved in regaining the stability and unity that had been destroyed by the barbarian invasions. The services previously provided by the government were now being offered by the church under the guidance of the Bishop of Rome; later would become the position of the Pope. People turned to the church not just for spiritual concerns but for education and for things such as food and supporting widows and orphans. As the Roman Empire was falling, society turned to the church under the leade rship and guidance of the Bishop of Rome leading to the rising of the Church to the center of power. In 590, after abandoning everything in 574 and becoming a monk Pope Gregory I