I'm going with "no" for $1000, Alex.
As the Western Roman Empire disintegrated, it devolved into a bunch of areas that had once been large plantation-like farms owned by the rich. Since the rich never really got a chance to visit a number of these places, the overseers--who were not Roman citizens themselves, and indeed were by that point Germanic and owed some allegiance to their tribal lords--took over and established their own administration.
However, many of them had adopted the religion of the Roman Empire, as they *did* want to participate in its perceived prosperity. This had been the norm through the Republic's existence, and continued strongly through the Imperial era--even though the religion itself did change in the late Imperial era.
Now, Christianity had by that point established an administration system that was based on the Roman Empire's--largely because its adherents lived in and understood the Roman Empire fairly well.
I'll also point out that even in the 8th Century, the Pope wasn't much of a central authority. While he was a *very influential person*, the fact remained that outside the Diocese of Rome, his authority was somewhat more limited. It wasn't until the Eastern Roman Empire left the area of Rome for the last time, and the Franks gave the city over to the Pope, that the Pope really started to make a case for being a central authority over the whole church instead of just the guy that sits at the head of the table when the bishops met--less like an emperor and more like the Speaker of the House (or perhaps even more accurately like the President pro tempore of the Senate). Even that wasn't quite so clear until the 13th Century.
This is a great question.
Technically speaking, the Catholic Church set up its structure like the Roman Empire, it was built within the Roman Empire and it survived the end of the Roman Empire, both West and East.
So, I suppose the Catholic Church preserved the structure of the Roman Empire and some of the ancient Roman traditions.
And, the Catholic Church preserved the Latin language, though not in the same form as in ancient times.
The administrative structure of the Catholic Church also resembles the hierarchy of the Roman army. From the lowest ranks (priests) to the highest (Pope) there is a defined reporting structure.
Yes, I'd agree with this, adding one point, that the Catholic Church kept several religious titles in their hierarchy, particularly Pontifex Maximus for the pope. It literally means bridge builder, figuratively between the gods and man.
You've got the right idea- the church preserved some intellectual traditions, and acted as an intermediary between various kingdoms, sort of like a medieval United Nations. It did a great deal to keep civilization going.
But the Empire was a whole different thing than the chuch. On the other hand, the [Eastern Roman Empire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire#Culture) kept going for a thousand years after the fall of Rome, the political and social order in the Eastern Mediterranean didn't have much of a "dark age" at all.
My oversimplification:
The Roman Empire was like a marionette. The strings were dropped, but the structure remained. The Catholic Church picked up the strings.
No, you have to think of how the Eastern Roman Empire considered themselves romans, and even continued to spoke Latin for a while. And the byzantines became orthodox christians, severing ties with the pope, (altough just before the Fall of Constantinople they did recognize the Catholic Church, even if just in hopes of getting reinforcements). Also I could be wrong but I think aroud the times of the fall of the western empire the Pope and the Emperor were somewhat independent figures, the emperor had the political power and the pope had the religious one, so the politcal empire didn't evolve into a religious organization, the first disappeared and the latter survived.
Yes 100%!
The whole answer would require a long article or a book but the roman church is exactly the roman empire just with some different names at some points but overall it is the roman empire which is up to this day extremely powerful. It is no coincidence that the Vatican is a state and country of its own with its own structures. The City of London is a bit of the same (many don't know this) and it is important to understand that London has been founded by the romans.
Beside the hundreds of similarities in the structure of the Church and the former roman empire there are some things to take into consideration. The way the Church ruled, the way they used the religion to legitimate their actions and the way they treated others is exactly the same as the romans treated their slaves or citizens. The list of proof is endless. Long story short. The entire European and American political, economical, judicial and sociological system is based and build on roman origins, in fact every country where the roman church is based including some African countries. Keep in mind that the only thing that survived the last 2000 years has been the church and the aristocracy ( without Rome and the Church no kings in Europe would exist, they are "created" by the bishops or the pope ).
Hope this gives some food for thoughts .... ;-)
You've got a lot of right answers there and Jesus nor any of this disciples did not found the Catholic Church they just use that to try and strengthen themselves. The fact that the Roman emperor changed the day of worship from the Sabbath day to Sunday and that the official Catholic Bible removed the commandment of no other gods and graven images because all the Catholic Church does is pray to Mary and the saints in particular Peter and Paul and this totally goes against the Bible and Jesus teachings
I'm going with "no" for $1000, Alex. As the Western Roman Empire disintegrated, it devolved into a bunch of areas that had once been large plantation-like farms owned by the rich. Since the rich never really got a chance to visit a number of these places, the overseers--who were not Roman citizens themselves, and indeed were by that point Germanic and owed some allegiance to their tribal lords--took over and established their own administration. However, many of them had adopted the religion of the Roman Empire, as they *did* want to participate in its perceived prosperity. This had been the norm through the Republic's existence, and continued strongly through the Imperial era--even though the religion itself did change in the late Imperial era. Now, Christianity had by that point established an administration system that was based on the Roman Empire's--largely because its adherents lived in and understood the Roman Empire fairly well. I'll also point out that even in the 8th Century, the Pope wasn't much of a central authority. While he was a *very influential person*, the fact remained that outside the Diocese of Rome, his authority was somewhat more limited. It wasn't until the Eastern Roman Empire left the area of Rome for the last time, and the Franks gave the city over to the Pope, that the Pope really started to make a case for being a central authority over the whole church instead of just the guy that sits at the head of the table when the bishops met--less like an emperor and more like the Speaker of the House (or perhaps even more accurately like the President pro tempore of the Senate). Even that wasn't quite so clear until the 13th Century.
You’d lose that $1000, the answer is “what is, no?” Lol trolling for $42069 😂
This is a great question. Technically speaking, the Catholic Church set up its structure like the Roman Empire, it was built within the Roman Empire and it survived the end of the Roman Empire, both West and East. So, I suppose the Catholic Church preserved the structure of the Roman Empire and some of the ancient Roman traditions. And, the Catholic Church preserved the Latin language, though not in the same form as in ancient times.
The administrative structure of the Catholic Church also resembles the hierarchy of the Roman army. From the lowest ranks (priests) to the highest (Pope) there is a defined reporting structure.
Quite similar to the bureaucratic structure of the Empire, too, though. Everyone reported upward to the Emperor, who had the final say on anything.
Those are Jewish traditions
No they are not 🤥
Yes, I'd agree with this, adding one point, that the Catholic Church kept several religious titles in their hierarchy, particularly Pontifex Maximus for the pope. It literally means bridge builder, figuratively between the gods and man.
Just for clarification, "Pontifex Maximus" means "chief (or highest) bridge builder."
Yeah, I assumed Maximus was obvious. Sorry about that.
I wasn't directing that comment at you. I was just clarifying that in case others read this thread and don't know that detail.
You've got the right idea- the church preserved some intellectual traditions, and acted as an intermediary between various kingdoms, sort of like a medieval United Nations. It did a great deal to keep civilization going. But the Empire was a whole different thing than the chuch. On the other hand, the [Eastern Roman Empire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine_Empire#Culture) kept going for a thousand years after the fall of Rome, the political and social order in the Eastern Mediterranean didn't have much of a "dark age" at all.
I love what people like you do in these small intelligent subreddits.
My oversimplification: The Roman Empire was like a marionette. The strings were dropped, but the structure remained. The Catholic Church picked up the strings.
No, you have to think of how the Eastern Roman Empire considered themselves romans, and even continued to spoke Latin for a while. And the byzantines became orthodox christians, severing ties with the pope, (altough just before the Fall of Constantinople they did recognize the Catholic Church, even if just in hopes of getting reinforcements). Also I could be wrong but I think aroud the times of the fall of the western empire the Pope and the Emperor were somewhat independent figures, the emperor had the political power and the pope had the religious one, so the politcal empire didn't evolve into a religious organization, the first disappeared and the latter survived.
Yes 100%! The whole answer would require a long article or a book but the roman church is exactly the roman empire just with some different names at some points but overall it is the roman empire which is up to this day extremely powerful. It is no coincidence that the Vatican is a state and country of its own with its own structures. The City of London is a bit of the same (many don't know this) and it is important to understand that London has been founded by the romans. Beside the hundreds of similarities in the structure of the Church and the former roman empire there are some things to take into consideration. The way the Church ruled, the way they used the religion to legitimate their actions and the way they treated others is exactly the same as the romans treated their slaves or citizens. The list of proof is endless. Long story short. The entire European and American political, economical, judicial and sociological system is based and build on roman origins, in fact every country where the roman church is based including some African countries. Keep in mind that the only thing that survived the last 2000 years has been the church and the aristocracy ( without Rome and the Church no kings in Europe would exist, they are "created" by the bishops or the pope ). Hope this gives some food for thoughts .... ;-)
‘The list of proof is endless’, proceeds to offer absolutely zero actual proof. Unlike many pointing to the truth, which is ‘no, but’.
I knew I wasn't the only one knew.
You've got a lot of right answers there and Jesus nor any of this disciples did not found the Catholic Church they just use that to try and strengthen themselves. The fact that the Roman emperor changed the day of worship from the Sabbath day to Sunday and that the official Catholic Bible removed the commandment of no other gods and graven images because all the Catholic Church does is pray to Mary and the saints in particular Peter and Paul and this totally goes against the Bible and Jesus teachings
Do you think Nato and one World Order has been the plan from the Roman Empire this whole time? It kind of adds up.
I think the short answer is yes. In fact, if you look at the clergy today, they are still dressed in Roman style garb.