Standard VI: Trace the expansion of the Roman Republic and its transformation into an empire, including key geographic, political, and economic elements.
• Interpreting spatial distributions and patterns of the Roman Republic using geographic tools and
technologies.
Standard VII: Describe the widespread impact of the Roman Empire.
• Tracing important aspects of the diffusion of Christianity, including its relationship to Judaism, missionary
impulse, organizational development, transition from persecution to acceptance in the Roman Empire,
and church doctrine.
• Explaining the role of economics, societal changes, Christianity, political and military problems, external
factors, and the size and diversity of the Roman Empire in its decline and fall.
Standard IX: Describe the rise of the Byzantine Empire, its institutions, and its legacy, including the influence of the Emperors Constantine and Justinian and the effect of the Byzantine Empire on art, religion, architecture, and law.
• Identifying factors leading to the establishment of the Eastern Orthodox Church.