How Religion influenced the development of Civilizations
Throughout history, religion has played a major role in the development of civilizations. Religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism have spread to other kingdoms throughout the world by use of missionaries. These missionaries would begin with the upper class of a society until their message penetrated throughout the whole area. In most cases it was at a time when an area was crumbling as far as politics and economics. Early religions were used as a source of power and economical growth. After Marcus Aurelius' reign Rome's power and purpose began to decline. Several of the outer provinces were invaded by the mid 200's and at the beginning of the 4th century, efforts of renewal and realignment came about based in part on Christianity and absolute monarchy. The German invasions of the 3rd and 4th century found a Roman society that was already weakened by the burden of heavy taxes, decline in productivity, and instability at the top. Demoralization was slowed but could not be stopped by the efforts of Diocletian and Constantine. It was during this time that the new religion of Christianity gathered strength in the Roman realm. Christianity was based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who was born during the reign
Christianity and Islam both have strict monotheistic beliefs. Islam was influenced by Christianity when Mohammed made contact with the Christian missionaries in Mecca. By the 700's the missionaries of the Western Empire had converted many of the Germanic tribes and kingdoms, and the Byzantine missionaries had succeeded in the conversion of Eastern Europe. In the east, the government and population of the Byzantine Empire were strongly bonded by Christianity and a belief in the emperor as Christ's deputy on earth. Buddhism began in India based on the teachings of Siddartha Gautama whom became known as the Buddha or "enlightened one. During this time churchmen were often the only educated people in the area, and the only ones with some knowledge of administration and record keeping. The culture and language of these cities is known as Swahili. This new form of Buddhism was very accommodating to existing Chinese beliefs of Confucianism and Daoism. The Germans accepted Christianity for a variety of reasons including the desire for trade, internal politics and the recognition of the advantages that Christian law could give the ruler in his efforts to create stable dynasty. In 800 AD, Charlemagne became the first Holy Roman Emperor. East African City states were also influenced by the Islamic religion. This rise of Axum coincided with its conversion of Christianity. " The Buddha taught that everyone, regardless of class, could attain nirvana or release from human life. Islam has since been growing in the African kingdoms and has had almost the same impact there as Christianity did in the Germanic kingdoms. Approximately one-third of the worlds population, at that time, had asserted Jesus to be the Son of God and Redeemer of Mankind.
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