whatis late antiquity? which religious and …

The fourth century was a period of cultural and economic changes. This period saw momentous developments in religious life; with the rise of Christianity and Islam. Emperor Diocletian (284-305) started to abandon territories with little strategic or economic value. He fortified the frontiers, reorganized provincial boundaries and separated civilian from military functions. Military commanders were given greater autonomy. Constantine consolidated some of these changes and added his own changes. His main innovation was in the monetary sphere. He introduced a new denomination, the solidus. The solidus was a coin of 4.5 gm of pure gold. His other innovation was the creation of a second capital at Constantinople.

Monetary stability and expanding population stimulated economic growth. All these developments resulted in strong urban prosperity. It was marked by new forms of architecture and an exaggerated sense of luxury.