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At its peak the Roman Empire did not have any similarities with feudalism or the feudal period. In particular, there were no lord-vassal relationships (these were the actual feudal system). The empire had a vast trading network and a strong urban economy based on artisanal manufacture for long distance trade. In the feudal period towns were small and insignificant for the economy, which was 'overwhelmingly' rural. The workers on the large landed estates were slaves. In the feudal period they were the serfs who were local small peasants. Moreover, public affairs were in the hands of the state instead of private aristocrats.

In Late Antiquity, with the decline of the empire, the Romans developed servile labour. Trade broke down, the urban economy collapsed and many people migrated to the country. These peoples were turned into servile labour, lost their rights and were tied to the owners of large landed estates.

Servile labour was the only feature similar to the feudal period. Feudalism was an entirely post-Roman development. The actual feudal system was the feud and the lord-vassal relationship. Higher aristocrats sought the military support of lower aristocrats in exchange of concessions of land (feuds). The lower aristocrats became the vassals (retainers) of the lord and feudatories; that is, the local landlords who owned the feuds/local lands.

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At its peak the Roman Empire did not have any similarities with feudalism or the feudal period. In particular, there were no lord-vassal relationships (these were the actual feudal system). The empire had a vast trading network and a strong urban economy based on artisanal manufacture for long distance trade. In the feudal period towns were small and insignificant for the economy, which was 'overwhelmingly' rural. The workers on the large landed estates were slaves. In the feudal period they were the serfs who were local small peasants. Moreover, public affairs were in the hands of the state instead of private aristocrats.

In Late Antiquity, with the decline of the empire, the Romans developed servile labour. Trade broke down, the urban economy collapsed and many people migrated to the country. These peoples were turned into servile labour, lost their rights and were tied to the owners of large landed estates.

Servile labour was the only feature similar to the feudal period. Feudalism was an entirely post-Roman development. The actual feudal system was the feud and the lord-vassal relationship. Higher aristocrats sought the military support of lower aristocrats in exchange of concessions of land (feuds). The lower aristocrats became the vassals (retainers) of the lord and feudatories; that is, the local landlords who owned the feuds/local lands.

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Q: How did feudalism differ from the system that existed while the roman empire was at its peak?
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What type of political system (government) existed under feudalism?

It was a "this for that" system. Rulers gave their people protection, and the people gave the rulers crops.... that sort of thing.


Did feudalism start in Europe?

This depends on the definition of feudalism. If feudalism is regarded is identical to manorialism, then it started in the places that had been parts of the West Roman Empire, when that empire fell, at the start of the middle ages. Another view of feudalism is that it is a medieval system for the control of relatively large countries with weak central governments, and by this definition, it started about four hundred years after the fall of the West Roman Empire, in France and the Holy Roman Empire with the division of the Carolingian empire.


When did the Feudal System start and end?

The date for the beginning of feudalism depends on the definition of feudalism being used. There is no precise definition that has been agreed on. At the broadest meaning, feudalism equates approximately with manorialism, in which serfs live on manors in mutual obligation with their lords. The manorial system existed throughout the Middle Ages, and is based to a large degree on the system of the villa (manor) with coloni (serfs) of the Roman Empire, as defined by an imperial decree of Constantine I in 325 AD. A narrower definition of feudalism is one in which lords have their fiefs in a state of mutual obligation with the king. This system arose at about the time of Charlemagne, a little before 800 AD.


A political and military system based on the holding of land?

Feudalism Every sovereign state


How did feudalism differ from the system that existed while the roman empire was at its pear?

The Roman Empire had a centralised government, whereas during the feudal period central governments in Europe were weak and regional aristocrats were powerful and able to raise their own armies. They often rebelled against kings. Feudalism was a relationship between lord and vassal. The former was an aristocrat and the latter was a knight who offered his military service to the lord in exchange for a grant of land to him, which was called feud. This kind of relationship did not exist in the Roman days.

Related questions

What type of political system (government) existed under feudalism?

It was a "this for that" system. Rulers gave their people protection, and the people gave the rulers crops.... that sort of thing.


Did feudalism start in Europe?

This depends on the definition of feudalism. If feudalism is regarded is identical to manorialism, then it started in the places that had been parts of the West Roman Empire, when that empire fell, at the start of the middle ages. Another view of feudalism is that it is a medieval system for the control of relatively large countries with weak central governments, and by this definition, it started about four hundred years after the fall of the West Roman Empire, in France and the Holy Roman Empire with the division of the Carolingian empire.


Where in Europe did feudalism take place?

If we take the widest view of the definition of feudalism, then we could say it was pretty much general for Western Europe for most of the Middle Ages after the seventh century or so. If we take the narrow view, that feudalism was a hierarchical system designed to provide quick action in large countries where a weak central government could not respond quickly, then feudalism existed in France and the Holy Roman Empire after the division of the Carolingian Empire, and in England briefly after the Norman Conquest.


What system of government was based on the exchange of the land for protection and service?

Feudalism.


When did the Feudal System start and end?

The date for the beginning of feudalism depends on the definition of feudalism being used. There is no precise definition that has been agreed on. At the broadest meaning, feudalism equates approximately with manorialism, in which serfs live on manors in mutual obligation with their lords. The manorial system existed throughout the Middle Ages, and is based to a large degree on the system of the villa (manor) with coloni (serfs) of the Roman Empire, as defined by an imperial decree of Constantine I in 325 AD. A narrower definition of feudalism is one in which lords have their fiefs in a state of mutual obligation with the king. This system arose at about the time of Charlemagne, a little before 800 AD.


Is feudalism still big today?

No it is not. Feudalism was a medieval system.


A political and military system based on the holding of land?

Feudalism Every sovereign state


What is the system of feudalism?

political


What is system of feudalism?

political


How did feudalism differ from the system that existed while the roman empire was at its pear?

The Roman Empire had a centralised government, whereas during the feudal period central governments in Europe were weak and regional aristocrats were powerful and able to raise their own armies. They often rebelled against kings. Feudalism was a relationship between lord and vassal. The former was an aristocrat and the latter was a knight who offered his military service to the lord in exchange for a grant of land to him, which was called feud. This kind of relationship did not exist in the Roman days.


Who was the leader of the religion Feudalism?

Feudalism was a social and political system, not a religion. It was characterized by a hierarchical structure where land was exchanged for loyalty and military service. There was no singular leader of feudalism as it varied by region and time period.


What European system evolved as the Roman Empire declined?

Feudalism evolved as the Roman Empire declined. It was a decentralized system where power and land ownership were based on a hierarchical structure. Lords granted land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service, creating a system of obligations and dependencies.