ABSTRACT
The restored Empire of Diocletian and Constantine was recognizably Roman. Nevertheless, such changes had taken place in the Roman world by the beginning of the fourth century that scholars generally identify it as the beginning of a new period of ancient history, called Late Antiquity. The economic advantage enjoyed by wealthy senatorial landowners and emperors meant the continued amassing of vast landholdings in a few hands. Nevertheless, the total amount of land under cultivation shrank in some areas. Particularly in the less developed and less defensible parts of the West, the invasions and civil wars of the third century had caused much hardship. The Christian Church became a major economic influence. Constantine first allowed churches to inherit property. By the end of the century, churches had acquired vast landholdings. Many wealthy Christians piously donated their land and wealth to their local churches or founded monasteries and church-run charities.
