The Fall of the (Western) Roman Empire

Introduction By 200-300 CE, Rome was facing a series of internal and external problems These problems would lead to a gradual decline

Cause #1: Geographic Size Difficulty of defending large borders Difficulty of administration Empire is expensive Roads, aqueducts, etc.

Effects of Geographic Size More soldiers More taxes More threats from Germanic people in Europe

Cause #2: Military Expensive to pay soldiers Army began to include non-Romans i.e. mercenaries- soldiers for hire

Result of Military Problems Number of soldiers increased Decline of discipline in the soldiers Armies become ineffective in battle

Problem #3: Economy High cost of defense (constant warfare) Higher taxes Government makes more money (with less silver)

Results of Economic Problems Devaluation of Roman currency Inflation Price of goods increase

Problem #4: Political Problems Civil conflict 28 emperors from 192-284 CE (5 in one year) Weak administration Corruption Pleasure palaces, etc.

Result of Political Problems Inability to defend borders Lack of faith in government Eventually, successful attacks by Germanic groups

Problem #5: Moral Decay Gap between the wealthy and poor Loss of dignity and morality

Result of Moral Decay Crime rates rise Respect for other decreases Loss of faith in Rome and the family Eventually the Christian Church rises Afterlife is comforting in a time of crisis

Problem #6: Invasions Germanic Migrations Attacks on the empire’s borders Attacks on Rome, 390s- 450s CE Visigoths, Vandals, Gauls, Huns

Results of Invasions Rome captured by Germanic groups Last Roman emperor (Romulus Augustus) overthrown in 476 CE (accepted date of the fall of the Western Roman Empire) Odoacer crowned King of Italy

Conclusions Over a 300 year period, the Western part of the Roman Empire declined This decline was aided by a series of internal and external problems The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) survived until 1453

Eastern Roman Empire survives: Byzantine Empire