The End of the empire What goes up must come down
Problems in the Empire At it’s height the Roman Empire ruled all of the land around the Mediterranean Sea. But by the late 100’s emperors had to give up some land. – Rome had to defend itself constantly from attacks from the north and the east. – Problems came from within the empire, too. – Other - Disease killed many people. Taxes were high. Food was scarce because many farmers went to war. To increase food production, Germanic farmers were invited to work on Roman lands, but they were not loyal to Rome.
Quick Question Name three problems facing the Roman Empire around 200.
The emperor Diocletian took power in the late 200’s. He ruled the east himself and chose a co-emperor to rule the west. The emperor Constantine reunited the empire for a short time. He moved the capital from Rome to Constantinople in the east.
Quick Question Do you think Diocletian’s decision to divide the Roman Empire made sense? Why or why not?
The Decline of Rome Once the capital moved to the east, barbarians attacked Roman territory in the North. During the late 300s, an Asian group called the Huns began attacking the Goths. The Goths were forced into Roman territory. In the end, the Goths broke through into Italy and destroyed Rome.
The Vandals, Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Franks all invaded Roman territory in the west. The Huns under Attila raided in the East. In 476 a barbarian leader overthrew the Roman emperor and became king. This ended the western empire.
A famous phrase says, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
A New Eastern Empire As Rome fell, the eastern empire prospered. Justinian ruled the east in the 500s. He wanted to reunite the Roman Empire. His armies recaptured Italy. He was respected for making laws more fair. But he made enemies who tried to overthrow him. Justinian got advice from his wife Theodora and was able to keep his throne. Despite Justinian’s success, the empire declined for 700 years. In 1453 Constantinople was defeated by the Ottoman Turks.
Quick Question Who was Justinian’s most trusted advisor?
People in the eastern empire began to follow non-Roman influences. The Byzantine Empire developed in the east. This empire practiced Christianity differently than Romans. In the 1000s, the church split in two. In the east the Eastern Orthodox Church formed. Thus religion further divided eastern and western Europe.
Quick Question Some historians believe that the well-known historical division between the “eastern” and “western” worlds begins in Byzantine culture. Do you think this is so? Why or why not?
My Notes in Pictures Directions: – Fill in the following comic strip with events from the notes. – Have it begin with Diocletian taking power in the late 200s and end with the development of the Byzantine Empire. – Make each bullet point, aside from the questions and titles, a square in the boxes below. You may have to summarize in order to fit all of the information in but make sure between your brief description and pictures the important details are there. – Don’t forget the back side.
HINT!!! Make sure that you start where you are supposed to start and end where you are supposed to end. – Writing your brief descriptions before drawing any pictures will make sure you won’t have to go back and erase.
The Back Side You are going to be drawing a picture for each problem that led to the Decline of the Empire. Make sure that you label each problem. Don’t forget to answer the question in the last box.
Remember… If you don’t have your notes and handout tomorrow you will have to start all over. Make sure you bring everything you need to class with you. Make sure you have your colors tomorrow. I will not let you leave class to go and get them. Also, your homework tonight is to study Vocab Chapter 11 section 2 and 3 for your vocabulary quiz tomorrow!!!!! The Notes in Pictures will be due at the end of class tomorrow. You will have to work diligently in order to finish on time.