Chapter 11 – The Roman Empire Section 4 – Roman’s decline

Political Confusion Roman gov’t became weak as the Roman military became stronger. Thus, an emperor had to pay soldiers increasingly higher wages to keep their loyalty. When these payments could not be made these soldiers would assassinate the Emperor. In a span of 50 years, 22 different emperors took the throne. Most were murdered by the army or their bodygaurd.

Roman Society Many Romans did not honor traditional values like duty to country, courage, and honesty. There were more dishonest gov’t officials Less people of talent wanted to take office. Interest in education declined. The wealthy stopped paying taxes. To much slave labor.

Economic weakness Foreign invaders attacked farms and interrupted trade. These attacks led to food shortages, and prices soared. People had less money to spend so fewer goods were being bought. Merchants went out of business and workers lost jobs.

Economic weakness The gov’t started to make more coins but didn’t have the gold or silver to put in them. Therefore the coins were not worth as much. Farmers and Merchant had to raise prices to make a profit. This caused inflation – a steep rise in prices with a decline in the value of money.

Diocletian’s Rule Was a Roman general who became the emperor in 284 A. D. To stop invasions he built forts along the frontier. To rule the large empire he split it into four parts each with its own ruler. Reforms – He set maximum prices on goods and serves. He also ordered workers to stay in the job they had.

Constantine’s Rule General who took over the Empire. Reforms: Sons had to do the job of their fathers. He moved the capital west to Byzantium. He would rename it Constantinople after himself. He also allowed Christianity to be worshiped in the empire.

Theodosius’ rule Theodosius took power and realized that the empire was too large to control. He ordered that when he died; the empire should be divided into the Western Roman Empire with its capital in Rome, and the Eastern Roman Empire with its capital in Constantinople. Byzantine Empire. He is also known for making Christianity the official religion of Rome.

Invasions During the late 300-400 A.D.’s invaders started to impact the Romans. The Huns, lead by Attila were attacking the Germans in the west. The Germans were allowed to move south to live in Roman territory. The problem was that the Romans treated the Germans terribly. The Germans started to resent this treatment and eventually attacked the Romans.

Attila the Hun Attila was the leader of the Huns. Controlled a group of horsemen that were excellent at the bow and arrow. He mainly attacked the Eastern Roman Empire. He attacked for the wealth not for possession of land.

Invasions In 410 A.D. the Visigoths leader Alaric marched into Rome and captured it. He would leave after several days of looting. In 455 A.D. another German group, the Vandals entered Rome. They took 2 weeks seizing valuables and burning property. We get the word Vandalism from them. In 476 A. D. a German by the name of Odoacer overthrew the emperor. This was the end of the Empire.

Roman Influences Law and Government Language – Latin influences words we use today. Literature Architecture Christianity