Ancient Rome Chapter Six

Rome Objective Trace the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and analyze its impact on culture, government, and religion

Setting the Stage… Third century A.D, Rome faced many problems = inside and outside of empire Drastic economic, military, and political reforms could possibly hold off collapse Romans borrowed and adapted cultural elements freely = Greek and Hellenistic cultures especially Roman art, architecture, language, literature, engineering, and law become legacy to the world

Fall of the Roman Empire Social Economic Fall of the Roman Empire Military Political

Economic disruption of trade = hostile tribes and pirates poor harvests = overworked soil reached limit of expansion gold and silver drain = no more sources of money inflation = created more money which causes a drop in value of money and the rise in prices crushing tax burden widening gap between the rich and poor Pax Romana came to an end when Rome plunged into a time of economic growth

Military army in disarray threat from outside tribes Germanic people, fleeing from Huns (Asia), invaded Roman territory (Empire) Attila and the Huns attack; do not take Rome though low funds for defense problems recruiting Roman citizens; recruiting of non-Romans mercenaries – soldiers for money = not loyal decline of patriotism and loyalty among soldiers

Social decline in interest in public affairs low confidence in empire disloyalty and corruption contrast between rich and poor decline in population due to disease and food shortage

Political after Marcus Aurelius had no idea how to deal with giant empire or growing problems political office becomes a burden not a reward military interference with politics civil war and unrest division of empire Diocletian splits empire into Greek-speaking East and Latin-speaking West

Political Diocletian takes East (wealthier) Constantine later unites empire under him after Constantine = empire divides East survives / West falls By building a new capital, Constantine shifted the center of Roman power leaving the western portion to decline moving of capital to Byzantium (Turkey) later renamed Constantinople

The Fall of the Empire (476 B.C.) last Roman Emperor Fourteen (14) year old Romulus Augustulus ousted by Germans Roman Empire was split in two! eastern half known as Byzantine Empire – ruled from Constantinople preserved Greek and Roman culture for another 1000 years

The Fall of the Empire (476 B.C.) ** Factors for the fall: division of the empire lack of discipline in the army growth of corruption in the government ** ** the Fall of Rome was the end of Roman civilization **

LEGACY… Greco-Roman Culture = mix of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman Art – sculpture from Greeks * Realistic not beautiful and idealistic * Mosaics * Frescos (large murals) painted on walls Architecture – arches and domes * Aqueducts * Roman Baths

LEGACY… Language = Latin remained official language ** Law = most lasting and widespread contribution * fair and equal under the law * innocent until proven guilty * punishment for actions, not thoughts * change laws that are unreasonable or unfair * everyone equal under the law **

LEGACY… Greek philosophy * Virgil – modeled epics after Homer (Aeneid – epic of Aeneas) History * Livy: multi-volume history of Rome = combined legend with history * Tacitus: accurate history or Rome = good and bad ** Laws / Language / Art / Architecture = Roman contributions to European culture **

Did Rome Really Fall????? slow decline people live the same afterwards Roman Catholic Church preserves culture turned into something greater - elements of culture still exists everywhere

Essential Question Describe how the world might be different if Rome had not existed. Write three complete sentences in the summary location on your note sheet

Rome Objective Trace the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and analyze its impact on culture, government, and religion