The Decline of the Roman Empire Ch 6 Sec 4

ROME FACES MILITARY UPHEAVAL Barbarians (All non-Romans) invade Discipline and LOYALTY decline Mercenaries – hired FOREIGN soldiers

Invaders Overrun Western Empire

INVADERS OVERRUN THE WESTERN EMPIRE : 376-476 The GERMANS invade from Asia Germanic Tribes from the North

INVADERS OVERRUN THE WESTERN EMPIRE: 376- 476 Attila the Hun attacked both Halves of the Empire in 444-455

Contributing Factors to the Fall of Rome IMMEDIATE CAUSES Pressure from Huns *Invasion by Germanic tribes (Barbarians) and by Huns Sack of Rome Conquest by invaders *Too big to control *Many corrupt leaders & politicians

Contributing Factors to the Fall of Rome Political Political office seen as burden, not reward Military interference in politics Civil War and Unrest Division of Empire Moving of Capital to Byzantiaum

Contributing Factors to the Fall of Rome Social Decline in interest in public Affairs Low confidence in empire Disloyalty, lack of Patriotism, *corruption Contrast between rich and poor

Contributing Factors to the Fall of Rome Economic Poor harvests Disruption of Trade No more war plunder Gold and silver drain – EXPORTS Inflation Crushing Tax Burden Widening gap between rich and poor and increasing impoverished Western Empire

Contributing Factors to the Fall of Rome Military Threat from northern European tribes Low funds for defense Problems recruiting Roman citizens; recruiting of non-Romans Decline of patriotism and loyalty among soldiers

Fall of Rome-Results *Immediate result from the fall of Rome was a period of disorder and weak central government=Middle Ages

Invaders Overrun the Western Empire: Fall of Rome Contributing Factors Political Social Economic Military Pressure from Huns Barbarian Invasions Sack of Rome Conquest of Invaders Immediate Causes Romans Empire’s Fall

Invaders Overrun the Western Empire: Fall of Rome Contributing Factors Political Social Economic Military Political Office seen as Decline in interest in Poor Harvest Threat from Northern burden, not reward public affairs Disruption of trade European tribes Military interference in Low Confidence in No more war plunder Problems recruiting politics empire Gold and silver drain Roman Citizens; Civil war and unrest Disloyalty, lack of Inflation recruiting non-Romans Division of Empire patriotism, corruption Crushing tax burden Decline of patriotism Moving of capital to Byzantium Contrast between rich Widening economic disparity and loyalty among and poor Widening gap between rich and poor soldiers Low funds for defense Pressure from Huns Barbarian Invasions Sack of Rome Conquest of Invaders Immediate Causes Romans Empire’s Fall