Rome’s Decline Chapter 12.2

A Troubled Empire After the Pax romana a century of confusion and violence followed Rome’s government was weak Emperors had to pay soldiers and when they couldn’t, they turned against the emperor Causes civil war – 22 Emperors in 50 years Economic Weakness Attacks lead to food shortages and disrupted trade Their money decreased in value - inflation

Invasions Diocletian Constantine Theodosius Germanic Tribes raided the western empire and Persians invaded in the East Walls were built to protect cities Diocletian Became emperor in 284 Tired to protect the empire and make reforms Failed – not strong enough as an emperor to enforce his will Constantine Emperor that moved the capital to Byzantium – becomes known as Constantinople Theodosius Split the empire into the western and eastern halves Western Roman Empire – Capital = Rome Eastern Roman Empire – Capital = Constantinople

Germanic Invaders Odoacer Visigoths Rome let them settle in their empire, but treated them badly The Visigoths rebelled Defeated the Roman Legions at Adrianople Alaric – attacked and defeated Rome Itself Vandals Attacked Roman lands and spent two weeks seizing valuables and burning villages Vandalism – named after the actions of the vandals Odoacer Took control of the western empire - end of the Western roman empire Ruled Rome for 15 years Killed by another German tribe and Theodoric took over Rome By 550, Germanic ruled territories replaced the western roman empire However, in the east, The Byzantine empire flourished