The Fall of Rome For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world. Rome continued to expand to include 3 continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Roman Empire Expansion

Emperor Septimus Serverus 193 – 211 CE Senate’s power no longer recognized Authority came from the military. Emperor of Rome became an absolute ruler; dominus, or lord. Military generals became Emperors, tax collectors, and administrators. The Empire established by Serverus continued until 234AD Dark Years for the Empire.

A Difficult Period Foreign invaders….nibbling at the fringes of Rome.. No structure in place to appoint a successor to Rome’s throne. Result? Murder, chaos, civil wars. Armies and leaders fighting for control.

A Difficult Period Countryside Chaotic and tenuous (weak) Armies not only fighting each other, also taking from farms, villas and country estates to ensure their own survival. Led to Economic decline in the Empire…. Towns begin to isolate themselves…only trading locally…afraid to market produce in goods in next city …fear of being robbed or murdered by the soldiers

Decline in Trade Caused shortages and therefore inflation, money (coins) has less value …putting less silver and gold into them A near economic collapse in Roman Empire

Scattered Framework of Cities Each pursuing their own economic, social and political goals. The decline was faster in the western half of the Empire. This caused the emperors to give support to the eastern part of the Empire to try to save al leas half, instead of losing the whole Roman State.

Diocletian ( 284—305) and the Division of the Roman Empire These included splitting the Empire into two in order to be more manageable, creating a new system of Imperial succession to answer the question of who would be Emperor of the newly divided East and West, called the system of "Tetrarchy", or "rule of four", whereby a senior emperor would rule in the East and West, and each would have a junior emperor.Tetrarchy Diocletian believed that going forward under the current system of Roman Imperial government was unsustainable. He initiated a number of reforms to prevent a return to the anarchy of previous generations and maintain the viability of the Empire.

Political Causes Oppressive government, loss of popular support Increased government corruption Division of empire – Too large to control Internal power struggles – Lack of organized system of succession

Constantine ( ) Constantine is famed for his rebuilding of Byzantium as Constantinople (Constantine's City). Constantine is best remembered in modern times for the Edict of Milan in 313 and the Council of Nicaea in 325, which fully legalized and legitimized Christianity in the Empire for the first time. These actions are considered major factors in the spread of Christianity and helped to give him the title of the "first Christian Emperor."

Economic Causes Increase in taxes to support army and bureaucracy Reliance on slave labor Indenture of farmers to wealthy landowners Unemployment Welfare system

Social Causes Population decline caused by war and disease Decline in patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty Spread of Christianity Devotion of upper classes to luxury and self-interest Bread and Circus (poor)

Military Causes Poorly trained armies Army deteriorates Little loyalty among hired soldiers Threat of the Huns Series of Germanic invasions beginning in 3 rd century

External Forces The warmer climate, rich farmlands, and wealth of the Roman lands attracted the Germanic tribes. By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was overrun by barbarians. Germanic tribes from northern Europe crossed the Roman frontier and invaded Greece, Italy, Spain, and coastal areas of Asia Minor.

Attila the Hun Attila the Hun was King of the Huns (circa ). He was one of the most feared and notorious barbarians of all time. Sweeping west across the Rhine River into Gaul, Attila's forces fought the Romans at the Battle of Châlons in 451 CE. Against all odds, the Huns were defeated. Attila later died mysteriously, some say of a massive nose bleed. Attila’s retreat across the Rhine was the last victory achieved in the name of the Western Roman Empire.

Odoacer Odoacer (435 – 493), was the half Hunnish, half Scirian chieftain of the Germanic Heruli. He is best known to history as the man who deposed the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus, in 476. As the first “barbarian king” of Italy, 476 is traditionally considered the end of the Western Roman Empire.

The Fall of Rome Once the Roman army could no longer defend its borders, Germanic tribes began pouring into Europe. One Roman province fell after another. In 476 A.D., the Western Roman emperor was overthrown. Odoacer was then proclaimed king of Italy. The ancient world was drawing to a close.

Increase in taxes to support army and bureaucracy Poorly trained armies Division of empire Population decline caused by war and disease Little loyalty among hired soldiers Decline in patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty Reliance on slave labor Oppressive government, loss of popular support Internal power struggles Series of Germanic invasions Indenture of farmers to wealthy landowners Devotion of upper classes to luxury and self-interest Increased government corruption Causes of the Decline of Rome