The Fall of the Roman Empire

Why would such a great Empire fail??? Brainstorm ideas: Brainstorm ideas:

Military Reasons Germanic Tribes Germanic Tribes Hun people from Central AsiaHun people from Central Asia Large empire that invaded Rome from the north Large empire that invaded Rome from the north Attila the Hun ( ) defeated the Goths and Vandals before invading Rome Attila the Hun ( ) defeated the Goths and Vandals before invading Rome

Military Reason Weakened Legions (army) Weakened Legions (army) Hired MERCENARIES had NO loyalty to the Roman governmentHired MERCENARIES had NO loyalty to the Roman government Caused a lot of uncontrollable violenceCaused a lot of uncontrollable violence High Cost of defending such a large empire against attack (Huns, Celts, Visigoths, Vandals)High Cost of defending such a large empire against attack (Huns, Celts, Visigoths, Vandals)

Social Reasons As the empire grew, the number of poor citizens increased, which led to urban decay As the empire grew, the number of poor citizens increased, which led to urban decay Due to size of empire—loss of loyalty, patriotism, and duty to serve Rome Due to size of empire—loss of loyalty, patriotism, and duty to serve Rome People felt more secure under Barbarian rule People felt more secure under Barbarian rule Eastern part of the empire (Constantinople) was gaining more power Eastern part of the empire (Constantinople) was gaining more power Urban decay: cities were filthy, wooden apartments were falling apart, poor sewage lead to plague Urban decay: cities were filthy, wooden apartments were falling apart, poor sewage lead to plague

Political Reasons No system was set up to crown a new dictator, many assassination and corrupt naming of dictators No system was set up to crown a new dictator, many assassination and corrupt naming of dictators In 50 years of Rome, 25 emperors ruledIn 50 years of Rome, 25 emperors ruled 2 capitals (Rome and Constantinople) 2 capitals (Rome and Constantinople) East became more wealthy and refused to help the WestEast became more wealthy and refused to help the West

Economic Reasons Too high of taxes Too high of taxes Slave labor lead to unemployment Slave labor lead to unemployment Inflation (high prices and low money value) due to shortage of gold and silver for coins Inflation (high prices and low money value) due to shortage of gold and silver for coins Rome stopped expanding borders, which meant no more war “loot” coming in Rome stopped expanding borders, which meant no more war “loot” coming in

Diocletian’s Wages and Price Controls Wages per day Prices per pound Farm labor…24 denarii Sewer Cleaner..25 denari Carpenter…50 denarii Wall painter…75 denarii Artist…150 denarii Baker…50 denarii Pork….12 denarii Beef….8 denarii Sea fish…24 denarii Second quality…15

Diocletian Made Emperor in 284 CE Made Emperor in 284 CE He realized that the empire grew too large so he appointed a emperor in the East as well. He realized that the empire grew too large so he appointed a emperor in the East as well. Drove out invading Barbarian tribes Drove out invading Barbarian tribes Attempted to stop inflation and unemployment by controlling prices and wages Attempted to stop inflation and unemployment by controlling prices and wages

Constantine Crowned Emperor after Diocletian Crowned Emperor after Diocletian Remembered for creating a new capital city in the East: Constantinople Remembered for creating a new capital city in the East: Constantinople Died in 337 CE Died in 337 CE Empire was completely spilt in 2 by 400 CE Empire was completely spilt in 2 by 400 CE