The Fall of the Roman Empire Ms. Zendrian

The Long Decline A time of conflict and confusion occurred after the death of the last of the five good emperors- Marcus Aurelius in 180 CEA time of conflict and confusion occurred after the death of the last of the five good emperors- Marcus Aurelius in 180 CE Civil warCivil war Those with power to take the throne didThose with power to take the throne did There were 22 emperors in 50 year time spanThere were 22 emperors in 50 year time span Persian and Germanic tribes invaded RomePersian and Germanic tribes invaded Rome

Economic and Military Problems Plague hit the empirePlague hit the empire Due to the plague many died- leaving no workers to workDue to the plague many died- leaving no workers to work Trade declinedTrade declined Armies were needed to control invaders- limited number of men due to plagueArmies were needed to control invaders- limited number of men due to plague

Reforms of Diocletian and Constantine Two rulers- Diocletian and Constantine- restored some order in a period known as the Late Roman EmpireTwo rulers- Diocletian and Constantine- restored some order in a period known as the Late Roman Empire Changes included:Changes included: New structure of governmentNew structure of government Rigid economic and social systemRigid economic and social system New state religionNew state religion Inflation- Diocletian set wage and price controlInflation- Diocletian set wage and price control Diocletian divided the empire into four separate unitsDiocletian divided the empire into four separate units

Constantine Constantine set up a new capital city in the eastConstantine set up a new capital city in the east City known as Byzantium and later renamed to Constantinople (present day Istanbul)City known as Byzantium and later renamed to Constantinople (present day Istanbul) Byzantium became center of the Eastern Roman EmpireByzantium became center of the Eastern Roman Empire

Invading Germanic Tribes The Western Roman Empire fellThe Western Roman Empire fell Huns moved out of Asia and into Eastern EuropeHuns moved out of Asia and into Eastern Europe Germanic tribes- Visigoths- sacked RomeGermanic tribes- Visigoths- sacked Rome Vandals invaded Spain and Africa and also sacked RomeVandals invaded Spain and Africa and also sacked Rome Eastern Roman Empire flourished under ConstantinopleEastern Roman Empire flourished under Constantinople

Other reasons for collapse Christianity’s emphasis on a spiritual kingdom weakened Roman military valuesChristianity’s emphasis on a spiritual kingdom weakened Roman military values Traditional Roman values declined as foreigners gained influence in the empireTraditional Roman values declined as foreigners gained influence in the empire Lead poisoningLead poisoning PlaguePlague Rome failed to advance technologicallyRome failed to advance technologically No clear line of successionNo clear line of succession The size of Rome was too largeThe size of Rome was too large The use of mercenaries- hired soldiers- weakened the defenseThe use of mercenaries- hired soldiers- weakened the defense