Fall Of The Roman Empire Mr. Ermer World History Miami Beach Senior High

Roman Decline The last of the Five Good Emperors—Marcus Aurelius dies in A.D. 180 The last of the Five Good Emperors—Marcus Aurelius dies in A.D. 180 Civil wars follow for next 13 years Civil wars follow for next 13 years Emperor Septimius Severus told his sons: “pay the soldiers, ignore everyone else” Emperor Septimius Severus told his sons: “pay the soldiers, ignore everyone else” Severan emperors known for militaristic rule, and brutality Severan emperors known for militaristic rule, and brutality : Throne held by whoever can take it by force : Throne held by whoever can take it by force 22 emperors of this period, most die violently 22 emperors of this period, most die violently Constant invasion also caused problems Constant invasion also caused problems

Economic & Military Problems 3 rd Century: Invasions, civil wars and plague almost ruins Roman economy 3 rd Century: Invasions, civil wars and plague almost ruins Roman economy Plague causes less people to trade & soldiers Plague causes less people to trade & soldiers Farm production down, armies ravage them Farm production down, armies ravage them Money loses value Money loses value No money to recruit and pay soldiers No money to recruit and pay soldiers Germans fill in the gap, but have little loyalty to generals, or the empire Germans fill in the gap, but have little loyalty to generals, or the empire

Diocletian & Constantine Introduce Late Roman Empire with new governmental, economic and social structures—along with new religion + Introduce Late Roman Empire with new governmental, economic and social structures—along with new religion + Diocletian believes empire too big to rule, divides empire into four parts, each ruled by own ruler—emperor still highest auth. Diocletian believes empire too big to rule, divides empire into four parts, each ruled by own ruler—emperor still highest auth. Bureaucracy expanded, army reorganized Bureaucracy expanded, army reorganized Wage and price controls to help inflation Wage and price controls to help inflation

New Empire=New Capital Constantine builds new capital city in east Constantine builds new capital city in east Picks site of old Greek city Byzantium Picks site of old Greek city Byzantium Renames city “Constantinople” (Istanbul) Renames city “Constantinople” (Istanbul) Had excellent strategic position Had excellent strategic position Became his “New Rome” and capital of Eastern Roman Empire, as the empire continues to split between East and West Became his “New Rome” and capital of Eastern Roman Empire, as the empire continues to split between East and West

An Empire Divided Cannot Stand Empire splits between East and West Empire splits between East and West Western capital=Rome Western capital=Rome Eastern capital=Constantinople Eastern capital=Constantinople Western empire under attack by Germans Western empire under attack by Germans : Huns, tribe from Asia, and pressures Germanic Visigoths, moving them into Roman territory, become allies of Rome against Huns—revolt soon after : Huns, tribe from Asia, and pressures Germanic Visigoths, moving them into Roman territory, become allies of Rome against Huns—revolt soon after 410: Visigoths sack Rome 410: Visigoths sack Rome 455: Vandals sack Rome 455: Vandals sack Rome

The Fall of Rome A.D. 476: Emperor Romulus Augustulus is the last emperor of Rome, deposed by German general A.D. 476: Emperor Romulus Augustulus is the last emperor of Rome, deposed by German general Germanic kingdoms replace empire Germanic kingdoms replace empire Eastern, Byzantine Empire survives Eastern, Byzantine Empire survives The Byzantine Empire lasts another 1,000 yrs The Byzantine Empire lasts another 1,000 yrs Many reasons are given for the fall of Rome, none fully explain it. Many reasons are given for the fall of Rome, none fully explain it.

Reasons Given For Fall of Empire: Christianity’s embrace of spiritual life Christianity’s embrace of spiritual life Non-Italians eroding Roman values Non-Italians eroding Roman values Lead poisoning causes mental decline Lead poisoning causes mental decline Plague kills 1/10 of population Plague kills 1/10 of population Failure to advance technology b/c of slavery Failure to advance technology b/c of slavery Inadequate political system for large empire Inadequate political system for large empire

Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Review: On page 30, write and answer questions 1-5