12/15 Focus 12/15 Focus – Events and conditions inside and outside the Roman Empire weakened it and led to its collapse in 476 AD. Important Terms: Important Terms: – Inflation, Mercenaries Do Now: Do Now: – What was the Pax Romana?

The Fall of Rome

Roman Decline Pax Romana comes to end when Emperor Marcus Aurelius dies Weak leadership could not solve problems facing the empire – Economic crisis – Increasing threats of invasion from eastern and western borders – 20 Emperors between AD All but 1 died violently

Attempts to Reform Rome Emperor Diocletian divides the empire into East and West Make the empire easier to manage Appoint a co-emperor Increase emperor’s power Make the empire easier to manage Appoint a co-emperor Increase emperor’s power

Attempts to Reform Rome Emperor Diocletian divides the empire into East and West Make the empire easier to manage Appoint a co-emperor Increase emperor’s power Make the empire easier to manage Appoint a co-emperor Increase emperor’s power Emperor Constantine moves the capital to the east Builds the city of Constantinople Closer to riches of the East Easier to protect from invasion Builds the city of Constantinople Closer to riches of the East Easier to protect from invasion

Factors Contributing to the Fall of Rome Political Social Economic Military Civil War and Unrest Public service seen as a burden rather than a reward Imperialism created enemies Division of the empire Civil War and Unrest Public service seen as a burden rather than a reward Imperialism created enemies Division of the empire Population decline due to disease and food shortages Apathy towards public affairs Lack of patriotism Rise of Christianity Population decline due to disease and food shortages Apathy towards public affairs Lack of patriotism Rise of Christianity Poor Harvests War plunder not coming into Rome Inflation Heavy tax burden on the people Large gap between Rich and poor Poor Harvests War plunder not coming into Rome Inflation Heavy tax burden on the people Large gap between Rich and poor Became expensive to defend large empire Roman troops became undisciplined and lacked training Relied on hiring foreign mercenaries Became expensive to defend large empire Roman troops became undisciplined and lacked training Relied on hiring foreign mercenaries

The Fall of Rome Immediate Cause: Invasions by Germanic tribes and Huns ( AD) – Romans referred to them as barbarians – 476 AD Germanic tribes attack Rome and overthrow the last Roman Emperor This is marked as the end of the Roman Empire

Did the Roman Empire Really End? Western Roman Empire collapsed in Europe Western Roman Empire collapsed in Europe – Collapse of strong central government led to the Dark Ages in Europe Eastern Roman Empire survived Eastern Roman Empire survived – Became known as Byzantine – Survived until 1453

Points for Discussion Identify two ways that Diocletian and Constantine attempted to slow the decline of Rome. What was the immediate cause of the fall of Rome? What can we learn as a powerful nation in the world from the fall of the Roman Empire?