Ancient Rome The Fall of Rome

SSWH3 The student will examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE to 400 CE. e. Analyze the factors that led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

What was the Roman Empire? There were two periods of Roman government. Roman Republic 509 BCE-30 BCE Roman Empire 30 BCE-476 CE

What was the Roman Empire? Rome technically had an “empire” under the Roman Republic. But the term “Roman Empire” refers to the time period, beginning with Augustus, when Rome was ruled by emperors.

Roman Republic Republic = citizens can choose (vote for) their leader. Established 509 b.c.e. Only men with money and property could vote. Representative Democracy: The wealthy elected representatives to make laws for everyone.

Structure of the Republic 6 Patricians= landholding upper class Plebeians= farmers, merchants, artisans, traders Senate= governing body Consuls= two patricians PatriciansPlebeians

The Two Empires Western (Roman) Empire Ended officially in 476 CE when the last emperor, Romulus Augustus, was deposed by a barbarian, Odoacer Eastern (Byzantine) Empire Lasted until 1453 when the empire was conquered by the Ottoman Turks

Administration of a Vast Empire Empire included over 100,000,000 people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and places Rome learned to adapt its policies on a local level to fit the people of a given area Citizenship gradually extended to all free men of the empire

Administration of a Vast Empire Solid, strong bureaucracy that kept things running smoothly the majority of the time Empire’s administration run by countless proconsuls, procurators, governors, and minor officials Four prefectures, further divided into dioceses, then into provinces

Administration of a Vast Empire Strong infrastructure Facilitated movement by officials, soldiers, traders, travelers, etc. Tyre

The Fall of Rome Economic Reasons Gap between rich and poor Impoverished workers became tied to the land as coloni (sold as the land was sold) Fewer members of the lower classes could afford to buy goods (no purchasing power)

The Fall of Rome Economic Reasons manufacturing and trade declined Large estates became self- sufficient, further hurting manufacturing and trade

The Fall of Rome Political Reasons Decline in patriotism Democracy did not exist in reality Citizens lost their tie (voting rights) to the state Patriotism became based on loyalty to an emperor, not to Rome Most emperors did not inspire respect or loyalty Modern Mask-Rome: The HBO Series

The Fall of Rome Political Reasons East/West split Two empires created problems regarding loyalty No orderly succession Murders, forced suicides, and civil wars frequently accompanied the transition from one emperor to the next Modern Mask-Rome: The HBO Series

The Fall of Rome Social Reasons Population decline Hunger Plagues War Decline in intellectual culture Lack of dedication to public service and intellectual pursuits leisure time watching chariot races and gladiatorial contests Ancient roman society by Ray

The Fall of Rome Social Reasons Religious divisions Eastern and Egyptian cults took away the popularity and status of traditional Roman religion New faiths (i.e.Christianity) directly questioned and challenged concepts such as imperial divinity Ancient roman society by Ray

The Fall of Rome Military Reasons Reliance on barbarian troops Not ultimately loyal to Rome Could not be counted on to fight their fellow barbarians Interested in obtaining booty, not defending Rome or furthering Rome’s interests

The Fall of Rome Military Reasons Roman Republic Armies were servants of Rome Roman Empire Armies made and unmade emperors The sacking of Rome: The Visigoths (Germanic) 410- hired by the Romans b/c of plague. The Vandals , The Germainic head of the Army overthrew Romulus Augustulus Considered the date of the fall of the W. Roman Empire

SSWH3 The student will examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE to 400 CE. e. Analyze the factors that led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. List five facts which will help you remember this lesson: