1. Fall of the Roman Empire

2. Rome Massive empire in Europe, Asia, The Middle East, and Africa
Lasted from 27 B.C.E C.E. or about 500 years
Roman Culture, and achievements have effected the western world until this day

3. Why did Rome fall?? Political Instability
Rome had problems with peacefully transferring power
When an Emperor died, different groups fought over who would be the next Emperor
No system for picking a new ruler
Often times a new leader would be chosen based on bribery and fraud

4. Why did Rome fall?? Economic Problems
Very Very High taxes were needed to run the Empire
People were driven into Poverty
Trade and Business suffered
High Unemployment

5. Why did Rome fall?? Social Problems
Corruption in the Government
Government wasting money
Officials openly lying, cheating, and stealing
Decline in participation in the Government
People got fed up, so they gave up
Increased Crime

6. Why did Rome fall?? Weakening Frontiers
The Roman Empire was hard to defend because of its size
Invasions from Germanic Tribes (Barbarians)

7. The Roman Empire is split
330 C.E.- Emperor Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium….New Rome…..Constantinople….Istanbul
The Roman Empire is split in half
One Emperor in Rome
One Emperor in Constantinople

8. The Eastern and Western Empires
Invasions by Barbarian Tribes
410 C.E.- Rome itself is attacked and looted
478 C.E.- The western Empire falls apart into many small kingdoms
Eastern
Would continue for another 1,000 years
This Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire

10. Preview…..
Just because Rome fell doesn’t mean all the stuff they did also disappeared
In this chapter we will look at the ways that Roman Culture still effects our lives today
Art
Architecture & Engineering
Language & Writing
Philosophy
Law
Citizenship