1. The Fall of Rome

5. The Decline of the Empire
Emperors begin weakening in Rome
With no heir to Marcus Aurelius, emperors not sure exactly how to rule Rome
Economic problems begin as well
Trade begins to slow down
Invaders disrupt trade on land and sea
Gold and silver no longer in high supply
Farms unable to produce enough food
Rome needs money to pay for defense and other costs
Tries to raise taxes to pay costs
Also tries to mint coins with less silver
Causes inflation (coins lose value)

6. The Decline of the Empire
Military problems also arise for Rome
Germanic tribes constantly attacked borders
Persians also attacking eastern borders
Referred to invaders as barbarians – term for non-Romans
Discipline and loyalty to Rome collapse in military
Soldiers go back to being loyal to those fighting to become emperor – like the times of Caesars
Roman gov’t hires mercenaries – foreigners hired to fight
Problem is they are not loyal to Rome either; its just a job
Politics also declines in Rome
People lose their love and devotion to Rome
Holding public office is no longer an honor
Now its only a way to become wealthy
As costs rise, no one wants to hold office anymore

8. Germanic Barbarians

9. 4 Major Areas of Downfall for the Roman Empire
Weak/poor leadership of Emperors
Unable to run a large empire properly and keep control
Economic issues for the Empire
Not enough food or money to pay costs
Trade is being disrupted by invaders
Coined money with less silver to create inflation
Military problems of constant invasions by Germanic tribes
Also being attacked by other groups of barbarians
Military no longer loyal and forced to hire mercenaries
Political problems and lack of loyalty to government of Rome
People no longer want to hold public office

10. Attempted Reforms and Reformers
Diocletian tried to reform Rome
Doubled the size of the military – provided jobs
Set fixed prices for goods to try to control inflation
Ordered farmers not to abandon their lands
Persecuted Christians – need to blame someone
Most important: he divided the Roman empire
Divided it into East and West
East- Greece and east
West- Italy and west
He took control of East, gave West to another leader
Plan works for short time, then civil war breaks out again in Rome

11. Western Roman Empire
Eastern Roman Empire

12. Constantine Makes Changes to Rome
Takes power following Diocletian
Constantine reunites the empire in 324 AD
Moves the capital to the eastern side
No longer Rome as the capital
Moves it to the city of Byzantium, renames it Constantinople after himself in 330 AD
The west finally taken and Rome falls 476 AD
Overrun by Germanic tribes- (Huns, Angles, etc.)

13. Germanic Tribes and Attila the Hun
Numerous Germanic tribes attacked Rome
Angles and Saxons took England
Other Viking groups took further north
The Huns- Germanic tribe led by Attila
Attila attacked both sides of the empire
Took most of the land, except for Constantinople
The Western half was gone; the Eastern half becomes the Byzantine Empire

14. The End of Western Rome Rome is attacked numerous times
Constant attacks and lack of leadership end Western Roman Empire
Capital is moved to Byzantium, then changed to Constantinople
Western Roman Empire ends 476AD