1. The Long Decline of the Roman Empire

2. Crisis and Reform Hostile tribes on borders Pirates on the seas
Rome’s economy weakened
No new sources of wealth
Raised taxes
Minted new currency w/ less metals
Created inflation

3. Rome Under Attack

4. Military Turmoil Less discipline/loyalty soldiers loyal to commanders
Mercenaries
Citizens less loyal

5. Emperors Attempt Reform
Diocletian made reforms
Doubled size of army
Set fixed prices for goods
Divided empire in two

6. Constantine Moves the Capital
Gained control in 312 AD
Continued reforms
Moved capital to Byzantium
Renamed it Constantinople

7. Western Empire Crumbles
Germanic Invasions-indirect threat
Attila and the Huns-direct attack

8. Empire Ends
Last Emperor was a 14 year old boy named Romulus Augustulus
Ousted by Germanic forces in 476
Eastern half of empire continued
Evolved into Byzantine Empire
Cultural influence continued
Ideas, customs, institutions

9. Political Problems Violence, instability, corruption
never created an effective system for replacing emperors
Praetorian Guard gained complete authority to choose
Emperors were overthrown and replaced by generals
Ruled for a short time and then were overthrown again
Over a 100 years, 37 Emperors reigned, 25 removed by assassination

10. Economic Problems High taxes Inflation
After Rome stopped conquering new land, flow of gold and treasure stopped
Gold was still used to pay for luxury items
Less gold for currency meant that currency was less valuable
Merchants raised their prices
People stopped using currency and began to barter

11. Social Problems Decline in moral values High crime and violence
Prostitution
Self indulgent and lazy
Cruelty- Gladiator combat

12. Unemployment
Large estates with slave labor could produce more goods, more cheaply
put small farmers out of work
Thousands filled the cities, but no work
Free grain for bread had to be imported for 100,000 unemployed people

13. Urban Decay
Wealthy Romans lived in large houses with marble wall, floors with intricate colored tiles, and window of small panes of glass
Most Romans lived in small, dark, dangerous, smelly apartments with six or more stories called islands
Many were forced to live on streets because they could not pay rent

14. Rise of Christianity Drastic changes in society
Christians were pacifists-wouldn’t defend Rome
The Church was attracting able leaders instead of the government or the military
Money was being use to build churches instead of to maintain the empire.