1. Rome’s Decline
Chapter 12.2

2. A Troubled Empire
After the Pax romana a century of confusion and violence followed
Rome’s government was weak
Emperors had to pay soldiers and when they couldn’t, they turned against the emperor
Causes civil war – 22 Emperors in 50 years
Economic Weakness
Attacks lead to food shortages and disrupted trade
Their money decreased in value - inflation

3. Invasions Diocletian Constantine Theodosius
Germanic Tribes raided the western empire and Persians invaded in the East
Walls were built to protect cities
Diocletian
Became emperor in 284
Tired to protect the empire and make reforms
Failed – not strong enough as an emperor to enforce his will
Constantine
Emperor that moved the capital to Byzantium – becomes known as Constantinople
Theodosius
Split the empire into the western and eastern halves
Western Roman Empire – Capital = Rome
Eastern Roman Empire – Capital = Constantinople

4. Germanic Invaders Odoacer Visigoths
Rome let them settle in their empire, but treated them badly
The Visigoths rebelled
Defeated the Roman Legions at Adrianople
Alaric – attacked and defeated Rome Itself
Vandals
Attacked Roman lands and spent two weeks seizing valuables and burning villages
Vandalism – named after the actions of the vandals
Odoacer
Took control of the western empire - end of the Western roman empire
Ruled Rome for 15 years
Killed by another German tribe and Theodoric took over Rome
By 550, Germanic ruled territories replaced the western roman empire
However, in the east, The Byzantine empire flourished