1. 29 BC AD
The Roman Empire

2. Augustus’ Pax Romana (207 years)
free of war
borders measured 10,000 miles
3 million square miles
70-90 million people - 1 million in Rome

3. Augustus’ contributions
Government system that lasted centuries
single coinage - better trade
one large economic power
road & aqueduct (water) system
new building materials (concrete)
civil service created

4. The Fall of the Roman Empire
476 A.D.

5. The Decay Economics Military Political
Began with Marcus Aurelius and took 300 years
Economics
prosperity gone (plunder, trade, and farm)
gold and silver gone from imports
inflation (prices rise)
Military
major defeats to Persians and others
soldiers fought for $ not patriotism
Political
citizens didn’t care (apathy)
political office and civil service not an honor

6. Diocletian 284 A. D. Army leader - doubled the size of the army
Persecuted Christians
Divided the empire
Greeks in the East (wealthier)
Latins in the West (demise of Rome)

7. Constantine (311 A.D.)
Had a vision before a battle, used the sign of the cross
Accept Christianity, stops persecutions
Edict of Milan - freedom of religion to the Christians
Moves the capital of the empire from Rome to Byzantium (changed to Constantinople)

8. Barbarians at the Gate 376 A. D. to 476 A. D.
Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Saxons, etc. keep attacking
Rome sacked twice, but the survived
Attila the Hun
Romulus Augustulus (455)
last emperor
lost to a barbarian general Odoacer

9. The End After 476 no emperor pretended to rule Rome
Eastern Half of the Empire survived another 1000 years (Byzantine Empire)
Latin remained the language of the land
The Christian Church (Roman Catholic) begins its dominance over daily life