1. What Happened to the Roman Empire?

2. Internal / External Problems
Political instability
Econ decline
Social unrest
External
Barbarians invaded
410- Visigoths
476- Vandals

3. Political Instability
180 AD- 284 AD: Third Century
Loss of control
Difficult to rule a large Empire
Political in-fighting/ assassinations
Decreasing military strength- discipline, mercenaries
Decreasing sense of public spirit

4. Economic Decline Trade and ag declining…
Unemployment rising
Taxes increasing to pay cost of govt. and army
Inflation increasing– money depreciated– hurts the poor

5. Social Unrest Wealthy in villas Small middle class in provinces
95% below poverty line- without land or jobs
Plague and poverty decrease populations
Decline in morale and values

6. Diocletian Tried to restore order
Divided the Empire to make admin easy

7. Constantine Reunited the Empire Enlarged the army
Increased civil service
Moved the capital to Byzantium

8. External Problems German/ Hun invasions Provinces are overrun
Loss of territory

9. Society/ Politics
410 AD– Alaric and the Visigoths burned and plundered Rome
Capital moved to Milan!
476 AD– Vandal tribes ruled by Odovacer captured Rome
Emperor deposed
Destruction

10. Results End of a strong, central gov’t
Roman power in the West disappeared
Loss of territory
No dominant power
Political vacuum-- other civs begin to develop
Small warring kingdoms, feudalism

11. Dark Ages Decline of the Roman civilization
Depopulation
Decline of agriculture and trade
Decline of culture…
Conquered by Charlemagne ~800
Byzantium preserved Roman Civilization