1. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

2. Roman Empire

3. PROBLEMS IN THE LATE EMPIRE
Together the Roman Republic and Empire had lasted almost 1,000 years
By the year 500 AD, the Roman Empire had collapsed. What happened?

4. Problem #1 Political Instability
Not always a clear way to choose a new Emperor.
Caused internal wars.
Often, the Praetorian Guard, the Emperor’s private army, chose by force.

5. Think / Pair / Share
A’s tell B’s why the late empire suffered from political instability.
B’s tell A’s why the late empire suffered from political instability.
I will now pick some students to explain to the class

6. Problem #2 Economic and Social Problems
High Taxes to fund the army. Drove people into poverty.
Lots of slave labor, which meant less jobs available.
High unemployment.
Corruption and a rise in crime.

7. Think / Pair / Share
A’s tell B’s what types of economic problems the late Roman empire faced.
B’s tell A’s what types of economic problems the late Roman empire faced.
I will now pick some students to explain to the class

8. Problem #3 Weakening Frontiers and Over-extension
Huge size made it hard to defend.
Sometimes took 2 weeks for leaders in Rome to get news to its generals.
People in the army were now recruited from conquered lands, and less committed to Rome.

9. THE SPLITs!
What does the Emperor Diocletian do to solve these problems?
He splits the Empire into 2 parts. Rome becomes the capital of the West, and Byzantium becomes the capital of the East.

10. Constantine Moves the Capital
What did the Emperor Constantine do?
Briefly reunites the empire.
In 330, the Emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium. (Later re-named Constantinople, now known as Istanbul, Turkey.)

11. One Empire Becomes Two….

12. Two Capitals Capital of the West Capital of the East Rome
Constantinople

13. Another name for the city of Constantinople is _______________.

14. Use your whiteboards
Another name for the city of Constantinople is Istanbul or Byzantium

15. What’s left of the Roman half is invaded!
In 410 AD a Germanic Tribe attacked and looted Rome itself.
In 476 AD, the last emperor in the West was driven from his throne.

16. THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE But the East Remained…
And a new empire is born that will last almost another 1,000 years…..
THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

17. Think /Pair/ Share
A’s describe to B’s how the new Byzantine Empire was born from the old Roman Empire.
B’s describe to A’s how the new Byzantine Empire was born from the old Roman Empire.
I will now pick some students to explain to the class.