1. The Decline of the Roman Empire

2. A Century of Crisis
The reign of emperor Marcus Aurelius ( ) marks the end of Pax Romana
Emperors that followed him had no idea of how to deal with the giant empire and its growing problems

3. Political Political offices seen as a burden, not a reward
Military interfered in politics
Civil war and unrest
Division of the empire
Moving of the capital from Rome to Byzantium

4. Social Decline in interest in public affairs
Low confidence in the empire
Disloyalty, lack of patriotism, corruption
Contrast between rich and poor
Decline in population due to disease and food shortage

5. Economic Poor harvests Disruption of trade
No more war plunder coming in
Gold and silver drain
Inflation
Crushing tax burden
Widening gap between rich and poor and increasingly impoverished Western Empire

6. Military Low funds for defense
Threat from northern European tribes
Low funds for defense
Problems recruiting Roman citizens; recruiting of non- Romans (mercenaries)
Decline of patriotism and loyalty among soldiers

7. Emperors Attempt Reform
Diocletian
Restored order and increased Rome’s strength at the cost of personal freedom
Doubled the size of the Roman army
Tried to control inflation by setting fixed prices for goods
Realized the Empire was too big and divided it in half
The Latin-speaking West
The Greek-speaking East which he ruled (far wealthier than the West)
After his death, civil war broke out

8. Emperors Attempt Reform
Constantine gained control of the western empire in 312 A.D.
He continued many of the same social and economic policies
In 324 he secured control of the East as well
In 330 he moved the capital from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium in present day Turkey
After his death, the West would fall to the Huns (476 A.D.) but the East would survive as the Byzantine Empire