1. The Fall of the Roman Empire 7.6

2. Inflation *= rise in price caused by decrease in value of $ *No more expansion = no more new money. *Defense of borders and civil wars cost $$$$ *Daily life becomes harder for people

3. Diocletian *General – made emperor in 284 AD *Realized empire was too large for one person to govern  -appointed co-emperor and 2 assistants: he controlled East *Attempted to improve the economy *Keys: defense and security of the Empire

5. Constantine Won civil war in 324 AD and reunited empire. Supported Christianity after vision on battlefield – eventually won battle. Created Constantinople Empire weakens after his death in 337.

7. Two Empires *A.D. 400: Two Empires exist *West: Grew weaker *East: center of power and wealth *German tribes become a problem

9. Goths Goths –flood into empire in late 300s. After poor treatment – crush large Roman army at Adrianople –Eastern emperor Valens killed in battle 410 – King Alaric takes Rome –first time in 800 years.

10. Vandals Sneak into border during Goth problems 429 – invade North Africa 455 – sack Rome Today: Vandal – means terrorize, destroy, steal, etc.

11. Vandal’s Sack of Rome

12. Huns Nomads from Asia –Attila: greatest Hun leader Took much of modern Austria and Hungary from Rome Lost to combined barbarian/Roman force in Gaul

13. Aftermath *476 – Romulus Augustus: last emperor in West  -“Fall of Roman Empire” *Eastern Empire remains until 1453 *Learning declined – libraries destroyed and technology lost *Europe slips into Dark Ages

14. Causes of Decline: Military Barbarians pushing East –Needed land to live on Romans need troops –Dependent on Barbarian recruits Generals: overthrowing one another to be emperor. Loss of loyalty to Rome

15. Causes: Political Empire too large to control Burden of public service Corruption/Unstable leadership –Government failed

16. Causes: Economic Too expensive to defend borders Expansion stopped: no new $ High Taxes High Inflation

17. Causes: Social Class differences –Rich had power: Poor unhappy and growing Loss of patriotism Loss of Values *Result: Europe in decay for 1,000 years till Renaissance in 1500s.

18. Fall of an Empire 1. Why did taxation increase in the Empire? Who did this hurt the most? 2. What reforms did the Emperor Diocletian try to institute?