1. The Fall of the Roman Empire 7.6

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

3. 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

4. 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

6. 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.

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

10. 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.

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

12. Vandal’s Sack of Rome

13. 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

14. Aftermath  476 – Romulus Augustulus: 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

15. 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

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

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

18. 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.