1. Should Rome have asked, “Where is the enemy?”?

2. Empire Crumbles  When the last of the “good emperors,” Marcus Aurelius died... ... He left his son, Commodus, in power.  He was a savage ruler.  He loved the bloodshed of the Gladiators.  He bribed the army to support him.

3. Empire Crumbles  This began the decline of Roman Empire.  Commodus was not the only cause for decline...  Many INTERNAL problems led to the end.

4. #1 Weak Corrupt Rulers  After Commodus, emperors were a succession of generals, not politicians.  They stole money from treasury to enrich themselves.  They had to pay off soldiers.

5. #1 Weak Corrupt Rulers  The government and economy fell to pieces. (inflation)  The senate lost its power.  Emperors were not safe.  In 104 years, there were 29 emperors. ... most were murdered (assassinated).

6. #2 Mercenary Army  The Roman Army had been made of citizen- soldiers, ready to defend their land.  The Roman Army had been made of citizen- soldiers, ready to conquer new lands, to receive “payment” of real value.

7. #2 Mercenary Army  The army was later filled with mercenaries- foreign soldiers fighting for pay-for personal gain.  Rome’s strength had depended on loyal army.

8. #3 The Size of the Empire  The empire had grown too large to be ruled from one place.  Enemies from Asia, Africa and Northern Europe, attacked.  Tribes that had been conquered poured over the borders causing the empire to shrink.

9. #4 Serious Economic Problems  Eventually Rome stopped conquering new lands.  no new sources of wealth  no new resources  Taxes became heavier.  Huge unemployment developed.  Rome paid an army that would not always fight.

10. #4 Serious Economic Problems  Food became scarce, inflation common.  Government made coins to pay for food; prices went up.  Less value in money, value based on silver, but with less and... ... less silver per coin, becoming worthless.

11. Trying to Stop Decline  Some emperors made efforts to stop decline of Empire.  Diocletian--  persecuted Christians  worked to strengthen Rome  enlarged army  Built new forts at borders

12. Trying to Stop Decline  Diocletian (continued)  improved tax collection  had money to pay army  divided empire in two to make it easier to rule  chose the wealthy East, co-ruler given declining West

13. Romans Accept Christianity  Diocletian retired and so did his co- ruler, leading to years of civil war.  Generals fought each other.  In A.D. 312 Constantine, a general, stood near a bridge with his troops, with a battle about to begin...

14. Romans Accept Christianity  The sun broke through the clouds in the form of a cross, with the words, ”Under this sign you will conquer.”  Crosses were put on his soldiers’ shields; they enjoyed an overwhelming victory.  He believed the message came from Christian God; he vowed to become a Christian.

15. Romans Accept Christianity  Under Constantine,  Christianity was legalized and supported.  Freedom to worship was not limited.  Christianity soon became official religion.  Capital was moved to Byzantium, renamed Constantinople.

16. Fall of Rome (external factors, the attacks on Rome)  Constantine struggled to keep the empire together.  At his death, invaders swept across the borders.  They overwhelmed the empire.  Invaders came from tribes to the north; Rome had defeated these tribes earlier, but they were too weak now.

17. Fall of Rome (external factors, the attacks on Rome)  Goths- wore black, white faces like ghosts  Vandals- destroyed parts of the city and painted it in blood  Huns- used Roman tactics against them led by Attila  Visigoths- winged helmets, stole most of food like vultures

18. Fall of Rome (external factors, the attacks on Rome)  Rome was captured and looted.  Roman emperor was powerless.  Romulus Augustus  14 years old  Captured by German general  Sent to work on a farm  No ruler remained in the West.  A new Empire began in the East in Byzantium, called Byzantine Empire.