1.  Drop off your syllabus in the bottom tray on the circulation desk as you come in  Take 3 minutes to jot down the top 5-10 issues you see in American society today.  Take 1 minute to share with your tables/a neighbor  We will then discuss and pull out at least 5

3.  BCE (formerly BC) = BEFORE COMMON ERA  CE (formerly AD) = COMMON ERA

6.  Covered modern day Europe, and parts of Africa and Asia.  Spread culture, language, and customs to millions of people (the basis for trends we see to today)  Was the most powerful fighting force in the world.  Lasted for just about 1000 years. For those of you keeping score, the US is going on 231 years.

7.  So what do you think were the biggest things that led to Rome’s downfall? (KWL)

8. 1. Political Corruption No set system for change of leadership. Selling political office.

9. 2. Inflation Less gold flowing into the economy & more coins  so the coins lost value. Eventually economy reverted back to the barter system.

10. 3. Urban Decay Gap between rich and poor. Unsafe housing for poor. Homelessness.

11. 4. Military Spending Defending borders against barbarians. Few resources left for other needs (housing, transportation). Use of mercenaries made military unreliable.

12. Emperor Diocletian splits empire into EAST and WEST. Only one of these empires would “make it.” Guess which one! As other groups (Barbarians) could tell Rome was becoming weaker, they became more aggressive and continued successfully attacking 

13. 5. Barbarian Invasions Borders left undefended became vulnerable to barbarian attacks (notably the Visigoths). Roman emperor overthrown in 476 C.E. Infrastructure, cities, trade declined.