1. Ancient Rome: The Fall of the Roman Empire

2. Second Century CE  After Hadrian came a succession of emperors, both good and bad.  Diocletian became emperor in 284 CE.  Considered himself above all laws.  Spread armies along the frontiers and among the provinces in order to quell any internal disturbances.  Continual and significant recruitment of non- Roman, Germanic immigrants.

3. More Changes  Attempted to eradicate the Christian faith by burning churches and scriptures. –Told to sacrifice to Diocletian or die. –Many Christians became martyrs for their faith.  Constantine –Emperor after Diocletian. –The first Christian emperor. –Issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE that freed all Christians from persecution.

4. Constantine  Established a capital in the Eastern Empire known as Constantine’s City or Constantinople (modern Turkey). –In 359 CE given same authority as Rome.  Increased taxes to supply armies.  Allowed German tribesmen to enlist in Roman army (mercenaries).

5. Theodosius the Great  The last Roman emperor to rule before empire was divided.  Permitted the Visigoths (German tribe) to seek safety from the Huns (Asia) in the Roman Empire.  Visigoths became powerful in army.  Romans sent army against them, but were defeated.  393 CE - banned all pagan worship and had pagan temples closed. –Even banned the Olympic games because they honoured a pagan god.

6. Division  After Theodosius, empire divided in the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire.  There were now two senior emperors, called Augusti, for each division.  German generals ruled the western part.  476 CE – Odacer (German) overthrew last Roman emperor (Romulus Augustulus) and proclaimed himself ruler of Rome –1200 years after Rome was founded.  Eastern empire lasted another 1000 years

7. Barbarians  The last years of the Western Roman Empire were marked by migrations of barbarians from the north. –Goths (Visigoths and Ostrogoths) –Alans –Franks –Suebi –Vandals –Huns  Rome had to learn how to accommodate and settle them.

8. Main Factors in Rome’s Fall  Mercenaries – hired soldiers from other lands whose loyalty was questionable.  Money  Government – followed no orderly pattern.  Moral standards declined – corruption and favouritism in government.

9. Money Problems  Money was not circulating.  Those who had it were hoarding it.  When the barbarians invaded they stole the money in the treasury.  Trade deficit - importing more goods than they were exporting.  Inflation - the price of goods was increasing. –Tried to reform this by creating a law that established maximum prices and wages.  Couldn’t finance the empire. –Couldn’t get money through taxes because the people had no money.