2. Rome has had its share of bad emperors. Commodus------ son of Marcus Aurelius He bankrupted the Roman treasury. Imperial troops killed him and sold the position to the highest bidder. This became very common in Rome. (192 A.D to 284 A.D) Legions installed 28 emperors and killed most of them. Legions were busy fighting each other for power.

3. Warfare and invasion disrupted business in the Empire around Rome Invaders destroyed productions centers in Gaul. Food center were also lost causing food shortages. To cope with the loss food and high prices the Roman government printed more coins. Raised taxes. Had to pay the army to keep it happy. The Roman banks were already depleted, Coins were worth less Empire was suffering form severe inflation The prices of good are more than people make or can afford.

4. Emperor Diocletian 284 AD Needed to hold back invasions Raised the number of legions back to 60. Built defenses around empire. Divided the empire in two. The Diocletian ruled the eastern Province Gen. Maximian ruled the west province.

5. Edit of Prices Set prices on goods and stopped coining money. People just bought stuff on the black market This reform did not work. The division of the empire will allow the Eastern province to last another 1,000 years. Emperor Constantine Moved the Eastern capital to the town of Byzantine. Renamed Constantinople. Area ideal for trade.

6. Emperor Theodosius Western province still declined Had the two provinces separate completely into Western and Eastern Empires. Western Empire called Roman Empire Eastern Empire called Byzantium.

7. Started to invade for several reasons Warmer climate Better grazing lands Gain in Rome’s wealth Fleeing the HUNS.

8. Visigoths 378 AD defeated the Romans at Adrianople in the east. Killed the Roman emperor They were given part of the Balkans. Later went to Rome and sacked it. The Huns Lead by Attila Raided the eastern empire and turned west. A Roman Visigoth army defeated the Huns. The Huns then raided Italy and its largest cities. Attila died and the Huns retreated to Eastern Europe.

9. Rome was continually raided The Vandals, Franks, and Goths each came after the Huns. The Franks and Goths divided Gaul. A German solider Odoacer killed the emperor and held his son hostage. Odoacer called himself king, a non-Roman was ruler. Historians use this as the date when Rome ended 476 A.D. -- Rome itself was gone but the Roman culture lived on.