1. The Fall of the Roman Empire

2. Death of Marcus Aurelius After the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 a.d., the Pax Romana ended. This led to power struggles among the Empire. After the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 a.d., the Pax Romana ended. This led to power struggles among the Empire. Every emperor was overthrown or assassinated. In 50 years, 26 different emperors ruled. This led to much instability. Every emperor was overthrown or assassinated. In 50 years, 26 different emperors ruled. This led to much instability.

3. Bad times begin Also during this time, there were high taxes to support the army. This caused a problem for poor farmers. Also during this time, there were high taxes to support the army. This caused a problem for poor farmers. They had to go work for wealthy landowners and led a life similar to slavery. They had to go work for wealthy landowners and led a life similar to slavery.

4. Diocletian In 284, Diocletian, in an attempt to restore order, divided the empire into two parts-the Eastern and Western sects of Rome. In 284, Diocletian, in an attempt to restore order, divided the empire into two parts-the Eastern and Western sects of Rome. He had a co-emperor rule the other part, but he still retained absolute power. He had a co-emperor rule the other part, but he still retained absolute power. He also tried to stop inflation by fixing prices on goods and services. He also tried to stop inflation by fixing prices on goods and services.

5. Constantine In 312, Constantine gained the throne. He made Christianity the official religion and built a new capital in Constantinople. The western empire was declining and he wanted to stay in the wealthier east. In 312, Constantine gained the throne. He made Christianity the official religion and built a new capital in Constantinople. The western empire was declining and he wanted to stay in the wealthier east. However, despite these reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, the empire was still declining. However, despite these reforms of Diocletian and Constantine, the empire was still declining.

6. Attacks on the empire The Roman empire was also getting attacked. The Huns, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Germanic tribes attacked Rome from every side. The Roman empire was also getting attacked. The Huns, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Germanic tribes attacked Rome from every side. They slowly surrendered Britain, then France, then Spain. In 378, the Roman army suffered a large defeat. They could no longer protect their empire They slowly surrendered Britain, then France, then Spain. In 378, the Roman army suffered a large defeat. They could no longer protect their empire

7. Atilla the Hun In 434, Atilla the Hun, the leader of the Huns, began a savage campaign to take over Europe. Even though he died and the Hun empire crumbled, he had set the tone for the rest of the Roman empire. In 434, Atilla the Hun, the leader of the Huns, began a savage campaign to take over Europe. Even though he died and the Hun empire crumbled, he had set the tone for the rest of the Roman empire.

8. The Final Fall When Odoacer, a leader of a Germanic tribe, defeated the Roman emperor in 476, the Roman empire had finally fallen. When Odoacer, a leader of a Germanic tribe, defeated the Roman emperor in 476, the Roman empire had finally fallen. Now the church would run the west, and the Byzantine Empire would run the east. Now the church would run the west, and the Byzantine Empire would run the east.

9. Assignment for today Looking at Section 5 of Chapter 6 of your book, you will create a fold-out showing the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire. Looking at Section 5 of Chapter 6 of your book, you will create a fold-out showing the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire. You must include the four broad categories on the outside, and then the specific reasons on the inside. You also have to draw a picture on the outside representing each reason. You must include the four broad categories on the outside, and then the specific reasons on the inside. You also have to draw a picture on the outside representing each reason. You will be graded on content and detail. You will be graded on content and detail. This activity also prepares you for the essay question that will be on your test tomorrow. This activity also prepares you for the essay question that will be on your test tomorrow. On the back of your fold out, copy the decline and fall of Rome diagram from page 150. On the back of your fold out, copy the decline and fall of Rome diagram from page 150.