1. The Long Decline of the Roman Empire

2. Crisis and Reform Rome’s economy weakened Hostile tribes on the borders Pirates on the seas No new sources of wealth Raised taxes Minted new currency with less metals Created inflation

3. Rome Under Attack

4. Military and Political Turmoil Less disciplined and loyal soldiers loyal to commanders Mercenaries Citizens less loyal

5. Emperors Attempt Reform Diocletian made reforms –Doubled size of army –Set fixed prices for goods –Claimed descent from gods –Divided the empire in two

6. Constantine Moves the Capital Gained control in 312 AD Continued reforms Moved capital to Byzantium Renamed it Constantinople

7. The Western Empire Crumbles Germanic Invasions-indirect threat Attila and the Huns-direct attack

8. Empire Ends Last Emperor was a 14 year old boy named Romulus Augustulus Ousted by Germanic forces in 476 Eastern half of empire continued Evolved into the Byzantine Empire Cultural influence continued Ideas, customs, institutions

9. What were the political Problems? Violence, instability, corruption never created an effective system for replacing emperors Praetorian Guard gained complete authority to choose Emperors were overthrown and replaced by generals Ruled for a short time and then were overthrown again Over a 100 years, 37 Emperors reigned, 25 removed by assassination

10. What were the Economic Problems? High taxes Inflation After Rome stopped conquering new land, flow of gold and treasure stopped Gold was still used to pay for luxury items Less gold for currency meant that currency was less valuable Merchants raised their prices People stopped using currency and began to barter

11. What were the social problems? Decline in moral values High crime and violence Prostitution Self indulgent and lazy Cruelty- Gladiator combat

12. Unemployment Large estates with slave labor could produce more goods, more cheaply put small farmers out of work Thousands filled the cities, but no work Free grain for bread had to be imported for 100,000 unemployed people

13. Urban Decay Wealthy Romans lived in large houses with marble wall, floors with intricate colored tiles, and window of small panes of glass Most Romans lived in small, dark, dangerous, smelly apartments with six or more stories called islands Many were forced to live on streets because they could not pay rent

14. Rise of Christianity Drastic changes in society Christians were pacifists-wouldn’t defend Rome The Church was attracting able leaders instead of the government or the military Money was being use to build churches instead of to maintain the empire.