Download Unit 7 A Weakening Empire Study Guide

Name _________________________________________ Core __________________ Date ________________________
Unit 7 A Weakening Empire Study Guide
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For nearly a century, Rome had no orderly transfer of power. Emperors gained power by using force, bribery, and murder.
Leaders gave no thought to the good of the state. Instead, they looked for power only to make themselves rich.
High taxes to pay for the army and for bribes to enemy leaders drove Romans into poverty. They also made trade difficult.
Diocletian returned order to the empire and reorganized the government.
Diocletian gave up his throne, and his new government fell.
Constantine won the struggle for power that followed Diocletian’s rule. He named himself emperor.
Constantine saw that the city of Rome was no longer important to the life of the empire.
Constantine moved the capital of the empire from Rome to a different city. He renamed the city after himself.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe was broken into separate kingdoms. Germanic tribes ruled most of
them.
10. Roman cultural traditions were lost as Western Europe sank into its “Dark Ages.”
11. The Eastern Roman Empire lived on as the Byzantine Empire until 1453.
Identify and explain the significance of the following terms:
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Diocletian- _________________________________________________________________________________
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Throne- ___________________________________________________________________________________
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Constantine- _______________________________________________________________________________
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Constantinople- _____________________________________________________________________________
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Christianity- _______________________________________________________________________________
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Convert- ___________________________________________________________________________________
Reading Guide:
1. How did Rome become politically unstable? _______________________________________________________
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2. Why was the capital of the Roman Empire moved? __________________________________________________
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3. Why did Rome decline and fall? _________________________________________________________________
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Name _____________________________________________ Core _________________ Date __________________________
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Key Term
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