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The Decline of the Roman
Empire
Powerpoint presentation created by Robert L. Martinez
Primary content source: Prentice Hall World History
Images as cited.
usu.edu
• Aim: Why did the Western Roman Empire
come to an end in 476?
• Do Now – Fill out Section 4 Quiz
After the death of the emperor Marcus
Aurelius in 180, the golden age of the Pax
Romana ended. For the next 100 years,
political and economic turmoil rocked the
Roman empire.
pantheism.net
1. Political instability
Again and again, emperors were overthrown by
ambitious generals.
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In one 50 year period, at least 26 emperors
reigned. Only one died of natural causes.
Political violence and instability, rather than
order and efficiency - became the rule.
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2. Economic crisis
High taxes to support the army, and the
bureaucracy placed heavy burdens on
business people and small farmers.
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Farmland that had been overcultivated for too many years lost its
productivity.
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Many poor farmers left their land and sought
protection from wealthy landowners.
Technically free, they were not allowed to leave
the land.
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3. Failure of reforms
284 Diocletian reforms set out to restore order. To
make the empire easier to govern, he divided the
empire into two parts.
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To slow inflation, he fixed prices for goods and
services.
Other laws forced farmers to remain on the land.
In cities, sons were required to follow their
fathers’ occupations.
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In 312, the talented general Constantine
gained the throne. As emperor,
Constantine continued Diocletian’s
reforms except for two major exceptions.
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First, Constantine granted toleration for
Christians. By doing so, he encouraged the
rapid growth of Christianity within the
empire.
courses.wcupa.edu
Second, he built a new capital,
Constantinople, making the eastern portion
of the empire, the center of power. The
western Roman empire was in decline, but
the east enjoyed more people and
resources.
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These reforms helped hold the empire together
for another century. Still, the reforms failed to
stop the long-term decline
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Military Weakness – mercenary armies
Diseases – plagues kill millions
Christianity?
For centuries, Rome had faced attacks from the
Germanic peoples who lived east of the Rhine
and north of the Danube rivers.
theapricity.com
The Huns, a nomadic people, migrating across
Central Asias fought fierce battles to dislodge
the Germanic peoples in their path.
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In 410, the Visigoth general Alaric overran Italy
and plundered Rome.
Gradually, other Germanic peoples occupied
more and more of the western Roman empire.
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For Rome, the worst was yet to come.
Starting in 434, the Hun leader Attila
embarked on a savage campaign of
conquest across much of Europe.
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Finally, in 476, Odoacer, a Germanic
leader, ousted the emperor in Rome.
Later, the historians referred to that event
as the “fall” of Rome.
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The passing of Rome’s power and
greatness was a major turning point in the
history of western civilization. But why
did the Roman empire fall?
iml.jou.ufl.edu
BARBARIAN INVASIONS
The most obvious cause of Rome’s fall was the
Germanic invasions.
Still, these attacks were successful in part
because of the weakness of the Roman army.
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POLITICAL PROBLEMS
As the government became more oppressive
and authoritarian, it lost the support of the
people.
Corrupt officials undermined loyalty.
Frequent civil wars over succession to the
imperial throne.
pbs.org
DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE
Dividing the empire when it was under
attack may have further weakened it.
The richer eastern Roman empire did
little to support the west.
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ECONOMIC PROBLEMS
Heavy taxes were required to support the
vast government bureaucracy and huge
military establishment.
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pennay.edublogs.or
SLAVERY
Reliance on slave labor discouraged Romans from
exploring new technology.
Wealth of the empire dwindled as farmers
abandoned their land and the middle classes sank
into poverty.
toptenz.net
DISEASES
In addition, the
population declined
as war and epidemic
diseases swept the
empire.
SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Romans pointed to the decline in values such
as patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty
on which the empire was built.
The need to replace citizen soldiers with
mercenaries showed the decline of patriotism.
history.msu.edu
DECADENCE OF RULING CLASS
The upper class, which had once
provided leaders, devoted itself to
luxury and self-interest.
brendaatanacio.edublogs.org