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Vocabulary • • • • • • • Diocletian Constantine Huns Visigoths Attila Inflation mercenary The Long Decline Foreign invasions, along with political, social, and economic problems, led to the fall of the Roman Empire. The Slow Decay • The Roman Empire did not suddenly collapse – It was a decay that took centuries • In the late 200’s, Empire was divided into two parts – Each ruled by a co-emperor • Complex problems led to the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire. Crisis and Reforms • Marcus Aurelius died in 180 A.D. – Marking the end of the Pax Romana • For the next 100 years, political and economic turmoil rocked the Roman World. Marcus Aurelius Struggles for Power • Emperors were overthrown repeatedly – In one 50 year period – 26 emperors reigned • Political instability and violence ruled – Rather than order and efficiency Economic and Social Problems • High taxes to support military and bureaucracy – Heavy burden on businesses and farmers • Farmland over-cultivated • Famers moved onto large estates as workers – Not allowed to leave the land Emperor Diocletian • 284 B.C., Diocletian divided the Empire into two parts – Keeping the wealthier Eastern portion for himself – Appointed a co-emperor to rule the western half • Answerable to Diocletian – Diocletian retained absolute power Diocletian • Increased prestige of Emperor – Wore purple robes embroidered with gold – Crowns encrusted with jewels – Approach the throne – you had to kiss his robe Economic Decay • To slow inflation – Fixed prices for goods and services • Forced farmers to remain on their land • Sons were required to follow their father’s occupation – To ensure a steady production of goods and food. Emperor Constantine • 312 A.D. – took the throne – Continued Diocletian’s reforms • Changed European history – Granted toleration to Christians – Guaranteed success of Christianity • Built a new capital – Constantinople – On the Bosporus – strait between the Black and Mediterranean Seas Constantine • He made the Eastern Roman empire the center of power • Eastern Empire had more people • Prospered for centuries after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Mixed Results • Reforms revived the economy and increased power of the government – Held empire together for another century • Long-term decline continued Foreign Invasion • Rome had always faced invasion – Legions had always held off attackers • Germanic tribes along the borders allied with Rome and learned Roman culture Germanic Tribes Impact of the Huns • Huns – nomadic tribe from East Asia – Fierce fighters who dislodged the Germanic peoples • Visigoth, Ostrogoth, and other Germanic people crossed into Roman territory for safety. • With Empire in decline – Roman legions could not stop the advance. • Surrendered : Britain, Spain and France Rome Defeated • 378 B.C.- Rome is defeated by Visigoths – By 410 B.C. – Rome is plundered • Gradually more Germanic tribes occupy the Western Empire • 434 B.C. – Attila the Hun led campaign across Europe – “scourge of God” by Christians as punishment for sin. Rome Defeated • 476 B.C. – Germanic leader ousted the Roman Emperor – Date seen as the “fall” of Rome – Roman power in the west had ended before that. Causes of the Fall of Rome • Rome ‘fell’ because of several causes: – Military – Political – Economic – Social • This was a major turning point in Western Civilization. Military Causes • Germanic Invasions – Legions lacked the proper training of past Roman armies. • Rome hired mercenaries – paid soldiers – Felt little loyalty to Rome Political Causes • Government became oppressive and authoritarian – Lost support of the people • Corruption was rampant • Constant battling by rival armies to have their commander named emperor • Dividing the empire when it was under attack – Weakened it beyond repair – Richer Eastern Empire did little to help west Economic Causes • Heavy taxes to support military and bureaucracy • Reliance on slave labor discouraged innovation • Farmers abandoned their land • Middle class sank into poverty • Population decline because of war and diseases. Social Causes • Decline of the Romans values – Patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty • Upper class no longer provided leadership – Devoted themselves to self-indulgence • “bread and circuses” – Costly to the government – Made people reliant on the government instead of being self-reliant Did Rome Fall? • The city of Rome ‘fell’ in 476 A.D. • The Roman Empire continued in part for another 1,000 years – Byzantine Empire • People of the Western Roman Empire – Continued to live as they had – just under new rulers • Christian Church preserved elements of Roman civilization. Essay Question for Classical Era Test • Discuss the fall of the Roman Empire. • 25% of test grade • Essay format – Minimum six paragraphs • Open • Four causes • Closing • Homework – complete an outline for your test essay!