Download The Fall of Rome

The fall of Rome
Rome ruled much of Europe around the Mediterranean for over 1000 years. The Roman Empire
began to decline around 200 AD. By 400 AD Rome was struggling under the weight of its giant
empire. The city of Rome finally fell in 476 AD.
struggle UK: strʌgl
küzd
The Peak of Roman Power
Rome reached its peak of power in the 2nd century around the year 117 AD under the rule of the
great Roman emperor Trajan. The entire coastline along the Mediterranean Sea was part of the
Roman Empire. This included Spain, Italy, France, southern Britain, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, and
northern Africa.
Gradual Decline
The Fall of Rome didn't happen in a day, it happened over a long period of time. There are a number
of reasons why the empire began to fail. Here are some causes of the fall of the Roman Empire:
Táblakép:
The fall of Rome
Causes of the fall of Roman Empire
Military
Political
Economy
Social
Germanic
invasions
Government
became more
oppressive
more taxes to
pay wars and
defense
decline of
patriotism
Mercenaries /
not loyal to
Rome/
corruptions
population
decreases /
wars diseases/
people are more
interested in
luxury
lack of well
trained,
disciplined
soldiers
Empire
divided:rich
Eastern, poor
western
large reliance
on slave labor /
technology
stopped
developing
influence of
German culture
and customs
agriculture
declined
Military:

Attacks from German, barbarian tribes outside of the empire such as the Visigoths, Huns,
Franks, and Vandals
Mercenary UK: məːsɪnəriː
zsoldos
Political:



The politicians and rulers of Rome became more and more corrupt
Infighting and civil wars within the Empire
The split of Roman Empire
Rome Divides into Two
In 395 AD, the empire was split into two for good. The Western Empire was ruled by Rome, the
Eastern Empire was ruled by Constantinople.
Map of the Eastern /red/ and Western/blue/ Roman Empire right before the fall
The "fall" of Rome discussed here is referring to the Western Roman Empire which was ruled by
Rome. The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantium Empire and remained in
power for another 1000 years, UNTIL 1453.
Oppressive
UK: əpresɪv
zsarnoki, elnyomó
Decrease
UK: diːkriːs
fogyás, csökkenés
Economy:

The lack of slaves
Reliance
UK: rɪlaɪəns
bizalom, bizakodás
Decline
UK: dɪklaɪn
hanyatlás
Influence
UK: ɪnflʊəns
hatás, befolyás
The City of Rome is Sacked
The city of Rome was thought to be unconquerable. However, in 410 AD, a Germanic barbarian
tribe called the Visigoths invaded the city. They looted the treasures, killed and enslaved many
Romans, and destroyed many buildings. This was the first time in 800 years that the city of Rome
had been sacked.
Sack UK: sæk
Loot UK: luːt
fosztogatás
kifoszt
Rome Falls
In 476 AD, a Germanic barbarian by the name of Odoacer took control of Rome. He became king of
Italy and forced the last emperor of Rome, Romulus Augustulus, to give up his crown. Many
historians consider this to be the end of the Roman Empire.
Interesting Facts about the Fall of Rome




The Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium, fell in 1453 to the Ottoman Empire.
Many poor people were glad to see Rome fall. They were starving to death while being taxed
heavily by Rome.
Near the end of the Roman Empire, the city of Rome was no longer the capital. The city of
Mediolanum (now Milan) was capital for a while. Later, the capital was moved to Ravenna.
Rome was sacked once again in 455 AD by Geiseric, King of the Vandals. The Vandals were
an Eastern Germanic tribe. The term "vandalism" comes from the Vandals.
Quiz on the fall of Rome
1) Under which Roman emperor did the Roman Empire reach its
peak?
Augustus
Trajan
Constantine
Diocletian
Nero
2) Around how long was Rome the major power in Europe and
around the Mediterranean Sea?
100 years
200 years
400 years
500 years
1000 years
3) When the Roman Empire was split into two separate empires,
what city was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?
Rome
Alexandria
Constantinople
Athens
Thebes
4) What is the common name for the Eastern Roman Empire?
Byzantium Empire
Ottoman Empire
Persian Empire
Carthage
Phoenicians
5) Which group of barbarians sacked Rome in 410 AD signalling
the start of the fall of Rome?
Huns
Visigoths
Franks
Normans
Vikings
6) What caused Rome to decline and eventually fall?
Corrupt politicians and civil wars within the empire
The empire became too large to govern
Barbarian tribes such as the Franks and Vandals began to attack many
Roman cities including Rome itself
All of the above
None of the above
7) What period of history began after the fall of Rome?
The Dark Ages
The Renaissance
The Industrial Revolution
The Scientific Revolution
The Information Age
8) What year is considered to be the end of the Western Roman
Empire and the fall of Rome?
117 AD
347 AD
410 AD
476 AD
614 AD
9) True or False: The Fall of Rome happened very quickly in a
matter of a few years.
TRUE
FALSE
10) Who was Odoacer?
The last emperor of Rome
The Roman Emperor who decided to split the empire into two more
manageable empires
The barbarian who overthrew the last emperor of Rome and brought an
end to the Roman Empire
The leader and general of the Huns
King of the Vandals