Download The Long Decline of the Roman Empire

The Long Decline of
the Roman Empire
FALL OF THE ROMAN
EMPIRE
 Pax Romana comes to an
end after death of Marcus
Aurelius
 This meant that the golden
age was starting to end and
the lives of the plebeians was
getting worse
Fall of the Roman Empire
 Empire was failing socially, politically, and
economically
society
politics
economics
Fall of the Roman Empire
 Emperors Diocletian and Constantine
attempt reform
Diocletian
Constantine
Fall of the Roman Empire
 Diocletian divides the
Empire into the East
and West
 He wanted to make
the empire smaller so
it would be easier to
control, but instead it
backfired. Neighbors
saw this as a sign that
he was weak
Fall of Roman Empire
 Constantine issues
Edict of Milan
 Constantine makes east
center of Roman power
 This was done as a last
attempt to take all the
money and trade to the
east, and leave the west
for the barbarians to
fight over
 The Dark Ages - Part 1 - The Sacking
of Rome
FALL OF ROME
 Foreign Invasions
-Once small barbarian
tribes saw Rome
start to fall they
were no longer
threatened by the
once powerful
empire
FALL OF ROME
 Military Causes
1. Rome gets too big to defend
- More money more problems
2. Roman army hires mercenaries
-Paid solders who only fought for money and
not for the love of their country
3. Germanic and Hun invasions
-Neighboring tribes were no longer scared of
the Roman army
FALL OF ROME
 Political Causes
1. Imperialism
- taking over too much land and
making too many enemies
2. Government becomes oppressive and authoritarian
- People start to resent the roman
government and not like their rulers
3. Uncontrolled immigration
- too many people flocking to cities
causing population to increase and take the jobs of Roman
citizens
Fall of Rome
 Social Causes
1. decline in patriotism
- citizens no longer take pride in
being roman
2. APATHY!!!!
-People do not care what happens to
Rome or its government because it
had become too corrupt
3. Rise of Christianity
- People start to follow the church and
question the government
FALL OF ROME
 Economic Causes
1. High Taxes
- People paying more but
making less money than
ever before
2. Use of Slave Labor
- Slaves start to take the jobs of
citizens and this helps the
economy crumble
3. Means of production move outside of Empire
- Cost too much to make things in
Rome so they start to buy things
from
other empires
CLOSURE
 Explain the geography of Rome
 Explain the difference between a
Democracy and Republic
 What was the Pax Romana
 Describe the lifestyles of Plebian's and
Patricians
 What caused the Roman Empire to fall
 Why were roads important to Rome?