Download Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Geography of the Roman Empire
Discussion Recall:
 What is the name of
the sea that is
prominently in the
middle of the
empire? (click to
show)
 Which 3 continents
did the empire
expand?
 Predict: How will the
size of the empire
leave it vulnerable or
weak?

Europe
The Mediterranean
Africa
Asia
The Roman Empire:
Problems

 The Empire grew too large to control
 Barbarians from the north (Germanic tribes)
continued to attack the vast empire
 The male citizens were needed in the army to defend
the empire. This meant that less people were
farming, causing a food shortage.
 Taxes grew higher to help pay for military defense.
 Wealthy citizens began moving out of the city,
creating their own estates.
Paraphrased from History Alive: The Medieval World & Beyond textbook
The Empire Divides!

 Diocletian feared the empire had grown too big to
control –He divided it into the Eastern and Western
Empires.
 Eastern:
 Ruled by
Diocletian
 Western:
 Ruled by
Appointed
Co-Emperor
Paraphrased from History Alive: The Medieval World & Beyond textbook
Power Moves to the East
The emperor
Constantine –Made a
capital in the east in what is
now Turkey.
 Located on the Bosphorus
strait it was a fantastic
middle ground for trading
between Asia and Europe.
 He named the new capital
Constantinople after
himself.
Paraphrased from History Alive: The Medieval World & Beyond textbook
Ten Theories for the Fall of Roman
Empire
Excessive Military
Spending to Defend
the Empire.
Political Corruption
Interesting fact: Over a hundred year span
Rome had 37 emperors. 25 were assassinated.
Many were assassinated at the hands of other
aspiring leaders.
The Fall of Rome
Inferior Technology
Fact: While the Romans were great architects many
of their ideas came from conquering lands.
When the conquering stopped, so did new
technology.
• InflationInteresting fact: Inflation got so bad that
eventually salaries had to be paid in food
and clothing, and taxes were collected in
fruits and vegetables!
The Fall of Rome
Unemployment
Interesting Fact: Most farmers bought slaves which
put paid workers out of jobs. At one point the
emperor was importing grain to feed over 100,000
unemployed people in Rome alone.
Urban Decay
Interesting Fact: Most people lived in apartments.
The poorest lived at the top. People that could not pay
rent were forced to live on crime infested streets.
The Fall of Rome
Decline in Morals and
values
Interesting Fact: Gladiator fights were enjoyed by all
classes even the emperor. Slaves could win
his/her freedom if survived….At the end of each
battle fresh sand was placed on the coliseum
floor to cover the blood.
Rise in Christianity
Fact: While eventually most of Europe will become
Christian at first small factions were breaking
off, creating a lack of unity within the empire.
Youtube Video Clip:
Gladiator Fight with surprise
ending
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWu_QZznrg
(4:30 min)
Video is moderately violent: Teachers use discretion according to your audience.
The Fall of Rome
Environmental and
Public Health
Problems Interesting Fact: While
the aqueducts were very efficient even genius
way to carry water to homes, in the end the
water would be funneled through lead pipes
which made people sick from lead poisoning.
Barbarian Invasions
Rome is Attacked!
Barbarians Invade the
Roman Empire
 Huns (warriors from Central
Asia) invaded from
southeastern Europe
 Goths (Eastern tribes) who
could not defeat the Huns and
ran into Roman territory
 Vandals (Germanic tribe from
Northern Europe) invaded
Gaul (France), Spain, and
North Africa
The Empire in Chaos!
Originally the
Romans paid the
Goths not to attack.
When the Romans
stopped the
payments, the Goths
destroyed Rome in
410.
The End of the Western
Empire

 During the 400’s, Roman Emperors were weak and they
feared the empire grew to big. In fact, they even gave
away land so they could better protect their empire.
 In 476 the empire collapsed at the hands of the GOTHS
leaving no central leadership.
 Europe will fall into a period of chaos. People will need
to find a system of protection….enter…the FEUDAL
ERA!