* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download End of the Empire
Survey
Document related concepts
Promagistrate wikipedia , lookup
Food and dining in the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
Roman historiography wikipedia , lookup
Constitution of the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
Rome (TV series) wikipedia , lookup
Roman economy wikipedia , lookup
The Last Legion wikipedia , lookup
Early Roman army wikipedia , lookup
History of the Constitution of the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
History of the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
Culture of ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Roman agriculture wikipedia , lookup
Transcript
The Disentegration of Rome’s Empire From Commodus to Romulus Augustulus 180-476 The Julian-Claudian Dynasty: Poisoned; Stabbed; Poisoned; Suicide Tiberius r 14-37 Caligula r 37-41 Claudius r 41-54 Nero r 54-68 Emperor Nerva r 96-98 • He initiated the adoptive system to provide for competent rulers The Five Good Emperors: • • • • • Nerva, 96-98 Trajan, 98-117 Hadrian, 117-138 Antoninus Pius, 131-161 Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 The Empire at its height, c 250 Commodus r 180-192 • His rule was one of debauchery, paranoia and insanity • Had Rome renamed as colonia Commodiana • Believed he was Hercules reborn • Most infamous act: slaughtered physically handicapped people dressed up as mythical enemies of the gods The Crisis of the 3rd Century Anarchy and Disorder: • From 235-285, there were 26 Soldier Emperors, 25 of whom died violent deaths • Referred to as “Barracks emperors” their power was derived from the military which sold itself to the highest bidder. [Thank you Marius!!!] • Military mutinies, civil wars and exploitation of t replaced protection of the borders. Signs of trouble: • Internal unrest – poor, slaves, Gaul, Egypt & Judea • Largephysical empire- slow transportation and communications • Landed nobility squandered wealth • Manual labor seen as degrading • Little incentive for innovation -10 million slaves • Govt kept grain prices low • Erosion of independent farmers accelerated • Overgrazing and Deforestation • Tide of rationalism gave way to mystery religions Two Emperors who tried to contain the awesome forces of disintegration: • Diocletian (285-305) and Constantine (306-337) Both faced the problem of threats to the borders from the Germanic tribes and from Persia. • They also had to deal with the on-going, internal economic crises that was eroding the high standard of living which had characterized the Pax Romana Diocletian (285-305) • To insure production of goods, farmers, artisans and unskilled workers had reside in their present location, hold their job for life and pass it on to their children • Fixed prices on all goods, grown or manufactured Diocletian, The Tetrarchy, 285-305 Constantine, 306-337 United the Empire under his rule First emperor to embrace Christianity – Milvian Bridge conversion In 324, Constantine moves East The Germanic Tribes c. 362 Battle of Adrianople, 378 • Rome faced its worst defeat since the Battle of Cannae (Hannibal) • The Emperor Valens was captured and killed The Goth cavalry was superior over the Roman foot soldiers • Significance: Rome could no longer secure its borders against new tactics of warfare Theodosius, 379-385 The last Emperor who could claim to rule both East and West. Upon his death, the empire was divided between his two sons, Arcadius (East) and Honorius (West) End of an Empire: 476 Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor was deposed by a German chieftain named Odovacer who claimed the western crown for himself. Rome’s last gasps… Theodoric the Great 489-526 After killing Odovacer ….an Ostrogoth king ruled Italy from Rome…Theodoric. • His rule was enlightened, peaceful and just- praised by Romans & barbarians. • Retained the Roman Senate, civil service and schools. Old, aristocratic families still held high positions in the government The real end of Rome… Germanic leader named Totila • By 544 Totila had established control of northern Italy at Ravenna. • In 546, his Gothic army sacked Rome, destroying baths, sewers, aqueducts, temples and government buildings.