Characteristics of Roman Civilization & Causes for its Fall

1. To Analyze the Characteristics of Roman Civilization & Causes For Its Fall__________________ Global History & Geography Br. Siraj | 6 January 2020

2. Physical Setting • Located on the Italian Peninsula and the Valley of Latium • Located Inland on the Tiber River • Good access to Sea and Well Protected. Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

3. Political Characteristics of Rome • Early Rome was a Republic – A government whose head is not a monarch and some people’s representation is there. • A Senate made laws • Two Consuls and Praetors Ruled the Country • Patricians – Wealthy landowning class controlled the government • Plebeians – Ordinary Romans Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

4. Political Characteristics of Rome • Roman Conquests Turned Rome Into an Empire • Octavian Became the First Emperor • He was given the titles of “Augustus” & “Imperator” by the Senate. • Starting with Augustus’s rule Rome Created a 200-years of Peace called, “Pax Romana” or Roman Peace. Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

5. Roman Contributions • Law: • Twelve Tables and Laws of Nations • Art & Architecture • Greek Concepts were borrowed and Used • Buildings were mighty and elegant • Public Buildings and Theatres were made • Latin Language was promoted for writing • Engineering • Romans Built excellent roads, bridges, harbors and aqueducts • Romans also made Arches and Domes Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

6. Architecture Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

7. Social Characteristics of Rome • Social Division – 2 social classes • Patricians – initially controlled all power • Plebeians – common people • Rampant Slavery • Used as farmhands, domestic servants and as teachers and doctors Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

8. Homework • Questions 1s and 2s on pages 154, 162 and 168 Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

9. What were the Causes of the Decline & Fall of Rome? Global History & Geography Br. Siraj 6 January 2020 Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

10. Fall of Rome • Military Causes • Invasion by Foreign People • Germanic tribes: Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Angles- Saxons, Franks, Vandals • Asian Huns • Lack of discipline and organization in Roman Army • Dependence on Foreign Soldiers • Hired German soldiers did not understand Roman traditions Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

11. Fall of Rome • Economic Causes • Heavy taxes • Farmers abandoning land • Disappearance of Middle class • Decline in trade and small industry • Labor shortage due to plague • Too much slave labor hinders technological progress Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

12. Political Causes • Too Strict Government • Loss of people’s support • Corrupt officials • Divided empire • Diocletian divided the empire into four units with a ruler for each. • Constantine continued with the policy • Administrative and Military reforms drained the public fund. Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

13. Social Causes • Population decline due to diseases and war • Mental power decline due to lead poisoning • Selfishness and laziness • Strict Social Class System • Christian emphasis on non-violence cause decline in military spirit Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

14. The Fall of Rome • After Constantine the Empire continued to be divided into Western [based in Rome] and Eastern [based in Constantinople] empires • 378 C.E. Visigoths defeated a Roman Army. In 410 C.E. they sacked Rome • Vandals in 455 and sacked the city. • In 476 C.E. Western Emperor Romulus Augustulus was deposed by German head of army. Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)

15. Homework • Questions 1 - 15 on Page 180 Teacher: Br. Siraj (Global History)