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Decline of the Western Roman Empire

Decline of the Western Roman Empire. Begins with reign of Commodus AD 192 Lasts about 300 years Three phases of decline. Three Phases of Decline. 3 rd Century Crisis Revival and Division of East and West Invasions. 3 rd Century Crisis c. AD 200-300. Economic Political Military.

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Decline of the Western Roman Empire

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  1. Decline of the Western Roman Empire

  2. Begins with reign of Commodus AD 192 • Lasts about 300 years • Three phases of decline

  3. Three Phases of Decline • 3rd Century Crisis • Revival and Division of East and West • Invasions

  4. 3rd Century Crisis c. AD 200-300 • Economic • Political • Military

  5. Economic • Sources of prosperity dry up • Trade- more pirates on the Mediterranean Sea and barbarians disrupting overland trade • Roman gold and silver leaving Empire to purchase luxury goods from the east (China, India, Arabia) causing trade deficit and inflation • Overuse of farmland causing decreased harvests

  6. Political • Citizen loyalty decreases form Republican times • Political office no longer attractive. Most lose money while holding office • Armies are heavily involved in politics, especially in the selection of the Emperor

  7. Military • More losses to barbarians • Soldiers fight for money not patriotism. Soldiers wages rise • More barbarians hired into army- less loyal

  8. Revival and Division • Under Emperor Diocletian AD 284 • Doubled the size of army • Price and wage controls • Persecution of Christians • Increase prestige of Emperor- more like Persian Emperors • Division of Empire by East/West, Greek/Latin. One Emperor for each half. Diocletian takes eastern half

  9. Invasions

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