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The Fall of Roman Empire. 6.5 pp 188-191. The End of the Pax Romana. After 180 A.D., the Roman Emperors were weak rulers Between 235 and 284, 20 emperors ruled- 19 of them died violently. Problems facing Rome. Weak leaders led to military dictatorships Threat of invasions
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The Fall of Roman Empire 6.5 pp 188-191
The End of the Pax Romana • After 180 A.D., the Roman Emperors were weak rulers • Between 235 and 284, 20 emperors ruled- 19 of them died violently
Problems facing Rome • Weak leaders led to military dictatorships • Threat of invasions • Army grew too large • Increased taxes led to inflation • Value of money goes down • Prices go up
Reforms • 2 Emperors slowed down the decline of the empire • Diocletian • Made the Empire an absolute monarchy • Divided Empire into Eastern and Western sections • Appointed a co-emperor to rule in the west • Each emperor had an assistant to help rule • Increased size of army to deal with invasions • Strictly regulated Roman society
Reforms • Constantine • Supported Christianity • Built a new capital in the Eastern Empire • Byzantium became Constantinople
Invaders • From Germany • Visigoths – attacked Rome in 410 • Ostrogoths • Vandals – attacked Rome in 450 • From Central Asia • Huns - led by Attila – attacked in 451
End of the Western Empire • 476 – Odoacer, a barbarian chief, conquered the Western Emperor • The Western Empire never recovered • The Eastern Empire lasted another 1000 years as the Byzantine Empire
