Fall of the Roman Empire

Fall of the Roman Empire Ms. Carmelitano

Crisis • The start of the decline of the Roman Empire is blamed on Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) • His reign ended PaxRomana • Emperors failed to control the large empire with increasing problems • By the 3rd century, AD Rome began facing problems • Within and outside of the Empire

1. Political • The Military began to fight over the throne • Causing much civil war and unrest • The emperor had difficulties controlling the massive empire • Political office seen as a burden • Division within the Empire • Citizens became less loyal to government • Romans had cared so much for the Republic thatthey would have sacrificed their life for it • As citizens lost respect for the empire, they became indifferent to its fate

2. Social • Harvest in western Europe became meager • Overworked soil • Years of war destroyed farmland • Food shortages and disease lowered the size of the population • Decline Morals of Romans • Disloyalty and lack of patriotism and corruption among the citizens • Growing contrast between rich and poor

3. Economy Weakens • Pirates on the Mediterranean disrupted sea trade • No new resources of Gold and Silver • Because Rome ceased to expand • Government had to raise taxes • Started minting coins that had less silver in order to make more coins • This resulted in inflation: a drastic drop in the value of money coupled with rising prices

4. Military Turmoil • Roman military began to decline • Soldiers were less disciplined and loyal • Allegiance was given to commanders not Rome • Commanders were constantly fighting for the throne • Government recruited mercenaries • Foreign soldiers fighting for money • Not as loyal

Attempt at Reform • Rome would survive another 200 years after Marcus Aurelius • Diocletian Reforms • 284 AD • Diocletian was a strong willed military leader and new emperor • Reforms: • Doubled size of army • Gained control of inflation by setting fixed prices for goods • Claimed descent from ancient Roman Gods and created new ceremonies

The Roman Empire Divides • Diocletian divided the empire in to 2 halves with 4 total parts by 293 AD • “tetarchy” – means: rule by four • He felt it had become too large for one person to Control • There were two rulers in the west and 2 in the east • The 2 were expected to rule their halves as partners • East: Greek Speaking • Anatolia, Greece, Syria, Egypt • Diocletian acted as Emperor • West • Italy, Spain, western Europe • Not as wealthy as the east

Rise of Constantine • Diocletian retired in 305 AD because of illness • Civil War broke out between the remaining rulers • Constantine, Maximian, Galerius • 311 • Constantine was victorious at the Battle of Milivan Bridge

Constantine • Gained control of the western portion of the empire in 312 AD • Gained control of the east, restored the empire in 324 AD • 330 AD moved capital from Rome to Greek city of Byzantium – in what is now Turkey • He named the Capital Constantinople • Surrounded the city with protective walls • Would again divide after Constantine's death

5. Outside Invasion: The West Falls • Germanic invasions • 370 AD Mongol Nomads from Asia, the Huns, began to attack the western part of Rome • Germanic people fleeing moved into Roman lands barbarians – into Gaul, Spain, and North Africa • Franks • Visigoths • Vandals • Huns

Attila the Hun • 444 AD all Huns united under Attila • 100,000 soldiers • Attacked east and western Rome • Could not get over the high walls of Constantinople • 452 AD famine and disease kept them out • Attila died in 453 AD, but the Germanic invasions continued

Romulus Augustus • 14 year old emperor • Ousted by German forces in 476 AD • Western power fell • Eastern half, now called Byzantine flourished

Fall of the Roman Empire