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After Marcus Aurelius' death in 180 AD, Rome faced political and economic turmoil with frequent assassinations of emperors and high taxes. Emperor Diocletian divided the empire in 284 AD, leading to Constantine relocating the capital to Constantinople. Invasions by Huns and Germanic tribes weakened Rome, ultimately resulting in the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD.
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After the PaxRomana… • Political and economic troubles were normal in Rome after Marcus Aurelius died in 180 AD • Emperors kept being overthrown and assassinated, which doesn’t lead to a stable or healthy government • In one 50-year period, 26 different emperors reigned and only 1 died of natural causes • To support the army, high taxes were put into place (too high for people to be able to handle)
The Empire is Divided • Emperor Diocletian divided the empire into two parts in 284 AD in an effort to make it easier to govern • The eastern part was more prosperous, and he kept that part • He appointed a co-emperor (Maximian) to rule the western part • Constantine came to power in 312 in the eastern half and moved to capital to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople… this became the center of power for Rome
Invaders Threaten the Roman Empire • Rome had always faced attacks, but its army had been powerful and well-funded, so it wasn’t a problem • Around 200 AD, Huns from Eastern Asia moved across the continent and dislodged Germanic people from their homes • These people (Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and others) tried to seek safety by settling in the Roman territory • Rome couldn’t stop them and gave away Britain, then France, then Spain • In 410, a Visigoth army came into Rome and attacked and plundered it • Attila the Hun launched more attacks and more Germanic people came running • 476 AD: Roman emperor was ousted and the empire officially “fell” • The phrase “fell” is debated because the Byzantine empire (the Eastern part) remained, as did many Roman civilization/customs