Fall of the Roman Empire

1. Fall of the Roman Empire Mr. Lawrence

2. The Power Structure Crumbles • The Roman Economy begins to weaken as expansion ends • Inflation ensues because of a lack of Natural Resources • Raising taxes • Bandits attack trade routes • Also the Food supply begins to shrink • The Military begins to fail due to the of new practice of hiring Mercenaries in the place of Romans

3. Reforming Emperors • Diocletian • Strong-willed and military minded • Realizes the empire cannot be run by one man and splits the empire in two leaving himself in charge • Constantine • - Legalized Christianity in an attempt to unify the Empire • - Moved the Capital from Rome to Constantinople

4. Barbarian Invasions • The first group to invade are the Germanics • Many tribes come across the border seeking protection in exchange for military service • However, the Romans treat them poorly and they revolt against the Empire, ending in the sacking of Rome by Alaric in 410 CE

6. Attila the Hun • Attila the Hun would also attack both the Eastern and Western Empires • Causing fear in the Empires and causing more distrust in the Roman Government

7. Christianity • Constantine hoped to unite the Empire and bring peace by making Christianity the Religion of the Empire. • However, He only brought more problems to a lack of loyalty to Rome

8. The Legacy of Rome • Greco-Roman Culture: Was born out a mixture of the Hellenistic and Roman Worlds • Today this is called Classical • Latin Language • Modern Architecture • Roman Law