Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire. What was the Roman Empire? There were two periods of Roman government. –Roman Republic 509 BCE-27 BCE –Roman.

Published byAlisha Thornton Modified over 8 years ago

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire. What was the Roman Empire? There were two periods of Roman government. –Roman Republic 509 BCE-27 BCE –Roman."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire

2

3 What was the Roman Empire? There were two periods of Roman government. –Roman Republic 509 BCE-27 BCE –Roman Empire 27 BCE-476 CE Rome technically had an “empire” under the Roman Republic. –But the term “Roman Empire” refers to the time period, beginning with Augustus, when Rome was ruled by emperors.

4 The End of the Republic Octavian was sole ruler of Rome after his forces defeated Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium The Senate gave him the name “Augustus,” meaning “most high” 27 BCE – Octavian, now referred to as Augustus, was made consul for life by the Senate –Also made “Princeps,” meaning “first citizen” Origin of the word “prince” –Also made “Imperator,” meaning “successful general” Origin of the word “emperor” –Also made “Pontifex Maximus,” or “chief religious leader Origin of the word “pontiff” (used to describe the pope today) –Also made a tribune –He had the power to call the Senate, veto the Senate’s laws, and make laws himself

5 The End of the Republic: Primus inter pares “First among equals” Augustus and later emperors tried to maintain the façade that they were elected officials rather than dictators Being “first among equals” gave the illusion that an emperor was the most prestigious and important member of the Roman Senate, but that each senator was simultaneously equally important In reality, the Roman emperors ruled with little input from anyone else

6 What was the Pax Romana? Established by Augustus 27 B.C.E Lasted nearly 200 years Benefits enjoyed by 60 million people It means Roman Peace A long period of relative peace and prosperity

7 Rome under Augustus: Why was it a Golden Age? Attempted to reform public morals by promoting family life (largely unsuccessful). Began the practice of declaring emperors gods, and of picking their own successors. (He called Haley’s Comet the spirit of Caesar.) Built and maintained the empire’s infrastructure (e.g., roads). Encouraged the growth of business. Established fire and police departments for Rome. Established a strong money system. Extended citizenship to more and more provincials. Said he “found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.” Jesus, the founder of Christianity, was born in the Roman province of Judea during the reign of Augustus.

8 The Fall of Rome: WHAT WENT WRONG? For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world. Rome continued to expand to include 3 continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa.

9 Roman Empire Expansion What is needed to control such a vast empire?

10 The Fall of Rome

11 Political Causes Oppressive government, loss of popular support Increased government corruption Division of empire – Too large to control Internal power struggles – Lack of organized system of succession

12 Diocletian ( 284—305) and the Division of the Roman Empire These included splitting the Empire into two in order to be more manageable, creating a new system of Imperial succession to answer the question of who would be Emperor of the newly divided East and West, called the system of "Tetrarchy", or "rule of four", whereby a senior emperor would rule in the East and West, and each would have a junior emperor.Tetrarchy Diocletian believed that going forward under the current system of Roman Imperial government was unsustainable. He initiated a number of reforms to prevent a return to the anarchy of previous generations and maintain the viability of the Empire.

13 Economic Causes Increase in taxes to support army and bureaucracy Reliance on slave labor Indenture of farmers to wealthy landowners Unemployment Welfare system

14 Social Causes Population decline caused by war and disease Decline in patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty Spread of Christianity Devotion of upper classes to luxury and self-interest Bread and Circus

15 Constantine ( 306-337) Constantine is famed for his rebuilding of Byzantium as Constantinople (Constantine's City). Constantine is best remembered in modern times for the Edict of Milan in 313 and the Council of Nicaea in 325, which fully legalized and legitimized Christianity in the Empire for the first time. These actions are considered major factors in the spread of Christianity and helped to give him the title of the "first Christian Emperor."

16 Military Causes Poorly trained armies Army deteriorates Little loyalty among hired soldiers Threat of the Huns Series of Germanic invasions beginning in 3 rd century

17 External Forces The warmer climate, rich farmlands, and wealth of the Roman lands attracted the Germanic tribes. By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was overrun by barbarians. Germanic tribes from northern Europe crossed the Roman frontier and invaded Greece, Italy, Spain, and coastal areas of Asia Minor.

18 Attila the Hun Attila the Hun was King of the Huns (circa 433-53). He was one of the most feared and notorious barbarians of all time. Sweeping west across the Rhine River into Gaul, Attila's forces fought the Romans at the Battle of Châlons in 451 CE. Against all odds, the Huns were defeated. Attila later died mysteriously, some say of a massive nose bleed. Attila’s retreat across the Rhine was the last victory achieved in the name of the Western Roman Empire.

19 Odoacer Odoacer (435 – 493), was the half Hunnish, half Scirian chieftain of the Germanic Heruli. He is best known to history as the man who deposed the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustus, in 476. As the first “barbarian king” of Italy, 476 is traditionally considered the end of the Western Roman Empire.

20 The Fall of Rome Once the Roman army could no longer defend its borders, Germanic tribes began pouring into Europe. One Roman province fell after another. In 476 A.D., the Western Roman emperor was overthrown. Odoacer was then proclaimed king of Italy. The ancient world was drawing to a close.

21 DeclineOfRome Economic Causes Military Causes Political Causes Social Causes Name:______________________Date:_______

22 Increase in taxes to support army and bureaucracy Poorly trained armies Division of empire Population decline caused by war and disease Little loyalty among hired soldiers Decline in patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty Reliance on slave labor Oppressive government, loss of popular support Internal power struggles Series of Germanic invasions Indenture of farmers to wealthy landowners Devotion of upper classes to luxury and self-interest Increased government corruption Causes of the Decline of Rome

23 DeclineOfRome Economic Causes Military Causes Political Causes Social Causes Name:______________________Date:_______ Oppressive government, loss of popular support Increased government corruption Division of empire Internal power struggles Poorly trained armies Little loyalty among hired soldiers Series of Germanic invasions Increase in taxes to support army and bureaucracy Reliance on slave labor Indenture of farmers to wealthy landowners Population decline caused by war and disease Decline in patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty Devotion of upper classes to luxury and self-interest

Download ppt "The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire. What was the Roman Empire? There were two periods of Roman government. –Roman Republic 509 BCE-27 BCE –Roman."

Similar presentations

The Decline & Fall OF The Roman Empire

The Decline & Fall OF The Roman Empire
Roman Republic to Roman Empire

Roman Republic to Roman Empire
BELLWORK To answer bellwork today, read the Twelve Tables packet. This is yours to keep, so you may highlight/take notes as you read. Answer the following:

BELLWORK To answer bellwork today, read the Twelve Tables packet. This is yours to keep, so you may highlight/take notes as you read. Answer the following:
Outcome: The Fall of the Roman Empire

Outcome: The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire at its Height The Roman Empire became huge It covered most of Europe, North Africa, and some.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire at its Height The Roman Empire became huge It covered most of Europe, North Africa, and some.
Rome - Its location allowed for good TRADE Geography

Rome - Its location allowed for good TRADE Geography
Essential Question: What factors led to the collapse of the Roman Empire & what effect did the fall of Rome have on the Mediterranean world? Warm-Up Question:

Essential Question: What factors led to the collapse of the Roman Empire & what effect did the fall of Rome have on the Mediterranean world? Warm-Up Question:
The Fall of Rome For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world.

The Fall of Rome For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world.
Should Rome have asked, “Where is the enemy?”?. Empire Crumbles  When the last of the “good emperors,” Marcus Aurelius died... ... He left his son,

Should Rome have asked, “Where is the enemy?”?. Empire Crumbles  When the last of the “good emperors,” Marcus Aurelius died... ... He left his son,
The Decline and Fall of Rome During the AD 200’s, while Christianity was spreading through the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes began to overrun the western.

The Decline and Fall of Rome During the AD 200’s, while Christianity was spreading through the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes began to overrun the western.
* For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world. Rome continued.

* For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world. Rome continued.
The Fall of Rome For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world.

The Fall of Rome For centuries after the rule of its first emperor, begun in 27 B.C.E., the Roman Empire was the most powerful state in the ancient world.
Is expansion a good or bad thing or both? What are some problems that an empire or country might have by being stretched out too far?

Is expansion a good or bad thing or both? What are some problems that an empire or country might have by being stretched out too far?
 During the third century A.D. all three sources of prosperity that existed during Pax Ramana disappeared.  Trade collasped  Loss of money  Farms.

 During the third century A.D. all three sources of prosperity that existed during Pax Ramana disappeared.  Trade collasped  Loss of money  Farms.
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Growth of Roman Empire.

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Growth of Roman Empire.
27 B.C.E. – 476 A.D.. Following the Punic Wars the situation around Rome was becoming unsettled. First landowners had begun using more slaves from the.

27 B.C.E. – 476 A.D.. Following the Punic Wars the situation around Rome was becoming unsettled. First landowners had begun using more slaves from the.
Pax Romana Roman Peace. Begins with the rule of Augustus Caesar www.uoregon.edu/~arthist/arthist_204/monumentimages/primaporta_augustus. gif  Defeats.

Pax Romana Roman Peace. Begins with the rule of Augustus Caesar gif  Defeats.
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Economic Troubles Decline begins after the pax romana in 3 rd Century Invaders made trade unsafe on sea and.

The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Economic Troubles Decline begins after the pax romana in 3 rd Century Invaders made trade unsafe on sea and.

Similar presentations

Ads by Google