2. * 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 to expand to include 3 continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa. *

3. Roman Empire Expansion

5. * * By the second century, the Roman Empire seemed indestructible. Yet, by the end of the fifth century it had collapsed. Rome did not fall instantly. * Instead the empire went through a long * slow decline. Many conditions caused the fall of Rome including internal (inside) and external (outside) forces.

6. * Internal Forces * 3 Main Categories: - Political - Economic - Social * External Forces * - Invaders, also called barbarians

8. Corruption in government Plebeians had no rights Empire too large to control Emperors plotted against each other for control instead of uniting Civil wars Government lost loyalty as patricians moved to villas and stopped caring about government Army deteriorates

9. Slavery Unemployment Welfare system Taxation Forced labor Decrease in trade

11. Spread of Christianity

13. * Invaders, also called barbarians, began to invade in the 3 rd century. Germanic tribes from northern Europe crossed the Roman frontier and invaded Greece, Italy, Spain, and coastal areas of Asia Minor. 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. *

14. Barbarian Invaders Map

15. Diocletian Attila the Hun Odoacer Constantine

16. Diocletian

19. Attila the Hun

20. Constantine

21. * 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.

22. THE END

23. * Slide 3- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map26.html * Slide 4 map of roman empire atlas book * Slide 8- www.romanempire.net/graphics/senate.gif * Slide 9- http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/economy/economy.htm * Slide 10- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/gladiator.gif * Slide 11- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map31.html http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map31.html * Slide 12- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/small-cannae.gif * Slide 14- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map21.html http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map21.html * Slide16- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/6946/images/diocletian3.jp g * Slide 17- http://www.doser.org/his9/ancient_rome_pics/4.jpg- * Slide 18- odoacer * Slide 19- * http://encarta.msn.com/find/MediaMax.asp?pg=3&ti=00566000&idx=4 61515441 http://encarta.msn.com/find/MediaMax.asp?pg=3&ti=00566000&idx=4 61515441 * attila 3 of them * Slide 20- http://www.roman-emperors.org/constai.jpghttp://www.roman-emperors.org/constai.jpg