1. Decline and Fall of Rome

2. Period of conflict in 180 CE after death of Marcus Aurelius Severan rule begins in 193 CE – military rule Following this Dynasty cam a period of disorder – any military commander seized the throne (22 emperors in total)

3. Decline of Rome Series of Economic and Military problems Labor shortage created by a plague, left subject to invasions by Persians and Germanic tribes In desperate need of armies, but financial strains made it difficult to pay for them

4. Decline of Rome Rome becomes Latin Roman Empire Diocletian separates empire into 4 units Each unit had its own ruler Diocletian held ultimate authority

5. Decline of Rome Constantine becomes emperor in 306 CE Continues to expand Diocletian’s policies Inflation became a factor in decline – tried to combat with wage and price controls Jobs became hereditary to keep empire going

6. Decline of Rome Constantine establishes new capital city on the shores of Bosporus in Byzantium Renamed Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) Flourished as “New Rome” or Eastern Roman Empire

7. Fall of Rome Germanic Tribes – Visigoths – continued to invade Western Rome Huns – Asian invaders Huns forced Visigoths further into Rome

8. Fall of Rome Romulus Augusts final Roman Emperor Removed by Germans in 476 CE Marks the end of the Western Roman Empire

9. Decline and Fall of Rome: Main Reasons Christianity’s spiritual outlook weakened military values More non Italians meant less Roman Tradition in the country People fell ill from lead poisoning Plague (1/10 of pop wiped out) Lack of technology Poor political system