The Decline of the Roman Empire 180 CE TO 476 CE

The beginning of the end... The decline of Rome began in the second century CE when enemies to the north and east began crossing the borders and plundering Roman territory. From the east, the Parthians (Iranian people) and later, the Sassanians threatened to expand into the Roman empire. By 293 CE, many parts of the empire were in revolt. The emperor, Diocletian, divided the Roman empire into two sections.

Two Emperors... Than One Diocletian ruled the eastern Empire and Maximian ruled the western Empire. Diocletian persecuted the Christians worst than any other Emperor/Ruler. Both resigned in 305 CE and many leaders attempted to take over.

Two Emperors... Than One Constantine fought in a civil war to become sole emperor of Rome. He built a new capital in a GREEK town and named it “Constantinople.” It would later become the capital of the great Byzantine empire. Maximian

Constantine Constantine looked upon Christians more favorably than Diocletian and later converted to Christianity (on his deathbed in 337 CE). In 312 CE, in response to a vision, he ordered his soldiers to wear Christian monograms on their shields into battle to show respect for the Christian God.

The Last Emperor Theodosius, the last emperor of Rome, made Christianity to official religion of the empire in 380 CE. He OUTLAWED other religions. Chi Rho – first two letters of “Christ” (XP)

The Last Emperor Barbarians (as the Romans called them) invaded Roman territory. Theodosius stepped down, and was replaced by two emperors. In 476 CE, a Germanic chief captured Rome and forced the western emperor to step down.

The Dark Ages In the east, the Byzantine empire emerged into greatness. In the west, the Germanic tribes fought each other and destroyed what was once triumphant in Rome – for this reason, the early part of the Medieval period has sometimes been called the Dark Ages.