Chapter 9 Lesson 3 The Fall of Rome

The Roman Empire was Huge The Roman Empire was Huge. It covered most of Europe, North Africa and some of Asia. Question- What kind of problems can occur from being too big? Our events begin after the death of the last good emperor Marcus Aurelius.

I. Causes A. Government and economy lost stability due to weak and corrupt rulers 1. After 192 AD, emperors were mostly Generals (no longer an honor to have position) 2. They stole from Rome’s treasury and used the money to pay for loyalty from soldiers and things for themselves 3. Rulers would gain the throne through violence ( between 180 AD and 284 AD , Rome had 29 emperors-most were assassinated)

B. Military troubles 1. Soldiers no longer had discipline or loyalty to Rome. It was loyalty to their commanders. 2 Mercenaries were recruited to defend Rome. They would switch sides if it worked to their advantage (Motivation to fight was not out of loyalty to Rome but money.)

C. Empire was too big to rule from one place 1 C. Empire was too big to rule from one place 1. Attacks were occurring all over the empire (Asia, Africa, Northern Europe) 2. Tribes that at one time would have been easily defeated now poured over the border 3. Army had to defend the empire not extend it. (trade was made unsafe by land and sea)

Who were the invading tribes? Romans called them barbarians. They were tribes of people wanting land in a warmer climate and trying to get away from the Huns. (Vandals, Visigoths, Angles, Saxons) Attila the Hun negotiated with one of the Pope’s to stop attacking the west. After his death, the tribes still continued to invade. Roman Government even allowed the Visigoths to live in the Empire. They were treated badly and rebelled.

D. These problems led to Economic problems which led to Higher taxes, unemployment, food shortages, and inflation 1. Economics-how a country or empire meets the needs of its people. 2. With Rome no longer taking over land, new sources of wealth were not available and it set everything in motion 3. Severe unemployment 4. Food was scarce, so food prices went up. To pay for it government made more coins

5. Value of coin depended on amount of silver in it 5. Value of coin depended on amount of silver in it. Did not have a lot of silver to put in coins, so coins were worth less. (inflation) Lots of coins but little value. Prices went up. Coins would become worthless

II. Efforts to stop decline in the Empire 1. Emperor Diocletian enlarged the army, built forts at the border, and improved the tax system 2 . He divided the empire into two parts to make it easier to rule. He ruled the east (more wealthy) and appointed a co-emperor to rule the west. Stepped down in AD 305

III. Effects of dividing the empire A. Power struggles between co-emperors 1. Constantine would fight to take control of Rome a. would give freedom of worship to all people in the empire(Christians) b. Helped to build churches and even hired Christians for government jobs

B. Moves the capital city to the east to Byzantium in AD 330 B. Moves the capital city to the east to Byzantium in AD 330. Attempt to unite and stabilize the whole empire. Would rename Constantinople C. The power now shifted east. Eastern part of empire is wealthier, stronger, more powerful and not under attack 1. 400’s-tribes overran the Western empire 2. Rome was captured and looted in 410 AD and in 455 AD D. 476 AD- Western Roman Empire was attacked and fell to Germanic tribes (last emperor Romulus Augustulus)

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern half remained strong for 1000 more years. It would be known as the Byzantine empire and Constantinople would be its capital. It would preserve Roman and Greek traditions

IV. Legacy of Rome Law and government (veto power, 3 branches of govt., the Senate) Language (English is 1 of many influenced by Latin-called the Romance languages) Architecture (columns, arches, aqueducts, roads) Christianity