The Fall of Rome

The Decline of the Empire Emperors begin weakening in Rome –With no heir to Marcus Aurelius, emperors not sure exactly how to rule Rome Economic problems begin as well –Trade begins to slow down Invaders disrupt trade on land and sea –Gold and silver no longer in high supply –Farms unable to produce enough food Rome needs money to pay for defense and other costs –Tries to raise taxes to pay costs –Also tries to mint coins with less silver Causes inflation (coins lose value)

The Decline of the Empire Military problems also arise for Rome –Germanic tribes constantly attacked borders –Persians also attacking eastern borders Referred to invaders as barbarians – term for non-Romans Discipline and loyalty to Rome collapse in military – Soldiers go back to being loyal to those fighting to become emperor – like the times of Caesars –Roman gov’t hires mercenaries – foreigners hired to fight Problem is they are not loyal to Rome either; its just a job Politics also declines in Rome –People lose their love and devotion to Rome –Holding public office is no longer an honor Now its only a way to become wealthy –As costs rise, no one wants to hold office anymore

Germanic Barbarians

4 Major Areas of Downfall for the Roman Empire Weak/poor leadership of Emperors –Unable to run a large empire properly and keep control Economic issues for the Empire –Not enough food or money to pay costs –Trade is being disrupted by invaders –Coined money with less silver to create inflation Military problems of constant invasions by Germanic tribes –Also being attacked by other groups of barbarians –Military no longer loyal and forced to hire mercenaries Political problems and lack of loyalty to government of Rome –People no longer want to hold public office

Attempted Reforms and Reformers Diocletian tried to reform Rome –Doubled the size of the military – provided jobs –Set fixed prices for goods to try to control inflation –Ordered farmers not to abandon their lands –Persecuted Christians – need to blame someone –Most important: he divided the Roman empire Divided it into East and West –East- Greece and east –West- Italy and west He took control of East, gave West to another leader Plan works for short time, then civil war breaks out again in Rome

Western Roman Empire Eastern Roman Empire

Constantine Makes Changes to Rome Takes power following Diocletian Constantine reunites the empire in 324 AD Moves the capital to the eastern side –No longer Rome as the capital Moves it to the city of Byzantium, renames it Constantinople after himself in 330 AD The west finally taken and Rome falls 476 AD –Overrun by Germanic tribes- (Huns, Angles, etc.)

Germanic Tribes and Attila the Hun Numerous Germanic tribes attacked Rome –Angles and Saxons took England –Other Viking groups took further north The Huns- Germanic tribe led by Attila –Attila attacked both sides of the empire –Took most of the land, except for Constantinople The Western half was gone; the Eastern half becomes the Byzantine Empire

The End of Western Rome Rome is attacked numerous times Constant attacks and lack of leadership end Western Roman Empire Capital is moved to Byzantium, then changed to Constantinople Western Roman Empire ends 476AD