1. Ch 2.2 - Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
EQ’s:
1. . What changes were made to the Roman Empire before it fell?
2. What internal problems lead to the fall of the Roman Empire, AND what happened when it fell?

2. Roman Empire

3. Internal Weaknesses Threaten Rome
Rome began to decline in the late second century due to internal problems including
Economic Decline
Disloyal Military
Political Corruption
Slavery
Lack of Patriotism
Invasions
Empire seemed strong to people but, internal problems will begin to make Rome fall

4. Internal Problem #1:Economic Difficulties
Rome Stopped expanding which meant it had no new sources of wealth.
Officials struggled to pay empire’s expenses and maintain cost of army
Government raised taxes
Higher taxes caused hardship for citizens
No Expansion, No
New Wealth
Officials struggled to pay empire’s expenses and maintain cost of army
Government raised taxes
Higher taxes caused hardship for citizens

5. Internal Problem #2:Social Difficulties
Harder to become educated as cost of education increased
Distributing news across such a vast empire became more difficult
People grew ignorant about civic matters, leading to less citizen involvement in government
This was specially true for those that were poor!

6. Q3: Internal Problem #3:Agriculture Decline
Italy and western Europe soil became difficult to farm due to constant warfare and overuse
Harvests grew increasingly weak, less food produced
Slave labor discouraged improvements in technology that might have helped farming
Disease and hunger began to spread, population declined
Romans practiced slavery.
Slaves were mainly captives who were forced to work in the fields

7. Internal Problem #4: Military Issues
Less money coming in to pay army properly
Soldiers became less disciplined and loyal to the emperor.
Pledged allegiance to individual military leaders instead of Emperor of Rome
Rome’s powerful army showed signs of trouble

8. Internal Problem #5:Political Problems
Feelings of loyalty declined among average citizens
Romans used to engage actively in civic duties and public affairs but began to care less
Roman politics grew increasingly corrupt
Politicians became more interested in financial gain than public service
Citizens lost their willingness to sacrifice for the good of Rome. Lost pride in government.

9. FYI: Rome’s Slow Decline
Rome’s Decline happened slowly and Rome struggled to survive for another 200 years. The leadership of two strong emperors helped Rome from falling.
The first Emperor was______________.

10. Rome Divides into East and West
Diocletian became leader of Rome in 284 AD
Restored order by ruling with an iron fist
Divided Rome into east and west
Two parts made Rome’s immense territory easier to govern

11. Constantine’s First Major Change
After Diocletian, Constantine came to power in Rome. Constantine made two major changes to the Roman Empire. The first was in 313 AD.
Constantine outlawed all attacks on Christians.
By allowing Christians to worship freely, Constantine helped Christianity grow.

12. Constantine’s Second Major Change
The second major change Constantine instituted was moving the capital of the Roman empire from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium in 330 AD. .

13. Constantine Continue
Byzantium became known as Constantinople, after Constantine (Today it is known as Istanbul)
New capital signaled shift in power from western part of empire to the east

14. Fall of the Roman Empire
Unfortunately Rome’s slow decline would turn into a rapid downfall once Rome was invaded.
Different foreign groups (known as barbarians) swarmed around Rome’s borders.
Rome’s internal problems made it easier for Germanic Tribes (barbarians) to invade

15. FYI: Barbarians
Numerous Germanic people (known as barbarians) lived outside of Rome’s borders
In the late 300’s they began pushing their way into Roman lands

16. FYI:Why Did Barbarians Want to Invade?
Looking for better land
Gain some of Rome’s wealth
Trying to escape from the Huns in Asia

17. FYI: The Huns Fierce group of warriors from Asia
Eventually the Huns conquer parts of Rome
Other Germanic tribes also conquer parts of Rome
Most of Western Roman Empire fell to Barbarian tribes and the Huns in 476

18. End of the Roman Empire
The Western portion of the Roman Empire fell in 486 AD.
Clovis, leader of a Germanic group known as the Franks, conquered remaining Roman land in the West
The Eastern part of Roman empire survived Barbarian attacks and became known as Byzantine Empire
Clovis