1. Decline and Fall of Rome

2. Empire in Crisis The Pax Romana ends in AD 180
Power taken by a series of short-lived emperors
High taxes on citizens
Poor farmers work for the wealthy in partial slavery

3. Diocletian Ruled as Emperor from AD 284 – 305. He was very strict
Divided empire into two parts, east and west.
In the west the language was Latin and in the east Greek.
Fixed prices to maintain the economy
Farmers stay on their land
All must follow their father’s job

4. The Division of the Roman Empire
Byzantium
Rome
Western Roman Empire
Eastern Roman Empire

5. Foreign Invasion
A series of Barbarian invaders from the North begin to terrorize Rome
Lasts from about AD

6. The Huns Migrated from central Asia
Led by the feared Attila, they raided the eastern empire
Terrorized Italy
Retreated back to eastern Europe after Attila’s death

7. The Visigoths Powerful Germanic tribe Rebelled against Romans
Led by Alaric, they capture and sack Rome in AD 410

9. The Fall of Rome
In AD 455, the Vandals become 2nd barbarian group to sack Rome
In AD 476, Germanic leader Odoacer overthrows the emperor of Rome
Marks the end of the Western Roman Empire

10. Military Causes for the Fall of Rome
Many foreign invasions from various barbarian tribes
The Roman army began to lack training and discipline
Rome relied on mercenaries – foreign soldiers paid to serve Rome, but not as loyal

11. Political Causes for the Fall of Rome
No rules of succession for the Emperor
Many corrupt public officials
Dividing the Empire weakened it
People less loyal to emperor, more to Christian Church

12. Economic Causes for the Fall of Rome
High taxes to support the army and government
The middle class becomes poorer, loses land
Reliance on slavery as a labor source

13. Social Causes for the fall of Rome
Population declines due to disease and constant war
Moral decay – loss of values and loyalty
It was expensive to keep up the “bread and circuses” people relied upon

14. Rome’s Legacy
Rome is the foundation for which the western world is built upon.
Rome like the Greeks left great displays of art and literature.
There are three great legacies of Rome
The Latin Language
Architecture: the arch, domes, coliseums, aqueducts, and roads
Roman law: fair and equality for all citizens