2. BELLWORK: 10/9 What was Pax Romana?
Why were Barbarians able to invade the empire? Why couldn’t Rome’s strong military stop them?
Explain the economic problems leading to the fall of Rome.
How did Rome’s government become corrupt?
Look at the map on page 185  How would dividing the empire help protect Rome?
THINKER: In your opinion, why did the Roman Empire collapse? Your answer may relate to a specific theory, or combination of multiple theories.

3. Fall of Rome
End of the Empire

4. DISCUSSION…….
The Roman Empire continued to grow during the period of Pax Romana, but by the late 300’s, the Empire suffered severe problems that will lead to their eventual downfall in the 5th century.

5. Why did the Empire collapse?
Historians continually debate the real reason why the Roman Empire collapsed
Most agree it was between the 4th-5th centuries
Many theories have been explored and most concern the breakdown of political, economic, military, and other social institutions
Combined with barbarian invasions and internal conflict
Romulus Augustus, the last Roman emperor of the West, was overthrown by a Barbarian in 476.

6. Why did Rome fall? Economic Reasons Political Reasons Military Reasons
Rich vs. Poor; high taxes; lower classes couldn’t afford goods = slow down of trade
Political Reasons
No orderly succession – revolts/civil wars common; corruption increased
Military Reasons
Conquered people absorbed into military but not loyal to Rome; Empire became too big; invasions from neighbors could not be stopped
Social Reasons
Plague, War, religious divisions after rise of Christianity

8. Bellwork: Christianity
Explain the causes and effects of Jesus’ execution.
How did Christianity differ from Judaism?
How was Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire? What made it popular?
What eventually allowed Christianity to become the official religion of Rome? Explain!

9. Rise of Christianity in Rome

10. Review: Monotheistic Religions
Prophets
Sacred Text
Place of Worship
Beliefs and Practices

11. Ten Theories on the Fall of Rome
Historians continually debate the real reason why the Roman Empire collapsed (Most agree it was between the 4th-5th centuries)
To learn more about why Rome fell, you are going to read ten theories that attempt to explain exactly HOW and WHY the empire collapsed.
As you read, you will complete the corresponding worksheet. You will then write your own personal analysis……what do YOU think led to the fall of Rome?
The theories include: Barbarian invasions, decline in morals/values, environment/health problems, excessive military spending, inferior technology, inflation, political corruption, rise in Christianity, unemployment & urban decay/overpopulation

12. Why did Rome fall? Gap between rich and poor
Economic Reasons
Gap between rich and poor
Impoverished workers became tied to the land as coloni (sold as the land was sold)
As fewer members of the lower classes could afford to buy goods (no purchasing power), manufacturing and trade declined
Large estates became self-sufficient, further hurting manufacturing and trade
Military Reasons
Roman Republic
Armies were servants of Rome
Roman Empire
Armies made and unmade emperors
Reliance on barbarian troops
Not ultimately loyal to Rome
Could not be counted on to fight their fellow barbarians
Interested in obtaining booty, not defending Rome or furthering Rome’s interests

13. Why did Rome fall? Decline in patriotism
Political Reasons
Decline in patriotism
Democracy did not exist in reality
Citizens lost their tie (voting rights) to the state
Patriotism became based on loyalty to an emperor, not to Rome
Most emperors did not inspire respect or loyalty
East/West split
Two empires created problems regarding loyalty
No orderly succession
Murders, forced suicides, and civil wars frequently accompanied the transition from one emperor to the next
Social Reasons
Population decline
Hunger
Plagues
War
Decline in intellectual culture
People did not dedicate themselves to public service and intellectual pursuits
People instead spent their leisure time watching chariot races and gladiatorial contests
Religious divisions
Eastern and Egyptian cults took away the popularity and status of traditional Roman religion
New faiths like Christianity directly questioned and challenged concepts such as imperial divinity

14. Thesis Statements
A thesis is presented in the introduction and states exactly what you will be arguing. All evidence used in your short answer should relate back to your thesis.
Which is a good example?
Rome and Greece had a lot of similarities, but also, a lot of differences.
Rome and Greece both started as city-states, developed polytheism, and gave more political power to the people.
Although Greece and Rome had similar origins, religions, and governments, they differed in the types of government, use of the military, and reasons for decline.

15. BAD Example GOOD Example
Ancient Greece, specifically Athens, implemented a new type of government; democracy. Democracy was the earliest form of government that gave more rights to the people. The Greeks were allowed to directly vote for their leaders and laws. After the fall of their last king, Rome implemented a Republic. This new political system gave citizens more of a voice in the government. It allowed citizens to vote for representatives in the Senate. The Senate would then make decisions on behalf of the people. Roman citizens in the Republic were allowed to vote and hold public office.
One similarity between Ancient Greece and Rome was that both empires implemented new forms of government that gave more power to the citizens. Instead of previous rule by monarchs, Greece and Rome allowed citizens to vote in order to decrease corruption and give more of a political voice to the people. Although both Greece and Rome implemented citizen-based governments, they differed in the type. Greece had a democracy where people could vote directly on who was going to rule and which laws would be passed. On the other hand, Rome had a republic. This government still has aspects of a democracy, but is more based on representatives. Romans would elect representatives, who would then make decisions on their behalf. Even though the types of government were different, both gave more rights to the people and influenced modern governments.

16. Grading Component
Description
Thesis
(2 points)
Thesis is clearly stated and it is apparent what will be argued. It relates to the rest of your paper, and all examples used back up your original thesis.
Similarities
(6 points)
For the compare section – At least three similarities are examined. Each similarity must be explained in detail. Each similarity is worth two points: one for a correct comparison and one for a detailed & correct explanation
Differences
For the contrast section – At least three differences are examined. Each difference must be explained in detail. Each difference is worth two points: one for a correct contrasting statement and one for a detailed & correct explanation.
Mechanics
(3 points)
Correct grammar, punctuation, and word choice are used appropriately in the response.
Historical Understanding
Your answer demonstrates a high degree of historical understanding. Everything is accurate, detailed, and explained.

17. Explain the three groups that ruled over Mesopotamia.
BAD Example
GOOD Example
First, the Sumerians ruled Mesopotamia and next came the Babylonians. After the Babylonians, the Assyrians ruled until Persia conquered them. All three accomplished many things.
The Sumerians started as nomadic until they discovered the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. They established a civilization here and begin to organize it into city-states, advance agriculture and develop forms of writing. Next, the Babylonians emerged from a southern city-state, called Babylonia. They are mostly known for their leader and his codes, Hammurabi. The Assyrians were the last to rule Mesopotamia and excelled with their military. They started as a city-state in the north, but eventually used their military to conquer all of Mesopotamia. Around 1300BC, the Persians conquered the Assyrians and took control of the entire region leading to the end of Mesopotamia.