1. The Fall of the Roman Empire
In this lesson, students will identify factors which led to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:
Emperor Diocletian
Emperor Constantine
Barbarian Invaders
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2. The Romans had conquered a vast empire.
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3. Emperor Diocletian
In 284 A.D., the Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman empire into two parts: an eastern section and a western section.
Diocletian felt the Roman Empire was too big for one person to effectively govern.
Ruling such a vast empire was difficult.
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4. Emperor Diocletian
divided the Roman
empire into two
parts.
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5. Emperor Constantine
In 306 A.D., the emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium in Asia Minor.
Constantine renamed his new capital Constantinople.
Constantinople had a good location for trade.
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6. Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to
Constantinople.
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7. Can you find Constantinople on this map?
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8. Barbarians
For hundreds of years, Germanic tribes invaded the Roman Empire.
The Romans called these Germanic tribesmen Barbarians.
The term “Barbarian” was ethnocentric and insulting.
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9. The Roman army even built a wall trying to prevent the Barbarians from
invading.
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10. The Huns and The Barbarians
When the Huns (a central Asian tribe) attacked the Germanic tribes, the Germanic tribes were pushed into the Roman Empire.
At first, the Romans let the Visigoths (a Barbarian tribe) move within their empire.
However, the Visigoths had to promise not to bring their weapons.
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11. However, the
Visigoths did
not keep their
promise.
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12. The Battle of Adrianople
In 378 A.D. at the Battle of Adrianople, the Roman army was defeated by the Visigoths.
It was the first time, Rome could not defend itself.
In 476 A.D., the western Roman empire fell.
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13. Barbarian invaders, corrupt emperors,
and high taxes were just some of the
reasons for the fall of Rome.
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14. Questions for Reflection:
Who was Diocletian and what did he do to the Roman Empire?
Where did Constantine move the capital and why did he move the capital?
Define Barbarians.
Why is the Battle of Adrianople important?
List three factors for the fall of Rome.
When did Rome fall?
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