1. The Fall of the Roman Empire
“The higher you go, the harder you fall”

3. End of Pax Romana
After the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperors were never talented enough to run to massive empire (180 CE)
As a result of this failed leadership, the empire started to decline.
Rome would never be the same size as it was when Marcus Aurelius died

4. Reasons for the Fall Quality of Life Decline in Morality
Decrease in Military Power
Political Instability
Economic Contraction

5. Quality of Life
Slaves meant there was no work on farms which led to mass migrations into cities
An increase in city populations made healthy living impossible
Starvation and sickness led to large scale pandemics

7. Urban Decay Crime rates jump when people get desperate
Buildings collapse due to decay and neglect
More slaves means less jobs for plebeians

8. Public Health
Water sources become tainted which leads to the spread of cholera and other waterborne illness
Healthy food is in short supply – Government can’t feed all the people
Disease from rotting corpses and animals from the coliseum spread deadly diseases

10. Decline in Morality
Morality = A society’s view of what is right and wrong
The Roman people demand more and more violence to keep entertained
Wealthy patricians live overly luxurious lifestyles at the cost of the poor

12. Decrease in Military Power
Roman soldiers become undisciplined
The cost to pay “Roman” soldiers was too high
Numerous civil wars break out for control of empire
25 of 37 Emperors assassinated in 100 year period

13. New Roman Army Armies were made up of foreign mercenaries
Fought for less money
Not concerned about the success of Rome
Soldiers refused to fight against Rome’s enemies

15. Political Instability
Patrician class fights for control of the Roman Empire
No clear way to name a successor to Roman Emperor
Bribery and money bought political favors

16. Roman Emperors Corruption
Many Roman emperors were more concerned about maintaining power than protecting the empire
Spent all of Rome’s money on games and parties

18. Economic Contraction Hostile tribes and pirates raid Roman treasuries
No new expansion meant no new gold to refill the Roman treasuries
Rome raises taxes to make up for losses

19. New Coinage Coins could no longer be made of pure gold or silver
Shop keepers wanted more to make up for lack of gold and silver left out of coins
Prices for everyday items skyrocketed (Inflation)

21. Attempted Reform
Few emperors tried to stop the decline of Rome’s power
Legalism is temporarily effective
Kept Rome together for an additional 200 years

22. Split of Rome
To help maintain control of Rome, Emperor Diocletian (284 CE) divides Rome into two parts
East (Greek Speaking)
West (Latin Speaking)
Constantine moves the Roman capital to “Constantinople”

24. East Becomes Superior
The eastern part of the Roman Empire becomes the better side
Western Rome declines as barbaric tribes invade
Western Empire is controlled more and more by the church

26. The Western Empire Crumbles
Germanic tribes gain power and invade Western Rome from the north
Superior military technology
The Huns attack in 370 CE
Came from the Mongols
Huns attack the north forcing non-Romans to flee into Roman lands

28. Barbarians Become Barely Barbaric
Barbarians adapt military techniques more superior than the Romans
The spread of Christianity gives the barbarians more confidence against Rome
Multiple barbaric tribes attack Rome successfully

30. Conclusion
Western Roman Empire crumbles with the last emperor in 476 CE
Eastern Roman Empire is renamed the Byzantine Empire and flourishes for an additional 1000 years (Ends in 1453 CE)

32. Progression of Western Civ.
Rome left behind a roots of Western Civ.
Roman Catholic Church
Latin Language
Master Builders
Roman Law
Preservation of the Greek culture

35. Fall of Rome Exit Ticket
List the 5 themes that summarize the fall of the Roman Empire:
Of these 5 themes, which do you believe was the most influential in causing the fall of the Roman Empire? (Explain in a paragraph or two why this theme was more influential than the other themes.)