1. Decline & Fall of Rome

2. Warm Up
Do you feel as if America is in its ascendency or decline as a civilization? Why?

3. Key Vocabulary
Diocletian - emperor of Rome who divided the empire into two halves.
Constantine - emperor of Rome who made Christianity the religion of the empire and shifted the capital from Rome to Byzantium.
Constantinople - formally named Byzantium, the city served as the Roman Empire’s new capital.

4. Essential Question
What are the social, political, and economic reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire? Explain.

5. The Decline of Rome Roman decline begins in 180 CE
Before the decline Rome’s economy was good! It was very rich in gold and silver taken from conquered territories.
There were great trade routes to Asia and Africa.
Farmers grew plenty of grain.
Then…

6. Hostile tribes and pirates disrupted trade and caused expensive wars.
Romans bought too many luxury items from India and China.
Expansion of the Empire ended, so there were no new sources of money being created!
So…

7. To pay its debts, the government raised taxes!
(Economic) Harvests become poor because soil was overused. Farmers abandoned the land because they could not pay taxes.
This caused inflation which is the drop in the value of money accompanied by a rise in prices.
(Military) Military had problems with discipline and loyalty. They began to lose! The government was forced to hire mercenaries. Mercenaries were paid soldiers from other countries who fought for less pay, but were not loyal to the Empire.

8. 3. (Political) There was no patriotism in the government
3. (Political) There was no patriotism in the government. The rich were indifferent to the government. Officials lost money having to sponsor so many festivals! No one wanted to serve in the government because it was too expensive for them! The army then took over the government which made it UNSTABLE!

9. Amazingly, the empire remained intact for another 200 years because of reforms made by emperors.
Emperor Diocletian
Took control in 284 AD
Restored order in the Empire and increased its strength
Doubled the size of Roman Army
Set fixed prices for goods-controlled inflation
Forced famers to stay on their land and other workers to stay in jobs for life
Divided Roman Empire into an Eastern Half and Western Half.

10. The Roman Empire Is Divided
Roman Empire Divides
East
Greek speaking
Greece, Anatolia, Syria, Egypt
Ruler: Diocletian
Rich: Empires greatest trade centers and cities
West
Latin Speaking
Italy, Spain, Gaul, Britannia
Ruler: Maximus
Poor
Civil War (312 AD)
Constantine gains control of the West after the Civil War!

12. Fall of Rome Constantine The Western Empire would fall in 476 AD
Creates new capital in East
Secures control of East
Single Ruler
Moves capital from Rome to Byzantium…later renamed Constantinople
Center of power shifts from west to east (324 AD)
East would flourish
Byzantine Empire lasted another 1000 years
The Western Empire would fall in 476 AD

13. Graphic Organizer

14. Reflection What were some of the major causes for the decline of Rome?
What effect did Diocletian have on Rome?
What were some differences between the Western and Eastern Roman Empire?
What is the significance of Constantine? What does he help flourish?

15. Answer the Essential Question
Answer the lesson essential question to the best of your ability using the knowledge you have gained from this lesson.
What were the social, political, and economic reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire?