1. The Roman Empire Declines
5.5

2. What caused the Decline?
Economic Problems
Foreign Invasion
Decline in traditional values

3. Dividing the Roman Empire
Political Violence
The Pax Romana comes to an end with the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180
Leads to a 100 year period of political and economic turmoil
In a 50 year period at least 26 emperors reigned
Only one died of natural causes
Social & Economic Problems
High taxes
Over-cultivated farmland

4. Reforms Diocletian tries to restore order
Divides the empire into two parts
Kept control of the wealthier eastern part for himself and appointed Maximian as co-emperor
Tried to slow inflation by fixing prices on goods and services
Forced farmers to remain on the land and sons were required to follow their fathers occupation

5. Constantine Continued Diocletian’s reforms
Granted tolerance to Christians
New capital at Byzantium, renamed Constantinople
Results
Revived the economy
Held the empire together for about another century
Failed to stop the long-term decline

6. Invasions
Rome had faced attacks from Germanic Tribes east of the Rhine and north of the Danube for centuries
Wars in East Asia sent the Huns migrating to Eastern Europe
Reached Europe by 370
Caused Germanic groups to migrate into Roman territory
Roman legions were unable to withstand attack
Gave up lands in Britain, France, and Spain

7. Invasions Continue
Roman army suffers defeat in 378 when it tries to turn back to Visigoths at Adrianople
Invaders were attacking Rome’s borders, especially in the west
410 Visigoth’s overran Italy and plundered Rome
Vandals moved through Gaul, Spain and into North Africa
Attila the Hun’s conquest of Europe sent more people fleeing to the Roman Empire

8. The Fall of Rome?
476 Odoacer, A Germanic leader, ousted the Emperor of Rome
This event is referred to as the Fall of Rome despite the fact that Rome had already lost many of it’s territories