1.  Vocabulary:  Diocletian – Emperor of the Roman Empire around 284 A.D. Divided the empire into 2 regions, (east and west) He kept the wealthier eastern region.  Constantine – Succeeded Diocletian as Emperor in 312 A.D. Built new capital called Constantinople and center of the eastern empire.  Huns – Nomads from Central Asia who moved into eastern Europe by 350 A.D..  Visigoths – Germanic people displaced by invading Huns. They moved to safety in the western portion of the Roman empire.  Alaric – Visigoth general who conquered Italy.  Attila – Hun Leader who conquered much of Europe.  Odoacer – Germanic leader who ousted the emperor in Rome in 476 A.D.  Inflation: The rapid rise of prices.  Mercenary: Foreign soldiers serving for pay.

2.  Graphic Summary: The Long Decline: ▪ Military Causes: ▪ Visigoths and other Germanic peoples invade the empire. ▪ Roman army lacks training and discipline. ▪ Romans forced to hire foreign soldiers to defend borders. Economic Causes: Heavy taxes necessary to support the government. Farmers leave land. Middle Class disappears Romans use to much slave labor.

3.  Political Causes:  Government becomes to strict.  People stop supporting government.  Many corrupt officials.  Divided empire becomes weak. Social Causes Population declines because of disease and war. People become selfish and lazy