U8 L4: The Fall of the Roman Empire

Collapse of Western Rome

Germanic people attacked and looted the city of Rome in 455 CE - in 476 CE, a German king forced the last emperor of western Rome from power - The Eastern Roman Empire became the byzantine Empire, which lasted until 1453

Collapse of the Western Empire

- Diocletian divided the empire, which was briefly reunited under Constantine - The empire faced constant threats from Huns and Germanic tribes - the empire was not strong enough to fight off these invaders - The western empire fell in 476 CE

Emperor Diocletian (245-316 CE)

- governed as an absolute ruler - divided the empire into eastern and western regions - standardized coins and fixed prices to help with inflation - brought order to rome in the short term

Reasons for the Empire's Decline

- political instability - military conflict - economic crisis

What was the most significant factor that led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire?

Although many factors contributed to the fall of the empire, economic problems were the most significant cause of the empire's collapse. After the split of the empire, the western half was faced overwhelming economic problems. These included high inflation, high taxes, and a loss of trade. These economic problems meant that the empire could not pay its army and could no longer govern effectively. Eventually, the Roman Empire fell to invaders.

The Huns

Attila the Hun attacked the empire with 100,000 troops - They attacked more than seventy cities - they failed to capture Rome or Constaninople

The Eastern Roman Empire is located at: Constantinople is located at: Rome is located at:

B D C

Constantine the Great's Unification of the Empire

Constantine gained control of both halves and emerged as Rome's sole ruler - moved the capital to Byzantium and renamed it Constaninople - He converted to Christianity and ended the persecution of Christians - after his death, the western empire again fell into decline

The story of its ruin is simple and obvious; and, instead of inquiring why the Roman empire was destroyed, we should rather be surprised that it had subsisted so long. What argument is the author making in this passage? Rome's decline is not easy to understand. Rome only survived because it was so large. It is a wonder that Rome did not fall even sooner. We should not bother asking why Rome was destroyed.

It is a wonder that Rome did not fall even sooner.

Factors Leading to Collapse

Political and Social Factors - service in government seen as a burden - Less public interest in the affairs of government - decreased support for military service Economic Factors - disrupted trade - high ta

Defending the Frontier

Rome's borders faced constant attack, and the empire began to lose territory - rome increasingly relied on mercenaries - the army became harder to control and was less loyal to the emperor

Rome's Political Problem

The Pax Romana ended in 180 CE - Rome entered a tinme of political instability - From 235-284 CE, nineteen different emperors ruled

Wrap-Up

The fall of the Western Roman Empire marked the beginning of the Middle Ages - smaller kingdoms governed in europe - the catholic church became a very powerful political force

The Enemies of Rome

Two key enemies of Rome were: - Huns from central Asia - Germanic tribes from Germany and eastern Europe

Which of these factors led to the decline and eventual collapse of the Western Roman Empire? Select all that apply. [] Constantine was a weak ruler. [] Inflation was causing economic problems. [] People were less interested in serving in government or in the military. [] Too many Roman citizens wanted to join the army. [] Outside invaders threatened the border areas.

[] Constantine was a weak ruler. [X] Inflation was causing economic problems. [X] People were less interested in serving in government or in the military. [] Too many Roman citizens wanted to join the army. [X] Outside invaders threatened the border areas.

Most respected and peaceful of all emperors, although in your most happy and prosperous reign all other persons enjoy an untroubled and calm existence . . . we are unreasonably oppressed and are suffering extortion [blackmail] from those whose responsibility it is to protect the public welfare. Although we live far away from the capital, and do not have the protection of our own military, generals and soldiers and prominent noblemen and officials of the city come to us, leaving the highway and take us away from our work. They requisition our oxen so we cannot plow the fields, they take taxes that are not their due. Most respected and peaceful of all emperors, although in your most happy and prosperous reign all other persons enjoy an untroubled and calm existence . . . we are unreasonably oppressed and are suffering extortion [blackmail] from those whose responsibility it is to protect the public welfare. Although we live far away from the capital, and do not have the protection of our own military, generals and soldiers and prominent noblemen and officials of the city come to us, leaving the highway and take us away from our work. They requisition our oxen so we cannot plow the fields, they take taxes that are not their due. Background information: This petition was sent to the emperor from a group of villagers in Phyrigia, in modern-day Turkey, in 246 CE. Why are these villagers writing to the emperor? Select all that apply. [] to let the emperor know they no longer want military protection [] to complain that local officials are unfairly taxing them [] to let the emperor know that soldiers are stealing their farm animals []to praise their local government for their untroubled lives

[] to let the emperor know they no longer want military protection [X] to complain that local officials are unfairly taxing them [X] to let the emperor know that soldiers are stealing their farm animals []to praise their local government for their untroubled lives

absolute ruler

a leader who rules with unlimited power and authority

Germanic

something that relates to Germany

persecution

to face discrimination or mistreatment as a result of one's personal characteristics or beliefs

After their success at destroying a Roman city, the Goths recrossed a narrow stretch of ocean, carrying treasure stolen in war, and returned along the same route by which they had entered Asia, sacking other cities on the way. Background Information: This passage was written in ancient times by a man of Gothic descent who lived within what had been Roman territory. It describes an attack by a Germanic tribe on Roman territory. According to this passage, what is the most likely reason that the Goths attacked a Roman city? to drive Romans out of the city and settle there themselves to terrorize the Romans and keep them from colonizing Germany to send a message to the emperor that they could not be defeated to take Roman wealth for themselves and carry it back to their homeland

to take Roman wealth for themselves and carry it back to their homeland

Long-Term Causes of Rome's Decline

- political instability created weak leadership - economic problems, including inflation and declining trade, developed - service in government was seen as a burden - decreased support for military service resulted in increased reliance on mercenaries - people were less patriotic and displayed weakened support for the empire

Effects of the Collapse

Era following the collapse of Rome (476-1400) is often called "The Dark Ages" - Europe was divided into dozens of small kingdoms - Unlike Rome, these kingdoms had no written rule of law - literacy, education, and the production of written works declines - complex economic systems--including taxation, trade, and the use of money--deteriorated - no more great construction projects were created

Rome is still looked upon as the best place on earth, and the name of the Roman people is respected and praised. But the magnificence of Rome is defaced by the rude silliness of a few Romans. . . .Some of them are more eager to obtain golden statues than to do anything right and honorable. . . . Background information: This passage was written in ancient times, only ten years before Rome was attacked by Germanic people. The author of the passage was a Greek man who visited the city of Rome. What is the author's opinion of the Roman people? Romans are the most respected, praised, and magnificent people on Earth. Romans are rarely viewed by the rest of the world as rude and silly. Romans are greedy and out of touch with what really makes a great society. Romans are the richest people on Earth and should serve as a model.

Romans are greedy and out of touch with what really makes a great society.

[T]he decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate [excessive] greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and, as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight. Background information: This is a passage from a famous book by Edward Gibbon called The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Gibbon was a English historian who devoted much of his life documenting the history of Rome's fall. What is the main idea of this passage? Rome fell because of food shortages and inflation. Rome fell because it had conquered too much territory. Rome fell because it hired too many mercenaries. Rome fell because its government had become politically unstable.

Rome fell because it had conquered too much territory.

Rome faced attacks on its frontier The Pax Romana ended Roman emperors minted more coins

Rome hired mercenaries political upheaval and violence increased inflation occured