The Fall of the Roman Empire

Presentation on theme: "The Fall of the Roman Empire"— Presentation transcript:

1 The Fall of the Roman Empire

2 The Roman Empire at its Height
The Roman Empire became huge It covered most of Europe, North Africa, and some of Asia The Empire reached its height under Emperor Diocletian ( CE)

3 The Decline Begins 180 CE Marcus Aurelius died
His son, Commodus, took control of Rome Commodus was a poor leader, killed by his bodyguard Time of disarray follows Commodus from the movie Gladiator

4 Political Problems Poor leaders weakened the government
Frequent fights for power Many officials took bribes Talented people chose not to serve due to dangers of government life

5 Social Problems Taxes were too great, many rich people stopped paying
People stopped attending school Large number of people enslaved Plague (disease) spread throughout Rome, killing 1 in 10 Famine: There was not enough food to feed people

6 Economic Problems Farmers lost land, unable to grow and sell crops, out of work (and famine) People bought fewer goods, shops closed Inflation occurred: Rapidly rising prices. Money lost value because fewer taxes paid. Coins lost value: Less gold put in, people found out (caused inflation) Bartering grew: sell goods without using money No taxes, no money

7 Military Problems Military only in it for money (mercenaries)
No money to pay military = weak military Constant threat of invaders on empire’s borders Weak military, unable to stop border invasions

8 Diocletian 284 CE, Diocletian became emperor
Tried reforms (political changes) Set price limits

9 Dividing the Empire Diocletian felt that the only way to save the empire was to divide it in half Created two empires: Western and Eastern Western Empire: Europe/ North Africa and city of Rome Eastern Empire: Turkey/ Asia and city of Byzantium Two emperors, emperor in charge of Rome was senior

10 Constantine Diocletian retired and Constantine took his place as emperor Constantine (312 CE) united the empire again under one ruler First Christian emperor Edict of Milan? Attempted reforms Main reform: sons had to follow fathers’ trade

11 Constantinople Rome continued to decline
Constantine moved the capital from Rome to city of Byzantium City name changed to Constantinople (today is Istanbul)

12 Current Day (Hagia Sofia Church)

13 Rome invaded Western Empire unable to hold off German tribes on its borders Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Saxons German tribes wanted warmer area, Roman riches, and to flee the Huns

14 Attila the Hun: “The Scourge of God”

15 Visigoths Rome agreed to allow the Visigoths to live inside of Roman boundaries Romans treated Visigoths badly Visigoths rebelled and defeated the Romans Visigoth leader, Alaric, captured Rome in 410 CE

16 Vandals Vandals followed Visigoths and spent 12 days stripping Rome of valuables (vandalism) Many more German invaders followed Finally, a German general named Odoacer defeated the western emperor Romulus Augustulus (14 years old, little Augustus)

17 Odoacer

18 Eastern Roman Empire Although the Western Empire fell in 476 CE, the Eastern Roman Empire continued to prosper for 1,000 more years Became known as the Byzantine Empire