chapter 8.2 decline and fall of rome - schoolwires · decline and fall of rome diocletian and...

CHAPTER 8.2DECLINE AND FALL OF ROME

DECLINE AND FALL OF ROME

Problems and Upheavals

•Pax Romana ends in 180 A.D. with death of emperor Marcus Aurelius

•Subsequent emperors unable to govern giant empire

DECLINE AND FALL OF ROME

Rome’s Economy Weakens

• Hostile tribes outside the empire disrupt trade; food production

• Overworked soil, war-torn farmland leads to food shortages

• Plague creates labor shortage

• Labor and financial difficulties made it hard to hire soldiers

DECLINE AND FALL OF ROME

Diocletian and Constantine Reform the Empire

• Empire evolves:

•“Late Roman Empire” which included a new government structure and a new state religion (Christianity)

• In 284, Emperor Diocletian restores order, divides empire in two

DECLINE AND FALL OF ROME

Constantine Moves the Capital

•Constantine becomes emperor of Western Empire •Reunites E. and W. Empires in 324; moves Roman capital to Byzantium

•Byzantium renamed Constantinople

•Inflation – drop in value of money and rise in prices • Weakens trade

• Diocletian and Constantine remove personal freedoms to fight failing economy

END OF THE WESTERN EMPIREGermanic Invasions

• Mongol nomads from Asia, the Huns, invade empire

• Germanic tribes flee from Huns, enter Roman lands, sack Rome in 410

Attila the Hun

• Attila – unites the Huns in 444, plunders 70 cities in East

•Attacks Rome in 452; famine and disease prevents victory

An Empire No More

• Last Roman emperor falls to Germans in 476; end of Western Empire

• East thrives for another thousand years (Byzantine Empire)

REASONS?

Christianity’s emphasis on a spiritual kingdom weakened Roman military virtues

Traditional Roman values declined as non-Italians gained prominence in the empire

Lead poisoning through leaden water pipes and cups caused a mental decline in the population

Rome failed to advance technologically due to slavery

Rome could not create a workable political system