The Fall of the Roman

Empire

Factors of the Decline

1. Weakened economy

a. Reached the limits of expansion

b. Lacked resources of gold and silver

c. Hostile tribes outside the boundaries of the empire and pirates disrupted trade

d. Agriculture became less profitable (overworked soil)

Factors of the Decline

Military and Political Turmoil

1. By third century A.D., Roman soldiers in general had become less disciplined and loyal

2. Patriotism waned as mercenaries were hired

Factors of the Decline

Diocletian

1. Absolute ruler (claimed sacred ancestry)

2. Divides the Roman empire into two halves (Latin and Greek languages)

3. Trivia: Which half spoke which language?

Factors of the Decline

Constantine

Constantine takes control of the western half of the empire in 312 A.D.

By 324 A.D., Constantine also secures control of the East, restoring the concept of a single ruler

Constantine

In 330 A.D., Constantine moves the capital from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium

Becomes ‘Constantinople’ Trivia: What is the current name of the

former Constantinople?

A Mosque in Constantinople?