E. Napp

The Fall of the Roman Empire

In this lesson, students will identify factors which led to the fall of the Roman Empire.

Students will be able to identify and/or define the following terms:

Emperor Diocletian

Emperor Constantine

Barbarian Invaders

E. Napp

The Romans had conquered a vast empire.

E. Napp

Emperor Diocletian

• In 284 A.D., the Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman empire into two parts: an eastern section and a western section.

• Diocletian felt the Roman Empire was too big for one person to effectively govern.

• Ruling such a vast empire was difficult.

E. Napp

Emperor Diocletiandivided the Roman

empire into twoparts.

E. Napp

Emperor Constantine

• In 306 A.D., the emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium in Asia Minor.

• Constantine renamed his new capital Constantinople.

• Constantinople had a good location for trade.

E. Napp

Emperor Constantine moved the capitalof the Roman Empire from Rome to

Constantinople.

E. Napp

Can you find Constantinople on this map?

E. Napp

Barbarians

• For hundreds of years, Germanic tribes invaded the Roman Empire.

• The Romans called these Germanic tribesmen Barbarians.

• The term “Barbarian” was ethnocentric and insulting.

E. Napp

The Roman army even built a walltrying to prevent the Barbarians from

invading.

E. Napp

The Huns and The Barbarians• When the Huns (a central Asian tribe)

attacked the Germanic tribes, the Germanic tribes were pushed into the Roman Empire.

• At first, the Romans let the Visigoths (a Barbarian tribe) move within their empire.

• However, the Visigoths had to promise not to bring their weapons.

E. Napp

However, theVisigoths didnot keep their

promise.

E. Napp

The Battle of Adrianople

• In 378 A.D. at the Battle of Adrianople, the Roman army was defeated by the Visigoths.

• It was the first time, Rome could not defend itself.

• In 476 A.D., the western Roman empire fell.

E. Napp

Barbarian invaders, corrupt emperors, and high taxes were just some of the

reasons for the fall of Rome.

E. Napp

Questions for Reflection:

• Who was Diocletian and what did he do to the Roman Empire?

• Where did Constantine move the capital and why did he move the capital?

• Define Barbarians.

• Why is the Battle of Adrianople important?

• List three factors for the fall of Rome.

• When did Rome fall?