fall of rome notes #5
TRANSCRIPT
##The Fall of the Western The Fall of the Western
Roman EmpireRoman Empire
Textbook pages 172-177Textbook pages 172-177
Problems in the Empire…Problems in the Empire… InflationInflation = a rise in prices caused = a rise in prices caused
by a decrease in the value of money.by a decrease in the value of money. Farmers went to the city to look for Farmers went to the city to look for
work.work. Some people went back to bartering.Some people went back to bartering. Attacks on the borders by Germanic Attacks on the borders by Germanic
Tribes. Empire too large and Tribes. Empire too large and resources stretched to thin.resources stretched to thin.
The Empire Splits…The Empire Splits… Diocletian – Roman Emperor.Diocletian – Roman Emperor. He split the empire into two. Each had an He split the empire into two. Each had an
emperor. Diocletian was the East.emperor. Diocletian was the East. Very strict government. Controlled all Very strict government. Controlled all
peoples’ lives. For a period the Barbarians peoples’ lives. For a period the Barbarians were being successfully driven out of the were being successfully driven out of the Empire.Empire.
305AD Diocletian retires.305AD Diocletian retires. Constantine took over in 306AD. But the Constantine took over in 306AD. But the
other Emperor didn’t recognize him. Civil other Emperor didn’t recognize him. Civil War broke out. Constantine won and War broke out. Constantine won and became the Emperor.became the Emperor.
Constantine creates the new capital Constantine creates the new capital Constantinople. (Old name = Byzantium)Constantinople. (Old name = Byzantium)
The Western Empire grows weaker…the The Western Empire grows weaker…the Eastern Empire becomes the center of Eastern Empire becomes the center of power and wealth.power and wealth.
Goths, Vandals, and the Huns (led by the Goths, Vandals, and the Huns (led by the fierce Attila) launched attacks on the fierce Attila) launched attacks on the Roman Empire.Roman Empire.
Germanic tribes were still a threat. Germanic tribes were still a threat. They began to invade heavily in They began to invade heavily in the late 300s+AD.the late 300s+AD. When the tribes came into the Empire When the tribes came into the Empire
they each set up separate kingdoms.they each set up separate kingdoms. Learning declined, and libraries were Learning declined, and libraries were
burned.burned. Farms and crops were destroyed by war.Farms and crops were destroyed by war.
Causes of the Decline in the Causes of the Decline in the WestWest
MilitaryMilitaryGermanic Germanic InvasionsInvasionsHigh cost of High cost of DefenseDefenseGermanic Germanic Troops in Troops in armyarmyLoss of Loss of soldiers soldiers loyalty to loyalty to RomeRomeMilitary Military indifference in indifference in gov’tgov’t
Economic Economic High TaxesHigh TaxesHigh High inflationinflationLoss of war Loss of war lootlootDecline of Decline of manufacturinmanufacturing and g and agricultureagricultureFarmers Farmers move to citymove to city
Social Social Growing Growing division division between between rich and rich and poorpoorLoss of Loss of values and values and patriotismpatriotism
PoliticalPoliticalDivision of Division of empire W/Eempire W/EGrowing Growing power of power of Eastern Eastern EmpireEmpireCorruption Corruption and and unstable unstable leadershipleadershipOppressive Oppressive public public serviceservice
Roman Legacy and Roman Legacy and ContributionsContributions Architecture: Pantheon, Coliseum, ForumArchitecture: Pantheon, Coliseum, Forum
Technology: Roads, Aqueducts, archesTechnology: Roads, Aqueducts, arches Science: PtolemyScience: Ptolemy Medicine: public healthMedicine: public health Language: Latin Language: Latin Romance Languages Romance Languages Literature: Virgil’s Literature: Virgil’s AeneidAeneid (Justifies (Justifies
Expansion)Expansion) Religion: Mythology and ChristianityReligion: Mythology and Christianity Law: The principle of “innocent until Law: The principle of “innocent until
proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables)proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables) Roman letters and numbersRoman letters and numbers Julius Caesar’s calendarJulius Caesar’s calendar
Mt. Mt. VesuviusVesuvius ColisseumColisseum
Pantheon
FORUM
Trevi Fountain
Trajan’s Column
St. Peter’s Cathedral
Vatican