The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: A Lesson in Citizenship

Education Chapter 5 Section 5

What legacies have past civilizations left to modern society?

How did the Romans define citizenship?

What did it mean to be a citizen of Rome?

What does it mean to be a citizen of the United States?

Why did Rome ultimately fall?

Review of Roman Citizens’ Rights and Responsiblities

Citizens’ rights during/under the Republic

Citizens’ rights and responsibilities during/under the Pax Romana

Answers:•Latin males able to have full citizenship.•Roman citizens were able to run their own internal affairs. •Men in both classes could vote and were citizens, but only the patricians could be elected to government offices. •The Roman’s had an elected Senate and several people’s assemblies to represent their wishes. •Law of Nations was established so that there were standards of justice.

Answers:•Rulers treated the ruling class with respect.•Maintained peace.•The good emperors created new social programs to help the people. •Public works were built.•Taxation occurred.•Roman women gained full rights.•Women able to obtain a divorce, attend races and theaters, and influence politics.

I. The Decline A. Long period of unrest followed the death of the last good

emperor, Marcus Aurelius.B. Rome was ruled by a group of individuals that paid the

armies only and ignored the people.C. The next 22 Emperors ruled because they had control of

the Army from 235 to 284 AD.D. Simultaneously the Roman Empire suffered invasions by

Persian and Germanic people.i. Civil wars ii. Plagues

E. They almost caused the collapse of the Roman economy. i. The Roman industry and trade declined ii. Labor shortage iii. Farm production down

F. Money was short.

I. The Decline Cont.G. They used hired Germanic soldiers who had no loyalty to Rome. H. Late Rome Empire – was a revival of Rome. (Diocletian,

Constantine) i. New government ii. New economic system iii. Social system iiii. New Religion – Christianity

i. Diocletian, ruling from 284 – 305 AD, believed the empire was to large to only have one ruler, so he divided into four sections, with each its own ruler. A. His military authority gave him the ultimate power.

J. Constantine ruled from 306- 337 AD. K. Both expanded and enlarged the army. L. This drained the treasury.M. Issued strict wage control in the empire N. In 324, Constantine sets up an eastern city outside of Byzantium

called “New Rome”.

II. They Tripped and FellA. The Empire that was restored lasted another hundred

years. B. 2nd half of the fourth century the Huns from Asia moved

into eastern Europe, putting pressure on the Germanic tribes.

C. The Visigoths defeat the Roman army in 378 AD. D. Sack Rome in 410 E. Many theories on the fall of Rome.

a. Christianity weakened Rome’s military virtues.b. Roman values declined as non- Italians entered the

empire. c. Lead poisoning from the water pipes caused a metal

decline.d. Slavery held Rome back from advancing in technology.e. Rome’s political system proved unworkable.

Handout

• At this time, please follow the instructions on the handout.

Discussion

• What ultimately led to the fall of Rome? • How did its citizens respond to the civil wars

and uprisings by the Huns and Visigoths? • How are these uprisings similar to today

and relate to America’s history? • What Roman citizen characteristics do we

see in America today? • How does the Roman way of life set the

backbone to American ideals? • What are positive citizen traits found in

Rome?• Why are they important?

Sources

• http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roem/hd_roem.htm

• http://www.disinfo.com/2011/04/how-the-ancient-romans-made-msg/fallofromanempire/

• http://americaandthefalloftheromanempire.blogspot.com/

• http://rome.phillipmartin.info/rome_boy.htm

• http://www.dragonfoundation.net/indexe.htm