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THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. The fall of Rome began in the 2nd century CE when enemies to the north and east began crossing the boundaries and plundering Roman territory.

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THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

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  1. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

  2. The fall of Rome began in the 2nd century CE when enemies to the north and east began crossing the boundaries and plundering Roman territory. • The empire was so big that even the many Roman legions could not hold back that threatened several different border regions at one time.

  3. Decline & Fall of Empire There is no single reason why, but instead a combination of things: 1. Politics 2. Economics 3. Technology 4. Defense

  4. Politics: • Often argued over succession . . . Who’s next? • Caused civil wars • Imperial armies against each other • Generals try to control • Emperors assassinated • Political corruption . . . Bribery • After Trajan . . . Anyone could be Emperor • Even non-Italians! • Division (East/West)

  5. Economics: • Expensive to run such a massive empire • Costs increase, never enough tax money coming in • Taxes continue to go up • Empire tries controlling businesses, less efficient • Inflation as prices go up • Guilds = “middle man” • Poverty = less people can afford to buy = less trade • Less trade = less taxes • So much land, can’t control pirating, both on land and on seas.

  6. Technology: • Rome’s technology doesn’t advance much • WHY? • Slaves do most of the hard work anyway; no need to invent • Education focused on public speaking & memorizing • Doesn’t encourage Creativity.

  7. Defense: • Huge Frontier/boarder to defend . . . Virtually impossible • Fewer citizens willing to volunteer to army • Before, only wealthy could be in . . . Had something to fight for • Now, mercenaries, paid soldiers . . . Worth fighting for a few buck$ • Lower quality of army standards • As citizenship expanded . . . No longer just Romans in army • Thus mixed allegiances • Rome and power divided east/West

  8. Attachs from all sides and directions Barbarians Roman Empire Help!

  9. By 300 CE many areas like Gaul and Britain were revolting • Diocletian decided to make co-emperors. Himself (to rule the eastern provinces from the city of Nicomedia in Asia Minor) and Maximian to rule the western half from the city of milan in Italy.

  10. Rome no longer either the capital of the empire or the centre of power. The roman senate no more than a city council. • Constant attacks from Barbarians (Germanic tribes from the west and Huns from the east) eroded away at the power base of the empire until the Germanic peoples finally conquered Rome (Rome has “fallen”) in 476 CE

  11. Assignment • Read pages 217-8 and in paragraph form, answer the following questions: Which factor do you think played the most significant role in the Roman empire’s decline? Why?

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