FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE

1. FALL OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE P. 3O-35

2. Problems in the Empire • Germanic warriors (barbarians) on northern borders • Persian warriors in the east • German communities (invited by emperor to farm) ignored emperor • Disease • Government increased taxes

3. Division of Empire • Diocletian divided empire & ruled Eastern half • Constantine reunited. Moved capital to Constantinople

4. Early Barbarian Invasions • Huns from central Asia invaded southeast Europe, including Goths. • Goths fled into Roman empire • Romans paid Goths not to fight, but when Romans stopped paying, Goths sacked Rome.

5. Empire in Chaos • Vandals invaded Spain & Africa, bringing much destruction • Angles, Saxons, & Jutes invaded Britain • Franks invaded Gaul (king Clovis most powerful German king) • Huns led by Attila raided east (Constantinople, Greece, Gaul, N. Italy)

6. End of Western Roman Empire • 400s emperors weak • 476 barbarian general overthrow last emperor, naming himself king of Italy

7. Other Factors in Rome’s Fall • Too big – communication difficult • Political corruption (leaders use threats & bribes & don’t look out for the people) • Wealthy left city further weakening empire • Private landowners created own army (to protect their land) which was used to take power from emperors • Rome’s population decreased • Schools closed • Taxes and prices rose (leaving many poor)

8. Fall of the Western Roman empire (p. 30-33) 1) What were major problems in the empire? (5) 2) Who divided the empire? 3) Who reunited it? Where was the new capital 4) How did the Huns impact the Goths and therefore Romans? 5)How did the Romans deal with the Goths) 6) Who were the barbarians & where did they come from?( 7) 7) What marked an end to the empire? 8) What were other factors of the fall? (7)