The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Teacher Overvie w THERE IS a popular saying: “Rome was not built in a day.” The opposite is also true: “Rome did not fall in a day.” The fall of Rome came about because of many different circumstances. A failing economy, barbarian invasions, a military stretched too thin, and severe corruption were all contributing factors. This unit will cover the invasion of three different barbarian tribes: the Ostrogoths (East Goths), the Visigoths (West Goths), and the Vandals. Europe in 476, from Muir’s Historical Atlas (1911) Reading and Assignments Based on your student’s age and ability, the reading in this unit may be read aloud to the student and journaling and notebook pages may be completed orally. Likewise, other assignments can be done with an appropriate combination of independent and guided study. In this unit, students will: Complete three lessons in which they will learn about the Barbarian invasions and the rise of the Franks. Define vocabulary words. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Medieval to Renaissance: Elementary Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Page 24 Leading Ideas An individual’s character will be reflected in his leadership. For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) There is power in the spoken word to do evil or to do good. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. — Matthew 12:34 Vocabulary Key People, Places, and Lesson 1: Events barbarian empire Attila the Hun pagan Arius Clovis Lesson 2: Clotilde none Pope Leo Theodoric Lesson 3: Odoacer none Vandals Ostrogoths The Sack of Rome by the Vandals, by Heinrich Leutemann Medieval to Renaissance: Elementary Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Page 25 L e s s o n O n e History Overview and Assignments The Barbarian Invasion AFTER THE ROMAN Empire was split, its armies could no longer meet the challenges they faced from numerous invading people groups, who each wanted some of Rome’s wealth and territory. Huns in Battle With the Alans, 1870s engraving after a drawing by Johann Nepomuk Geiger Reading and Assignments Read the article: The Barbarians Invade the Roman Empire. Define each vocabulary word in the context of the reading and put the word and its definition in the vocabulary section of your notebook. After reading the article, summarize the story you read by either: ▪ Retelling it out loud to your teacher or parent. OR ▪ Completing an appropriate notebook page. Either way, be sure to include the answers to the discussion questions and an overview of key people, places, dates, and events in your summary. Be sure to visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Medieval to Renaissance: Elementary Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Page 26 Vocabulary Discussion Questions barbarian 1. Who were the first barbarians to come empire to Rome? pagan 2. What was their leader’s name? Key People, Places, and 3. Attila was the leader of which barbarian group? Events 4. What role did Pope Leo I play in saving Attila the Hun the people from Attila and his tribe? The Meeting Between Leo the Great and Attila (painted as a portrait of Leo X), by Raphael Adapted for Elementary School from the book: The Story of Europe by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall The Barbarians Invade the Roman Empire Many centuries ago, Rome was the Rome. No other city was as important, and greatest power on earth. Its leaders ruled the Romans thought they were better than over many people groups, and its land everyone else. They were great inventors reached far to the north, south, east, and and created superb artwork. They were west. The Mediterranean Sea, rich with highly educated and knew much about the commerce, was also a part of the empire. world. There had never been a stronger kingdom. In 330 A.D., the Emperor of Rome was The main city in this kingdom was Constantine the Great. He was a Christian Medieval to Renaissance: Elementary Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Page 27 emperor. He wanted to build a new city that Alaric’s March was as wonderful as Rome. He named it The King of the Goths was a young man New Rome. The people did not like that named Alaric. He attacked the Roman name. They called it Constantinople Empire many times. He fought in Rome instead. It was not as special as Rome, but it three times. He stole most of the valuable was important. Constantinople kept the things in the city. He was greedy for more Christian culture of Rome safe from other after his victory, and he marched his Goths people who were not Christians. south to Africa. People who lived outside of the Roman On the way to Africa, many of the Goths Empire were called barbarians. Unlike the got sick. Most of them died. The Goths soon Romans, they were skilled neither in the had a new king named Ataulphus. He took arts of war nor of peace. They were cruel and the men back to Europe. They found a new fought with other tribes. But no one thought place to live in France and Spain. they could conquer Rome. Many other barbarians charged into However, the leaders in Rome were Rome. Places that were far away from the unfair during these years. They made the capital areas were attacked. These places people of Rome pay them a lot of money in did not have soldiers to protect them, so it taxes. The leaders wanted to be rich and did was easy for the barbarians to take over. not care about the people. They cared only They settled in the captured lands. about money. The people were angry and Soon a new barbarian tribe would come sad, and many of them couldn’t survive with to Rome which was much fiercer than the the leaders taking so much of their money. other tribes. This tribe was called the Huns. Treating the people in this way soon made the Roman Empire weaker. Later, there was a new Roman emperor. His name was Theodosius. He died around the year 390 A.D. His two sons were just boys when he died, but they had to rule over the land. The empire was split in two. The older brother kept Constantinople, which was the capital of the Eastern Empire. The younger brother became the ruler of the Western Empire. Rome was its capital. The barbarians soon began to fight with the Romans. The first barbarians to come to Rome were called Goths. The Goths were very dangerous. They first came to Rome to find a safe place to stay. But soon they wanted to control Rome. They began to battle the Romans. Alaric entering Athens Medieval to Renaissance: Elementary Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Page 28 Attila and the Huns Unable to keep fighting, Attila went back The Huns were a group of warriors from to his homeland, where he worked to gather Asia. They were short but strong men, and a new army. The next year, he marched back they were expert horse riders. The Huns to Rome. On his way he destroyed many were wild and mean. They loved war. cities once again. He wanted to do the same Their king was named Attila. He was a to the city of Rome. powerful man. Many people were afraid of The Huns were stopped when Pope Leo him. He was the most terrible Hun. He I met them on the Mincio River north of loved to fight and destroy. He said, “I am the Rome. On one side of the river the Pope curse of God, the hammer of the world!” He stood. He was a godly and educated man. was proud of his cruelty. On the other side was Attila. He was cruel The Huns marched through the land and and godless. conquered everyone they met. They set Leo had no weapons when he met Attila. towns on fire. All of the people were But his words were powerful. He asked terrified. The Goths and the Romans Attila to leave. He warned him of what could decided to join together to fight the Huns. happen. The gold he brought along surely Other barbarian tribes joined in, too. helped, too. Attila decided to leave. He did A great battle took place. The Romans not attack Rome. Leo won the battle! and the barbarian tribes fought against the Nobody is sure why Attila left. The Huns Huns. It was a long fight. In the end the were sick and did not have much food. Huns were defeated. This fight was called Maybe this was why Attila took the gold and the Battle of the Nations. It was the first went home. One thing was clear. Pope Leo time all the tribes had worked together to played a large part in sending Attila away. win a war. Attila probably hoped for another It became clear that Europe was going to chance to destroy Rome, but it did not have a Christian heritage. Europe would not happen. Attila died the next year, and with be pagan like the Huns. his death, the Huns disappeared. Invasion of the Barbarians, by Ulpiano Checa Medieval to Renaissance: Elementary Unit 2: The Fall of Rome Page 29 L e s s o n T w o History Overview and Assignments The Rise of the Franks ONE OF THE invading tribes was called the Franks. They successfully invaded Rome, where their leader Clovis, influenced by his wife Clotilde, declared himself a Christian.