Brain Pop Video The Fall of Rome Roman Empire CAUSES FOR THE DECLINE OF THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE Economy Military Problems Political Issues Social Problems -Invaders and Pirates disrupt trade and make it more expensive to defend the empire.
-Government started coining more money with less silver. This led to more Inflation which is the drop in value of money but prices of goods rise.
-There were food shortages which led to a population decline. The soil is overworked and farmers cannot produce as much. -Defense problems due to frequent attacks by “Barbarians” or non- Romans.
-Indifference (don’t care, lazy, soft) of citizens and military due to the collapse of discipline and loyalty. Increased use of mercenaries. Rome hired mercenaries or recruit Barbarians who were professionals paid to fight. These mercenaries were not loyal to Rome. They were only loyal to money.
-Loss of Loyalty. Roman soldiers started to show more loyalty to their commanders because they were promised wealth for their service. -Frequent Civil conflict erupted in the Empire because many military leaders were fighting to be emperor. As a result, lots of civil wars were fought over a 50 year period for the right to rule
-Fewer people wanted to hold political office so there was a series of weak and ineffective rulers. ● The Empire was too big to manage ● Politics was no longer a desired occupation ○ too expensive, public entertainment was paid out of pocket ● Politicians no longer had any influence since emperors were claiming supreme power Moral Decay- loss of faith in Rome and the family.
People start to lose faith and love for Rome because of how bad everything is ● barbarians ● invasions ● bad economy
The Empire seems less capable of taking care of its people
As a result of that loss of love and faith, loyalty and patriotism decline in the Empire Group Activity What do you think is the biggest reason for the fall of the Roman Empire? DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE AND LAST LEGS OF WESTERN ROME -Diocletian’s Reforms
-Constantine’s Changes
-Finality of the Western Empire -Diocletian becomes emperor in 284 A.D. -He will govern as an absolute ruler and limit personal freedoms. Reforms under Diocletian Restored order to the Empire and increased strength. Doubled the size of the Roman Army Set prices for goods and services to control inflation Restored prestige to the throne. Diocletian will divide the empire because it was too large for one ruler to manage How was the Roman Empire Divided
Divides the Empire into two parts-
Greek speaking East- Greece, Anatolia, Syria and Egypt
Latin Speaking West- Italy, Gaul, Britain, and Spain
Diocletian takes the East and General Maximian takes the west.
TPS: Why would Diocletian take the East? What are the Romance Languages? Latin- the stem for all the Romance Languages used today. Example: Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Romanian, etc…
Constantine will become ruler over both halves of the Empire in 324 AD.
-Reunited Rome and ruled over the entire empire. -Moved the Capital from Rome to Byzantium and renamed it Constantinople. -Passed the Edict of Milan in 313 AD that allowed religious tolerance throughout the empire -Converted to Christianity on his deathbed- provided unity of the Empire. Theodosius 379 AD
-Made Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire.
-Theodosius is the last emperor to rule over the Eastern and Western Hemisphere. He will permanently divide the Empire in 395 AD.
The End of the Empire… Invaders 476 AD
Huns, Burgundians, Visigoths, Vandals, Franks What problems was the Empire experiencing? Western Rome experienced military and financial problems.
Video- Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. More about Invasions Who was Attila the Hun? Attila and other Barbarian groups invade Rome and rule as “Kings.”
The Huns were moving West from Asia, pushing the Germanic tribes (Barbarians) into Rome. This is partly why Barbarians were invading Rome.
Attila the Hun unites the Huns and attacks the Empire on both sides and is able to take almost all of Rome’s lands What happens to the last Emperor of Rome? The Emperor in the west is exiled and the West is destroyed.
In 476, the 14 year old emperor of the West Empire will be deposed by a barbarian named Odoacer. No one tries to rule the West after that.
This marks the end of the West Which half falls? Which half prevails (continues)? -The West fails 476 AD -The East prevails -The West is unstable while the East is rich and flourishes