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The Long Decline 5.5

The Long Decline 5.5. Objectives. Explain how and why the Roman empire divided. Describe how waves of invaders contributed to the decline of the Roman empire. Identify the various types of problems that led to the fall of Rome. . Pax Romana. Period of Peace in the Roman Empire

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The Long Decline 5.5

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  1. The Long Decline5.5

  2. Objectives • Explain how and why the Roman empire divided. • Describe how waves of invaders contributed to the decline of the Roman empire. • Identify the various types of problems that led to the fall of Rome.

  3. PaxRomana • Period of Peace in the Roman Empire • 27 B.C. to 180 AD (after the civil wars) • Cultural achievements (Hadrian’s Wall, Roads etc..) • Strong, professional army on the boarders prevented massive conflict • More importantly, Rome was united under one ruler.

  4. Overview • The end of the “good times” • Massive Inflation • From 235-285 there were 26 emperors (only 1 died of natural causes). • Mercenaries and loss of pride/service coupled with border issues. • Diocletian divides empire into East/West

  5. The Roman Empire Divides

  6. Diocletian Shares Power • 284 A.D. , Diocletian divided the empire into two parts • He ruled the wealthy East • Maximian ruled the West • Looked to slow inflation • Fixed prices

  7. Constantine • 312 -337 A.D. • Declared a new Capital • Byzantium • -He later renamed it Constantinople • -Became new economic and social center of the empire.

  8. Invaders Threaten the Roman Empire • As the Huns invaded eastern Europe, Germanic tribes fled toward Rome for safety • Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and other Germanic tribes

  9. The Huns • Arrived in Europe around 370 AD • Attila comes on the scene in 434 • Attacked Rome when they did not pay all of their tribute (“Scourge of God”) • By 453 Attila had died but damage done

  10. Rome is Sacked “The End” • The Vandals • Sacked Rome in 455 leaving it in shambles • By mid 5th Century German Chiefs not Roman Emperors held all real power • 476 AD Odoacer became the first Germanic King of Italy (Romulus Augustus last Emperor in West) • Only half of empire left.

  11. Causes for Rome’s fall Weakened army • Barbarization (changes perception of people) • Legions to the borders/civil war • Oppressive government • Gap between rich and poor • Corrupt/inept emperors • Christianity’s message contradicts “Roman Ideals”

  12. Political Causes • Government lost support of the people • Throne was constantly changing • Empire was divided (East/West)

  13. Economic Weakness • Relied on slave labor • Heavy taxes • Shrinking middle class

  14. Internal - Social Decay • Decline in traditional values (patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty) • Examples?

  15. Grouping the Causes • External: -Military attacks - Splitting the Empire -Huns/Barbarians -Disease reaching the empire (?) -Growing weakness of the military (mercenaries v. citizen soldiers) • Internal: -Political Turmoil -Economic Weakness -Social Decay

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