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FOCUS 2B CLASSICAL AGE - ROME

. Rome suffers an economic and military decline.As people's loyalty and service to the empire decrease, only the armies remain active in politics.. A Century of Crisis. A.D. 161-180 reign of Marcus Aurelius, last of Five Good EmperorsA.D. 180 Marcus Aurelius dies and Roman empire begins its de

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FOCUS 2B CLASSICAL AGE - ROME

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    1. FOCUS 2B CLASSICAL AGE - ROME The Decline of the Roman Empire

    2. Rome suffers an economic and military decline. As people’s loyalty and service to the empire decrease, only the armies remain active in politics.

    3. A Century of Crisis A.D. 161-180 – reign of Marcus Aurelius, last of Five Good Emperors A.D. 180 – Marcus Aurelius dies and Roman empire begins its decline Rulers that followed weakened Roman empire

    4. Rome’s Economy Declines 1. Pax Romana a. Trade flourished b. Gold and silver taken from conquered territories added to Rome’s wealth c. Surplus of food 2. Above listed resources disappeared in 3rd century A.D.

    5. Rome’s Economy Declines 3. Trade was disrupted 4. Wars were frequent and a financial drain 5. Wealthy overspent on luxury items 6. Gold and silver supplies drained 7. No new sources of precious metals

    6. Rome’s Economy Declines 8. Efforts to cover expenses a. Taxes raised b. Minted coins contained less silver 9. Inflation, severe drop in value of money plus a rise in prices, resulted

    7. Rome’s Economy Declines 10. Food sources dwindle a. Western harvests meager due to overworked soil b. Farmland destroyed by warfare c. High taxes forced small farmers to give up their land d. Cheap slave labor discouraged technological improvements

    8. Rome Faces Military Upheaval 1. Military crisis contributed to economic woes 2. Roman armies were constantly at war with invaders, “barbarians” 3. Use of mercenaries caused collapse in loyalty to the empire

    9. Roman Politics 1. Lack of loyalty was key in feelings of indifference 2. Political office no longer an honor 3. Only armies active in politics 4. See chart text page 160

    10. Diocletian institutes many reforms, creating an Eastern and Western Empire, but fails to ensure orderly succession. Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire to Byzantium, shifting the center of power east.

    11. Emperors Attempt Reform 1. Roman empire survived another 200 years. 2. Empire’s life prolonged by emperors who divided it a. Eastern b. Western

    12. Diocletian Reforms the Empire 1. A.D. 284 – Diocletian becomes emperor 2. He restored order and increased the empire’s strength 3. Diocletian governed as an absolute ruler 4. He limited personal freedoms

    13. Diocletian Reforms the Empire 5. Reforms a. Drafted prisoner of war and hired German mercenaries b. Set fixed prices for goods c. Ordered farmers and workers to remain on their farms and jobs for life d. Personally proclaimed he was a descendant of Roman gods e. Persecuted Christians

    14. Diocletian Reforms the Empire f. Divided empire 1. Greek-speaking East 2. Latin-speaking West 3. Appointed himself co-ruler of west 4. Each ruler chose an assistant who was to be their successor 6. A.D. 305 – Diocletian retires and civil war erupts

    15. Constantine Moves the Capital 1. A.D. 312 – Constantine gains control of Western empire 2. A.D. 324 – Constantine takes control of Eastern empire 3. A.D. 330 – Constantine moves capital from Rome to Byzantium (bih –ZAN- shee-uhm) a. Strategic for trade and defense b. City renamed Constantinople

    16. Internal and economic problems and invading tribes bring down the Western Roman Empire. Although Rome’s power is gone, is cultural heritage endures.

    17. Invaders Overrun the Western Empire Western Roman Empire in decline for many years Causes of final collapse a. Internal problems b. Separation of West from East c. Invasions A.D. 376-476 – Germanic invasions a. Drove out Romans b. See text page 161

    18. The Huns Move West 1. German invasions were result of the Huns moving into Europe 2. Huns were Mongol nomads from central Asia 3. Read description of the Huns text page 161

    19. Germanic Invasions 1. Winter 406 – Rhine River froze allowing warriors to cross on ice 2. 410 – Alaric (AL-ur-ihk) crosses Alps to attack Rome

    20. Attila the Hun 1. 444 – Huns unite under Attila (AT-uhl- uh) 2. Attila attacked both western and eastern halves of empire 3. A.D. 452 – Attila’s attack on Rome foiled by famine and disease a. Pope Leo I negotiates their withdrawal 4. 455 – Gaiseric saks Rome

    21. Rome’s Last Emperor 1. Roman emperor of west becomes powerless 2. Romulus Augustulus – last Roman emperor and their power in west disappears 3. Eastern half of empire becomes Byzantine 4. Byzantine empire flourishes until 1453

    22. KEY IDEAS The Roman Empire splits in two. Economic, military, and political decay and outside invaders bring down the Western Roman empire, but the eastern half survives

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