The Decline of Rome: Factors Leading to the Fall

1. Chapter 2: the fall of rome Mr. Hernandez Social Studies Seventh Grade

2. The Fall of the Western roman empire • PROBLEMS THREATEN THE EMPIRE • Problems in the Empire • Border Threats • Germanic tribes attacked in the North • Persians armies invaded in the East • Internal Problems • Food Shortages • Disease within the Empire • Increase in taxes

3. The Fall of the Western roman empire • PROBLEMS THREATEN THE EMPIRE • Division of the Empire • Diocletian DI-vided the empire and appointed a co-emperor (Maximian) • Too large for one person to rule • Constantine reunites the empire under his rule • Moves the capital from Rome to the new city of Constantinople (Turkey) • “The City of Constantine” • Not Constantinople

4. The Fall of the Western roman empire • THE BARBARIANS INVADE ROME • Early Invasions • Germanic Tribes from the north • The Huns pushed from the southeastern Europe • Fierce and brutal raiders that ravaged the countryside • Huns defeat and push Goths into Roman territory • Goths cannot defeat Huns, Roman armies fall to Goths

5. The Fall of the Western roman empire • Barbarians Invade Rome • The Sack of Rome • Romans fought hard to keep their enemies at bay • They also paid them to stay away • Romans stopped paying the Goths which angered them • Goths destroyed Rome • Romans began to live in fear • The Empire in Chaos • Goths give a blueprint • Vandals, Angles, Saxons, Jutes invade Britain • Franks invade Gaul

6. The Fall of the Western roman empire • The Empire in Chaos • Clovis held territory in Gaul • Attila wreaked havoc in the east • Brutal and brilliant • Germ-o-phobe • Never went to Rome • The End of the Western Empire • Weak emperors • Military infighting • Borders vulnerable to attack • Barbarian King - Odoacer

7. The Fall of the Western roman empire • FACTORS IN ROME’S FALL • Large scale of the empire made communication difficult • Corruption became common • Government was no longer efficient • Rich citizens left Rome for country estates • Taxes and prices rose

8. QW #3: Yeah but…’Murica. • As mighty as Rome was, we know that it eventually fell. Romans never even fathomed such a thing would ever happen! Yet, their government, their safety, and their way of life eventually changed forever. There were many reasons for this monumental collapse, which we will discuss these today. The United States is a government and a nation that is very similar to the Roman Empire. It boasts technology, military strength, wealth, and a thriving government. • Question: Do you think the US is vulnerable to the same type of collapse as the great Roman Empire? Explain your answer in three or more sentences.

9. Chapter 2: The Fall of Rome THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE Mr. Hernandez

10. Emperors rule from constantinople • The Eastern Empire: Constantinople was built upon the site of the ancient Greek city of Byzantium • Near the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean Sea • Provided ideal location for the control of trade among the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa • The defensive position gave the city protection from attack

11. Emperors Rule from Constantinople • Justinian • Desperately wanted to reunite the Roman Empire • Hated that the empire no longer included Rome • Under his rule, the eastern empire retook Italy and much of the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea • Justinian Code • Removed all out-of-date or unchristian laws • Simplified the laws into this code that guaranteed fair treatment for all • Made many enemies that compelled him to leave the city

12. Emperors Rule from Constantinople • Theodora • Justinian was married to Theodora • Stopped Justinian from fleeing the city • Smart and powerful • Strength behind the emperor • The Empire after Justinian • After his death, the eastern empire lost much of the land Justinian had gained • Eventually fell to the Ottoman Turks

13. A new Society • Shift in Societal Norms • After Justinian, non-Roman influences took hold • People began to speak Greek • Studied the Greek masters • Although they still though of themselves as “Romans,” the society that developed after the eastern empire fell was called the Byzantine Empire by historians • A Trading Center – Outside Influences • Society began to reflect outside influences of visiting traders

14. A New society • Western Roman Empire • Popes and bishops led the church and the emperor ruled the government • Latin was the main language spoken • Church service was in Latin: understood by leaders • Priests could not marry • Eastern Byzantine Empire • Emperors led the church and the government • Greek was the main language spoken • Services were in Greek the language of the people • Priests could marry

15. A New society • Byzantine Christianity • Considered themselves Christians • Great works of art devoted to religion • Mosaics • Hagia Sophia

16. Hagia Sophia

17. Quick Write #5: the beast in the east • Think about the story of Justinian and Theodora. Do you feel that Justinian was a strong ruler? Explain your answer.