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The Fall of Rome. And the rise of the Byzantine Empire. A little bit about Rome…. Monarchy then Republic then Empire King, represented by people, then Empire In the Mediterranean, Rome was in charge There are many reasons Rome fell not just one specific reason. Problems in Rome….
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The Fall of Rome And the rise of the Byzantine Empire
A little bit about Rome… • Monarchy then Republicthen Empire • King, represented by people, then Empire • In the Mediterranean, Rome was in charge • There are many reasons Rome fell not just one specific reason
Problems in Rome… • The empire was way to large to govern effectively. Why is this a problem?
Problems in Rome… • An empire needs a strong army in order to help them maintain power. • The army over time was not what it used to be • There was corruption in military such as • Dishonest generals- kept fighting among themselves as to who should be the next Emperor • Non-Roman soldiers (Why is this a problem?) • Once foreign tribes were able to break through it was easy to keep going through the empire. • The Huns Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Saxons and other barbarian tribes overran the empire
Problems in Rome… • Emperors • Often selected by violence (killed the other one) or by birth which meant the head of government was not always capable of being a good leader • Emperors were greedy (taxes!) • In 72 years there were 23 Emperors and 20 of them were murdered.
Problems in Rome… • The rich became lazy and showed little interest in trying to solve the problems in Rome • Prices increased and trade decreased • The population was shrinking because of starvation and disease. This makes it difficult to manage farms and government effectively • Civil wards broke out between different political groups
Problems in Rome… • The increased use of slaves put many Romans out of work • The poor were overtaxed and overworked which made them very unhappy. • Poor people become driven to commit crimes to survive • Many Roman citizens begin to rebel against their leaders
So now what do we do? • Split the Roman Empire in half of course! • Why? • Hope that it makes the empire easier to manage • Each side had an emperor HOWEVER the emperor in charge was the emperor of the western half, the half that included the city of Rome
Western Roman Empire.. • Does not do very well • Instead of getting stronger it gets weaker • Western Roman Empire ends around 400 AD • The Huns, Franks, & Visigoths bring Rome down • They all attack different places of the Empire • In 476 AD the Visigoths sack Rome • Europe enters the Dark Ages
Eastern Roman Empire • Receives a new name: • THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE • The Byzantine Empire does just fine • Lasts for another 1000 years! • Rich tradition of art, literature, and learning • The Middle Ages arrive
The Byzantine Empire… What we will be studying!!!