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The Fall of the Roman Empire. The end of the “good times” Death of Marcus Aurelius ends the Pax Romana (c. 180 AD) Order restored briefly, but from 235-285 there were 26 emperors (only 1 died of natural causes) Constant revolts Bad leadership “ Bread and Circuses ”. A Brief Pause.
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The Fall of the Roman Empire • The end of the “good times” • Death of Marcus Aurelius ends the Pax Romana (c. 180 AD) • Order restored briefly, but from 235-285 there were 26 emperors (only 1 died of natural causes) • Constant revolts • Bad leadership • “Bread and Circuses”
A Brief Pause • Diocletian (284-305) • Divided the Empire into 4 parts (Tetrarchy) • Why? • Constantine (305-337) • Seized property, high taxes • Built Constantinople (trade) • Legalized Christianity 313 AD (Edict of Milan) • Out of control inflation
Internal causes for Rome’s fall • Smaller pop (Less soldiers, taxes etc) • Weakened army • Barbarization, more troops for border defense, Civil War • Oppressive government • High taxes etc… • Declining farms and cities • Stagnant economy • Lack of spoils, infrastructure broke down, competition from East, slaves
More Internal Causes • Loss of confidence • Was Rome still worth defending? • Christianity (Enfeebling?) • St. Augustine (The City of God) • Constantine The Edict of Milan • Theodosius 380 official religion of the Roman Empire
External causes • Barbarians on the frontier • What is a barbarian? • Why did they want in? • The Goths (1st appear in 258) • The effect of the Huns • 376 Goths settled and agree to help defend Eastern border
The Huns • Arrived in Europe around 370 AD • Eventually took tribute from Rome in return for peace • Attila comes on the scene in 434 • Attacked Rome when they did not pay all of their tribute (called the “Scourge of God”) • By 444 he unites the Huns • By 453 Attila had died (nosebleed)
The Fall of the Roman Empire in the West • The Vandals • Sacked Rome in 455 • By mid 5th Century German Chiefs not Roman Emperors held all real power • 476 AD Odoacer became the first Germanic King of Italy (replaced Romulus Augustulus the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire)