The Decline and Fall of Rome

1. The Decline and Fall of Rome

2. The Decline • AD 180-Marcus Aurelius, last of the 5 good emperors, dies • Period of conflict, confusion, and civil wars follow • Problems and Upheavals • Political upheavals and civil wars • After a series of civil wars, a military govt. under the Severan rulers restored order until 235 A.D. • “Pay the soldiers, and ignore everyone else.” • 235-284 A.D.: Roman throne occupied by whoever had military strength to seize it • 22 emperors during this period, all who died violently • Empire also troubled by series of invasions • In east: Sassanid Persians attacked Roman territory • Germanic tribes poured into Balkans, Gaul, and Spain • Plague: epidemic disease • Caused labor shortage that affected military recruiting and economy • Decline in trade, industry, farm production • By mid-third century, state had to hire Germans to fight • Had no loyalty to empire or emperors

3. Attempts At Reform • At end of third and beginning of fourth centuries, Roman Empire gained new lease on life through efforts of two emperors: Diocletian and Constantine • Empire changed into new state-The Late Roman Empire • Included new government structure, rigid economic and social system, new state religion-Christianity

4. Diocletian • Ruled from 284-305 A.D. • Believed empire had grown too large for single ruler • Divided Rome into 4 units, each with its own ruler • Diocletian’s military power allowed him to hold ultimate authority

5. Constantine • Ruled from 306-337 • Continued and expanded the policies of Diocletian • Biggest project was construction of new capital city in east, on site of Greek city Byzantium. • Eventually renamed Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) • Developed for defensive reasons • Strategic location provided protection of the eastern frontier

6. Problems with Diocletian and Constantine’s Reforms • Political and military reforms enlarged 2 institutions-the army and the civil service-which drained public funds • Population not growing so taxes could not pay for everything • Roman money began losing value • Caused inflation: rapid increase in prices • Overall, economic and social policies of Diocletian and Constantine were based on control and coercion • Had temporary success but failed in the long run

7. The Fall • Restored empire of Diocletian and Constantine managed to survive for more than a century • Empire continued to be divided into western and eastern parts • Capital of Western Roman Empire remained in Rome • Capital of Eastern Roman Empire was Constantinople • The Western Roman Empire came under increasing pressure from migrating Germanic tribes

8. Germanic Tribes • Major breakthrough of Germanic tribes into the west came in the second half of the fourth century • The Huns, who came from Asia, moved into eastern Europe and put pressure on Germanic Visigoths • Visigoths moved south and west to avoid the Huns, crossing the Danube River into Roman territory, and settling down as Roman allies, until they revolted. • Romans attempted to stop revolt in 378, but were defeated by the Visigoths. • Increasing numbers of Germans now crossed frontiers • 410: Visigoths sacked Rome • Another group, the Vandals, poured into southern Spain and Africa • Crossed into Italy from northern Africa and in 455 also sacked Rome • Words vandal and vandalize come from this ruthless tribe • 476: western emperor Romulus Augustulus is deposed by Germanic head of army, this marks fall of Western Roman Empire • A series of German kingdoms replace the Western Roman Empire • The Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, continued to thrive with its center at Constantinople