Transcript Fall of Rome

The Empire Crumbles
What do you
remember
about the
Roman
Empire?
THINK ABOUT
6th
GRADE!!!!!!!!!!
1. Weak and Corrupt Rulers
a. Stole money from treasury
b. Successful generals not politicians
c. Gained throne by violence
(assassination)
HOW MANY ROMAN
EMPERORS DO YOU
THINK WERE
ASSASSINATED?!?!
43
2. Empire too Big
a. difficult defending
b. Army spent too much
time defending, not
enough time
governing
c. Gaps in borders left
room for invaders
d. Conquered territories
fought and gained
independence
3. Economic Problems
a. raised taxes
b. Severe unemployment
c. Inflation- An economic situation in which
money circulates, but the money has
less value (273)
4. Mercenary Army
a. Foreign soldiers who fought for pay
b. Not loyal to Rome
c. Motivated by money
d. Switched sides for personal gain
WHICH SIDE
ARE THEY
ON???
Diocletian
• Assassinated up to 3 emperors to reach
the throne
• Created the “Tetrarchy” or Rule of Four
– What do you think that means?
– 2 Augustus Rulers- one in East, one in West
with 2 Caesars appointed and ruling with
them, the Caesars would be successors
– Was meant to improve government each
Augustus would appoint their successor
(Caesar) based on merit not relation
Atlantic
Ocean
EUROPE
Mediterranean Sea
AFRICA
Constantine (312-337)
Watch the video: What details did you learn about Constantine?
• Ruled the Roman Empire in the
west
• Declared freedom of religion
• No longer persecuted
Christians
• Christianity became official
religion of Rome
• Founder of Constantinople,
moved center of Roman Empire
to the EAST (Byzantine)
The Byzantine Empire
Eastern Rome Carries On
Western
Roman
Empire
Eastern
Roman
Empire