Transcript FOCUS 2B CLASSICAL AGE

The Decline of the Roman
Empire
1. Rome’s Economy Declines
During the Pax Romana: Roman Peace
• Trade flourished
• Gold and silver taken from conquered
territories added to Rome’s wealth
• Surplus of food with much grain coming in
from the Roman province of Egypt
Rome’s Economy Declines
That all changed in the 3rd century A.D.
1.Trade was disrupted
2. Wars were frequent and a financial drain
3. Wealthy overspent on luxury items like silk
from China
4. Gold and silver mines were depleted
5. No new sources of precious metals
Rome’s Economy Declines
In and effort to cover expenses the Roman
Government decided to
a. Raise TAXES
b. Mint coins containing less silver
This caused massive Inflation.
Rome’s Economy Declines
Food sources dwindled:
a. Western harvests meager due to
overworked soil
b. Farmland destroyed by warfare
c. High taxes forced small farmers to
give up their land
d. Cheap slave labor discouraged technological
improvements
2. Rome Faces Military
Upheaval
Military crisis contributed to economic woes
• Roman armies were constantly at war
with invaders, “barbarians”
• Use of mercenaries caused collapse in
loyalty to the empire.
3. Roman Politics
1. Incompetent Leadership
2 There was no clear rule for succession
when an emperor died. This caused
instability.
The Empire Splits
• In the late 3rd century, the
Empire’s life was prolonged
by emperors who divided it.
4. Invaders Overrun the Western
Empire
The Roman Empire had been in decline for many
years. What were the reasons for the FINAL
collapse in the year 476 AD?
a. Internal problems
b. Separation of West from East
c. Invasions
The Huns Move West
German invasions were result of the Huns
(from Asia) moving into Europe –The Huns
were already coming from the East but saw
resistance in the Eastern Empire so decided
to keep moving West
Germanic Invasions
Winter 406 – Rhine River froze allowing
barbarians to cross on ice.
410 – Alaric crosses Alps to attack Rome.
Rome recovers somewhat.
476- Odoacer sacks Rome for the final time.
SUMMARY
Economic, military, and political decay as
well as outside invaders brought down the
Western Roman empire. The Eastern half
survived for another 1000 years as the
Byzantine Empire with its capital of
Constantinople (present day Istanbul Turkey)
.