Transcript The Fall of Rome

The Fall of Rome
The Fall of Rome
For centuries after the rule of its first
emperor, begun in 27 B.C., the Roman
Empire was the most powerful state in the
ancient world. Rome continued to expand to
include 3 continents: Asia, Europe, and
Africa.
Roman Empire Expansion
Many factors cause the
decline of Rome
By the second century, the Roman Empire seemed
indestructible. Yet, by the end of the fifth century
it had collapsed. Rome did not fall instantly.
Instead the empire went through a long
slow decline. Many conditions caused the fall of
Rome including internal (inside) and external
(outside) forces.
The Fall of Rome
Internal Forces
External Forces
3 Main Categories:
- Political
- Economic
- Social
- Invaders, also called
barbarians
Internal Forces
Political
• Corruption in government
• Plebeians had no rights
• Empire too large to
control
• Emperors plotted against
each other for control
instead of uniting
• Civil wars
• Government lost loyalty
as patricians moved to
villas and stopped caring
about government
• Army deteriorates
Economic
•
•
•
•
•
•
Slavery
Unemployment
Welfare system
Taxation
Forced labor
Decrease in trade
Social
• Christianity
• Loss of citizen’s
confidence and loyalty
• Population declines
• Hierarchical classes
• Too many cultures
• Bread and circuses
• Plague
Spread of Christianity
External Forces
External Forces
Invaders, also called barbarians, began to invade
in the 3rd century. Germanic tribes from northern
Europe crossed the Roman frontier and invaded
Greece, Italy, Spain, and coastal areas of Asia
Minor. The warmer climate, rich farmlands, and
wealth of the Roman lands attracted the Germanic
tribes. By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was
overrun by barbarians.
Barbarian Invaders Map
Important People
Diocletian
Attila the Hun
Odoacer
Constantine
Diocletian
Odoacer
Attila the Hun
Constantine
The Fall of Rome
Once the Roman army could no longer
defend its borders, Germanic tribes began
pouring into Europe. One Roman province
fell after another. In 476 A.D., the Western
Roman emperor was overthrown. Odoacer
was then proclaimed king of Italy. The
ancient world was drawing to a close.
THE END
Works Cited
Slide 3- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map26.html
Slide 4 map of roman empire atlas book
Slide 8- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/senate.gif
Slide 9- http://myron.sjsu.edu/romeweb/economy/economy.htm
Slide 10- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/gladiator.gif
Slide 11- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map31.html
Slide 12- www.roman-empire.net/graphics/small-cannae.gif
Slide 14- http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~atlas/europe/interactive/map21.html
Slide16- http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/6946/images/diocletian3.jpg
Slide 17- http://www.doser.org/his9/ancient_rome_pics/4.jpgSlide 18- odoacer
Slide 19http://encarta.msn.com/find/MediaMax.asp?pg=3&ti=00566000&idx=461515441
attila 3 of them
Slide 20- http://www.roman-emperors.org/constai.jpg