Transcript The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

The Decline and Fall of the
Roman Empire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a
oV-COXOdEQ
The Long Decline
 The
Empire Divides- after the death of Marcus
Aurelius (The Meditations) the political, social and economic
aspects of the empire become unstable. (26 emperors in 50 yrs.)
•
The Emperor Diocletian divides empire in two.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuKSi8_w-hw&feature=related
- appoints Maximian as emperor of western provinces.
•
Later, Constantine makes Constantinople the grand
capital of the eastern empire. (New Rome)
- this division and moving of the capital only slows down
the decline. It is now MORE Autocratic!
Differences
INVADERS
When Huns from central Asia invaded eastern Europe, the
Germanic people there, in turn, invade the Roman Empire
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Attila the Hun
Alaric and Visigoths
Ostrogoths
Vandals
Ironically, many of these so called “barbarians” had been productive allies of
Rome. Many even served in the legions. However, many are mistreated when
they flee inside the borders of the empire for safety.
In essence, these “barbarians” retaliate, and inflict lasting and permanent
damage to the empire. Eventually causing its fall.
Attila the
Hun meets
the Pope!
Leader of
“migrating
nomads”
Alaric the
Visigoth
pillages
Rome 410
A.D..
Vandals
Many Problems cause Rome to
Fall
 The
invasions were only part of the
story.
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The government had lost the support of many Romans.
Taxes and slave labor undermine middle class and
farmers. Stifle technology.
Patriotism dwindles
Military becomes obsolete
Causes of the Fall of the Western Roman
Empire
Total
Chaos!
Military
Social
Political
Germanic
peoples,
fleeing Huns,
invade the
empire
 Legions lack
discipline
Mercenaries
feel little
loyalty
Frequent
Civil Wars
 values


decline
Upper class is
devoted to
luxury
Masses lose
self reliance
Gov’t becomes
more
authoritative
and oppressive
Corrupt
officials
Dividing the
empire further
weakens it
Eastern empire
does little to
help the West.
Economic
Heavier taxes
are needed to
support gov’t
bureaucracy and
military
 Reliance on
slave labor. Tech.
is ignored.
Farmers forced
to abandon land.
Middle class sinks
in poverty
 Pop. Declines
due to war and
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