Transcript Chapter 6, Section 5x

Chapter 6.5
Crisis and Reforms
Marcus Aurelius
• Died 180 AD
• Rome falls into political/economic chaos
Stability of Rule was lost
• 26 Emperors in 50 years
Economic/Social Problems
• Unproductive farmland
• High taxes
Emperor Diocletian
284 Ad
• Divided the Empire into two parts
• Easier to govern
• Co-emperors
• Tried to bring stability
• Fixed prices
Emperor Constantine
312 AD
• Constantine becomes Emperor
• Religious Toleration to Christians
• Moved the capital to Byzantium
• Located between the Black Sea and Mediterranean
• Renamed it Constantinople
• More Resources available
Foreign Invasions
Internal problems
• Strength of military declined
• Outside invasions more successful
Huns
• Eastern Nomadic
• Migrated to Europe
• Conquered all that were in their path
Gothic Tribes
• Germanic tribes fled into Roman territory
• Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals…..take land from the Romans
Adrianople
• 378 AD
• Visigoths defeat Roman armies
• Outnumbered 25,000-15,000
• Valens
• Roman Emperor
• Killed in battle
• One of the worst military defeats
• Core army was destroyed
Sack of Rome
• 410 AD
• Visigoths
• Alaric
• Western Roman Empire
• Falls into ruin
Huns
• Begin a savage conquest across Europe
• Led by Attila the Hun
Attila
• “Scourge of God”
• Universal Ruler
• Conquered many Roman lands
Fall of Rome
• 476 AD
• Odacer, a Germanic leader
• Conquers Rome
Causes of the Fall of Rome
1. Military Defeat
2. Political Causes – Instability and the division of the empire
3. Economic Causes – Taxes, businesses/farms failed
4. Social Causes – Loss of patriotism, self interest increased.