Section 4 and 5

Chapter 6 Ancient Rome and Early Christianity

Section 4 The Decline of the Roman Empire   Rome declines after the rule of Marcus Aurelius. The rulers

that followed were brutal and incompetent.   Raids from hostile tribes and pirates on the Mediterranean

caused a disruption of trade   Fewer land were left to conquer so there was a resource and

god and silver drain

Section 4 The Decline of the Roman Empire   To pay of debts Rome raised taxes, and they started minting coins

that contained less and less silver, which created inflation.   Agriculture production decreased. Overworked soil lost fertility.

Wars destroyed land. Higher taxes caused poor farmers to leave their farms.

  Military troubles: Germanic tribes repeatedly overwhelmed the Roman legions, at the same time Persia threatened in Syria and Anatolia. Soldiers were loyal to commanders not to Rome because they were mercenaries who were paid to fight

  Citizens became indifferent and a loss of patriotism because of the decline of the economy, military and social conditions.

Section 4: The Decline of the Roman Empire   Diocletian takes steps to restore order and reform the empire   He doubled the size of the Roman army   Fixed prices to control inflation   Claimed to be a descent from Roman gods   Divided the Roman Empire into the Eastern and Western

Constantine reforms empire   Extended the reforms started by Diocletian   Restored the concept of single ruler   Moved capital of Rome to Byzantium

Causes of the Final Collapse of Western Roman Empire   Worsening internal conditions   Invasions by German tribes and Huns   Separation of Western Empire from wealthier Eastern Empire   Continued recruitment of non-Roman mercenaries help

cause a decline in patriotism and loyalty among soldiers. They were loyal to their commander not the empire.

  The Huns united under Attila and terrorized and plundered both parts of the empire

Attila the Hun

Section 5: Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization   The mixing of Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman culture

produces Greco Roman Culture   Sculpture:

 Greek Contributions: provided model for fine art of sculpture  Rome Contributions: developed base relief, used mosaic tiles,

created realistic portraits in stone, painted frescoes Philosophy: Greek Contributions: founded schools such as Stoicism Rome Contributions: applied teachings of Greek philosophers to

administration of the empire

Base Relief

Mosaic tiles

Frescoes

Cultural Elements   Literature

 Greek contributions: provided forms and models for literature such as the epics of Homer.

 Roman contributions: wrote epics, witty poetry and prose, history was important

Roman Achievements   Language: introduced and spread Latin, Latin became the

language of learning long after Rome fell   Architecture: Introduced arch, dome and concrete, built

Coliseum and other massive structures   Engineering: built bridges, aqueducts and roads

Language

Architecture  

Arch

Aqueducts and Bridges

Road system(85,000 miles)

Virgil   Poet that wrote the Aeneas an epic describing the history of

the legendary Aeneas (mythical hero of Rome and Troy, helped protect Troy, only second in ability to his cousin Hector)

Tacitus   Roman historian recognized for his accurate presentation of

the facts