The The Fall of Fall of the the Roman Roman EmpireEmpire

7.67.6

Fall of an EmpireFall of an Empire

Why did taxation increase Why did taxation increase in the Empire? Who did in the Empire? Who did this hurt the most?this hurt the most?

What reforms did the What reforms did the Emperor Diocletian try to Emperor Diocletian try to institute?institute?

InflationInflation = rise in price caused by decrease = rise in price caused by decrease

in value of $in value of $ No more expansion = no more new No more expansion = no more new

money.money. Defense of borders and civil wars Defense of borders and civil wars

cost $$$$cost $$$$ Daily life becomes harder for peopleDaily life becomes harder for people

DiocletianDiocletian General – made emperor in 284 ADGeneral – made emperor in 284 AD Realized empire was too large for Realized empire was too large for

one person to governone person to govern appointed co-emperor and 2 appointed co-emperor and 2

assistants: he controlled Eastassistants: he controlled East

Attempted to improve the economyAttempted to improve the economy Keys: defense and security of the Keys: defense and security of the

EmpireEmpire

Constantine• Won civil war in 324 AD

and reunited empire.• Supported Christianity after vision

on battlefield – eventually won battle.

• Created Constantinople• Empire weakens after his death in

337.

Two Empires Two Empires

A.D. 400: Two Empires existA.D. 400: Two Empires existWest: Grew weakerWest: Grew weakerEast: center of power East: center of power

and wealthand wealthGerman tribes become a German tribes become a

problemproblem

Goths• Goths –flood into empire in late

300s.• After poor treatment – crush

large Roman army at Adrianople–Eastern emperor Valens killed in

battle

• 410 – King Alaric takes Rome–first time in 800 years.

Vandals• Sneak into border during Goth

problems

• 429 – invade North Africa

• 455 – sack Rome

• Today: Vandal – means terrorize, destroy, steal, etc.

Vandal’s Sack of Rome

Huns• Nomads from Asia

–Attila: greatest Hun leader

• Took much of modern Austria and Hungary from Rome

• Lost to combined barbarian/Roman force in Gaul

AftermathAftermath 476 – Romulus Augustulus: last 476 – Romulus Augustulus: last

emperor in Westemperor in West ““Fall of Roman Empire”Fall of Roman Empire”

Eastern Empire remains until Eastern Empire remains until 14531453

Learning declined – libraries Learning declined – libraries destroyed and technology lostdestroyed and technology lost

Europe slips into Dark AgesEurope slips into Dark Ages

Causes of Decline: Military • Barbarians pushing East

–Needed land to live on

• Romans need troops –Dependent on Barbarian recruits

• Generals: overthrowing one another to be emperor.

• Loss of loyalty to Rome

Causes: Political• Empire too large to control

• Burden of public service

• Corruption/Unstable leadership–Government failed

Causes: Economic• Too expensive to defend

borders

• Expansion stopped: no new $

• High Taxes

• High Inflation

Causes: Social• Class differences

–Rich had power: Poor unhappy and growing

• Loss of patriotism• Loss of ValuesResult: Europe in decay for

1,000 years till Renaissance in 1500s.