The Fall of the Roman The Fall of the Roman EmpireEmpire

Why would such a great Why would such a great Empire fail???Empire fail???

Brainstorm ideas:Brainstorm ideas:

Military ReasonsMilitary Reasons

Germanic TribesGermanic Tribes• Hun people from Central AsiaHun people from Central Asia

Large empire that invaded Rome from the Large empire that invaded Rome from the northnorth

Attila the Hun (405-453) defeated the Goths Attila the Hun (405-453) defeated the Goths and Vandals before invading Romeand Vandals before invading Rome

Military ReasonMilitary Reason

Weakened Legions (army)Weakened Legions (army)• Hired MERCENARIES had NO loyalty to Hired MERCENARIES had NO loyalty to

the Roman governmentthe Roman government• Caused a lot of uncontrollable violenceCaused a lot of uncontrollable violence

• High Cost of defending such a large High Cost of defending such a large empire against attack (Huns, Celts, empire against attack (Huns, Celts, Visigoths, Vandals)Visigoths, Vandals)

Social ReasonsSocial Reasons

As the empire grew, the number of poor As the empire grew, the number of poor citizens increased, which led to urban citizens increased, which led to urban decaydecay

Due to size of empire—loss of loyalty, Due to size of empire—loss of loyalty, patriotism, and duty to serve Romepatriotism, and duty to serve Rome

People felt more secure under Barbarian rulePeople felt more secure under Barbarian rule Eastern part of the empire Eastern part of the empire

(Constantinople) was gaining more power(Constantinople) was gaining more power Urban decay: cities were filthy, wooden Urban decay: cities were filthy, wooden

apartments were falling apart, poor apartments were falling apart, poor sewage lead to plaguesewage lead to plague

Political ReasonsPolitical Reasons

No system was set up to crown a No system was set up to crown a new dictator, many assassination new dictator, many assassination and corrupt naming of dictatorsand corrupt naming of dictators• In 50 years of Rome, 25 emperors ruledIn 50 years of Rome, 25 emperors ruled

2 capitals (Rome and Constantinople)2 capitals (Rome and Constantinople)• East became more wealthy and refused East became more wealthy and refused

to help the Westto help the West

Economic ReasonsEconomic Reasons

Too high of taxesToo high of taxes Slave labor lead to unemploymentSlave labor lead to unemployment Inflation (high prices and low money Inflation (high prices and low money

value) due to shortage of gold and value) due to shortage of gold and silver for coinssilver for coins

Rome stopped expanding borders, Rome stopped expanding borders, which meant no more war “loot” which meant no more war “loot” coming incoming in

Diocletian’s Wages and Price Diocletian’s Wages and Price ControlsControls

Wages per dayWages per day Prices per poundPrices per pound

Farm labor…24 denariiFarm labor…24 denarii

Sewer Cleaner..25 denariSewer Cleaner..25 denari

Carpenter…50 denariiCarpenter…50 denarii

Wall painter…75 denariiWall painter…75 denarii

Artist…150 denariiArtist…150 denarii

Baker…50 denariiBaker…50 denarii

Pork….12 denariiPork….12 denarii

Beef….8 denariiBeef….8 denarii

Sea fish…24 denariiSea fish…24 denarii

Second quality…15Second quality…15

Diocletian Diocletian

Made Emperor in 284 CEMade Emperor in 284 CE He realized that the empire grew too He realized that the empire grew too

large so he appointed a emperor in large so he appointed a emperor in the East as well. the East as well.

Drove out invading Barbarian tribesDrove out invading Barbarian tribes Attempted to stop inflation and Attempted to stop inflation and

unemployment by controlling prices unemployment by controlling prices and wagesand wages

ConstantineConstantine

Crowned Emperor after DiocletianCrowned Emperor after Diocletian Remembered for creating a new Remembered for creating a new

capital city in the East: capital city in the East: ConstantinopleConstantinople

Died in 337 CEDied in 337 CE Empire was completely spilt in 2 by Empire was completely spilt in 2 by

400 CE400 CE