The The Fall Fall of the of the Roman Roman Empire Empire 7.6 7.6
Dec 16, 2015
InflationInflation*= rise in price caused by *= rise in price caused by
decrease in value of $decrease in value of $
*No more expansion = no more *No more expansion = no more new money.new money.
*Defense of borders and civil wars *Defense of borders and civil wars cost $$$$cost $$$$
*Daily life becomes harder for *Daily life becomes harder for peoplepeople
DiocletianDiocletian*General – made emperor in 284 AD*General – 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 *Attempted to improve the economyeconomy
*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 *A.D. 400: Two Empires existexist
*West: Grew weaker*West: Grew weaker*East: center of power *East: center of power and wealthand wealth
*German 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.
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 Augustus: last *476 – Romulus Augustus: 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 Ages*Europe 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 Values*Result: Europe in decay for 1,000 years till Renaissance in 1500s.