Objectives
• What problems weakened the empire in the 200s?
• How did Diocletian and Constantine attempt to reform the empire?
• What caused the invasion and ultimate fall of the empire in the 400s?
Main Idea
Events and conditions inside as well as outside the Roman Empire weakened it and led to its collapse in
the west in the 400s.
Section 5 - The Fall of Rome
I. The Empire Weakens Last Good Emperor died, Rome had no strong leader - civil wars broke out
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, the last of the Five Good Emperors
Ruled from 161 to 180
I. The Empire Weakens Empire became military dictatorship; legions deposed emperors, put their leaders on throne
Lucius Septimius Severus (146 - 211)
Severus was a Roman general, Emperor from 193 to 211, and the first emperor to be born in Africa. His actions turned Rome into a military dictatorship, but he was popular for ending the rampant corruption of the reign of Commodus.
II. Attempts at Reform
284 - Diocletian took power and changed empire into absolute monarchy
Caesar Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus Augustus
(244– 311)
Reign lasted from
20 November 284 to 1 May 305
II. Attempts at Reform
Diocletian divided the empire; he ruled eastern half, co-emperor ruled the west
II. Attempts at Reform
Put economy under imperial control and geared army toward defense - saved empire
II. Attempts at Reform
305 – Diocletian retired, civil war broke out
312 - Constantine declared emperor by his troops, restored order
II. Attempts at Reform
Constantine legalized Christianity and built a new capital, Constantinople, in Byzantium
Constantine founds Nova Roma in 324 at the site of the earlier city of Byzantium (named after the Greek colonizer Byzas). It was the capital of the Roman Empire from 330-395. Later called Constantinople in his honor.
A. The Invaders
c. 370 - Huns attacked the Ostrogoths; attack frightened the Visigoths, who fled into Italy
A. The Invaders
410 – Visigoths, led by Alaric, captured and sacked Rome
Alaric, leader of the Visigoths
A. The Invaders
450s - Vandals attacked Rome, destroying everything in their path
The Vandals in Rome Vandals plundering Rome
B. Fall of the West
476 –Western Empire now ruled by Germanic tribes; Ostrogoth leader Odoacer overthrew last emperor
Romulus Augustus, last emperor of
Western Roman Empire
477 Coin of Odoacer, depicted with a
"barbarian" moustache.