THE FALL of ROME

1. THE FALL of ROME Should Rome have asked, “Where is the enemy?”?

2. Empire Crumbles • When the last of the “good emperors,” Marcus Aurelius died . . . • . . . He left his son, Commodus, in power. • He was a savage ruler. • He loved the bloodshed of the Gladiators. • He bribed the army to support him.

3. Empire Crumbles • This began the decline of Roman Empire. • Commodus was not the only cause for decline . . . • Many INTERNAL problems led to the end.

4. #1 Weak Corrupt Rulers • After Commodus, emperors were a succession of generals, not politicians. • They stole money from treasury to enrich themselves. • They had to pay off soldiers.

5. #1 Weak Corrupt Rulers • The government and economy fell to pieces. (inflation) • The senate lost its power. • Emperors were not safe. • In 104 years, there were 29 emperors. • . . . most were murdered (assassinated).

6. #2 Mercenary Army • The Roman Army had been made of citizen- soldiers, ready to defend their land. • The Roman Army had been made of citizen- soldiers, ready to conquer new lands, to receive “payment” of real value.

7. #2 Mercenary Army • The army was later filled with mercenaries- foreign soldiers fighting for pay-for personal gain. • Rome’s strength had depended on loyal army.

8. #3 The Size of the Empire • The empire had grown too large to be ruled from one place. • Enemies from Asia, Africa and Northern Europe, attacked. • Tribes that had been conquered poured over the borders causing the empire to shrink.

9. #4 Serious Economic Problems • Eventually Rome stopped conquering new lands. • no new sources of wealth • no new resources • Taxes became heavier. • Huge unemployment developed. • Rome paid an army that would not always fight.

10. #4 Serious Economic Problems • Food became scarce, inflation common. • Government made coins to pay for food; prices went up. • Less value in money, value based on silver, but with less and . . . • . . . less silver per coin, becoming worthless.

11. Trying to Stop Decline • Some emperors made efforts to stop decline of Empire. • Diocletian-- • persecuted Christians • worked to strengthen Rome • enlarged army • Built new forts at borders

12. Trying to Stop Decline • Diocletian (continued) • improved tax collection • had money to pay army • divided empire in two to make it easier to rule • chose the wealthy East, co-ruler given declining West

13. Romans Accept Christianity • Diocletian retired and so did his co-ruler, leading to years of civil war. • Generals fought each other. • In A.D. 312 Constantine, a general, stood near a bridge with his troops, with a battle about to begin. . .

14. Romans Accept Christianity • The sun broke through the clouds in the form of a cross, with the words, ”Under this sign you will conquer.” • Crosses were put on his soldiers’ shields; they enjoyed an overwhelming victory. • He believed the message came from Christian God; he vowed to become a Christian.

15. Romans Accept Christianity • Under Constantine, • Christianity was legalized and supported. • Freedom to worship was not limited. • Christianity soon became official religion. • Capital was moved to Byzantium, renamed Constantinople.

16. Fall of Rome (external factors, the attacks on Rome) • Constantine struggled to keep the empire together. • At his death, invaders swept across the borders. • They overwhelmed the empire. • Invaders came from tribes to the north; Rome had defeated these tribes earlier, but they were too weak now.

17. Fall of Rome (external factors, the attacks on Rome) • Goths- wore black, white faces like ghosts • Vandals- destroyed parts of the city and painted it in blood • Huns- used Roman tactics against them led by Attila • Visigoths- winged helmets, stole most of food like vultures

18. Fall of Rome (external factors, the attacks on Rome) • Rome was captured and looted. • Roman emperor was powerless. • Romulus Augustus • 14 years old • Captured by German general • Sent to work on a farm • No ruler remained in the West. • A new Empire began in the East in Byzantium, called Byzantine Empire.