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The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of the Roman Empire. Western Civilization December 6, 2012. Diocletian and Constantine. Political and Military Reforms Enlarged the army Employed more government officials to oversee Empire Drained public funds Declining tax-base led to devaluing of Roman currency

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The Fall of the Roman Empire

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  1. The Fall of the Roman Empire Western Civilization December 6, 2012

  2. Diocletian and Constantine • Political and Military Reforms • Enlarged the army • Employed more government officials to oversee Empire • Drained public funds • Declining tax-base led to devaluing of Roman currency • Economic and Social Reforms • Diocletian set wage and price controls • Forced workers to remain in their vocation (job) • Based on policies of CONTROL & COERCION

  3. Internal Causes • Political • Empire grew too fast and became too large • Unclear process of succession • Became controlled by the Praetorian Guard • Division of the Empire weakened it • Economy and strong leaders were centered in the East • Economic • Public services drained funds – led to high taxes • Declining population led to lack of tax revenue • Suffering economy led the Empire to collapse internally • Agriculture declined – land came under the control of a few aristocrats

  4. Internal Causes, cont. • Social • Roman patriotism disappeared • Too many “others” • Roman culture could not accept the influx of new cultures • Little loyalty to Roman government • Loss of morality • Hard times led Romans to think of themselves first, others second, and the Empire last • Christianity • Preached against emperor worship • Slavery created a vast body of unemployed Romans • Devastating epidemics

  5. External Causes • Barbarian Invasions • Huns • Central Asia • Gothics • Pushed into Roman territory • Rose up when Rome failed to protect them (killed emperor) • Huns, Ostrogoths, Burgundians, Lombards, Vandals, and Franks all entered the Empire • Rome sacked – 410 by the Visigoths • Rome sacked – 455 by the Vandals • 476, Odoacer declares himself king of Western Roman Empire

  6. The East Survives • The division of the empire into East and West greatly weakened it • Economy was centered in the East • Was able to better defend itself from invasion • Remained intact, with Constantinople as its capital • Becomes known as the Byzantine Empire

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