Why Did Rome Fall?
Chapter 6 Section 5
Political Failures and Corruption
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Diocletian
Constantine
Oppressive and Corrupt
Next Emperor?
50 years = 26 Emperors
– One died of Natural Causes
Social and Economic Failures
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Latifundia
Farm Land exhausted
High Taxes
Decline of Morals & Values – Patriotism,
Discipline, Devotion to Duty
• Inflation - a general increase in prices and fall in
the purchasing value of money
• Unemployment = Restless Mob
– Importing grain for 100,000 citizens of Rome
Religion in Rome
• Polytheistic
– Persecution of Jews/Christians (other)
– Cult of Isis
– Mithraism
• Monotheistic
– Persecution of Heretics/Pagans (other)
– Structure of the Church
• Patriarchs/Bishops of major cities: Rome, Antioch,
Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople
The Rise of Christianity
The Spread of Christianity
Military Failures
• Mercenaries
• Declining success
– Less slaves + riches
• Increasing cost of Military @ Borders
– Leaves little for public works
The Empire in Crisis: 3c
Barbarian Invasions
• Hun Invasions – Attila 434 AD
• Barbarian invasions of Visigoths, Ostrogoths,
Lombards, Burgundians, Franks, Vandals
• Odoacer – 476 AD – Official Fall of Rome
– Romulus Augustus flees
Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c
• Did Rome Fall?
–Byzantine Empire
• Constantinople
The Byzantine Empire
During the Reign of Justinian
The Legacy of Rome
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Republic Government
Roman Law
Latin Language
Roman Catholic Church
City Planning
Romanesque Architectural Style
Roman Engineering
• Aqueducts
• Sewage systems
• Dams
• Cement
• Arch
Why did Rome Fall?
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• T- (Thesis) What you are trying to PROVE
throughout your essay
• 1- (Subtopic) Evidence to PROVE your
THESIS true
• 2-(Subtopic) Evidence to PROVE your
THESIS true
• 3-(Subtopic) Evidence to PROVE your
THESIS true
Why did Rome Fall?
•T
• 1• 2• 3-