You have just taken over as emperor of Rome after
a civil war. There are barbarians invading your
borders, and you are having trouble
communicating with distant parts of the empire,
what do you do?
1.
2.
3.
Raise taxes, increase
the military, try to
regain the glory of the
empire
Split the empire in two,
increase role of state in
economy & daily life
Sit back & enjoy life,
who cares about some
frontier provinces?
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3
Fall of Rome & Rise of
Christianity
Barbarians, Byzantines, & Biblical
Folk
When the Romans overthrew their Etruscan rulers,
they set up a new government. What kind did
they set up?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Democracy
Oligarchy
Republic
Imperial
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2
3
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4
Rome eventually expanded into a massive empire.
In doing so they fought a series of three wars
(Punic Wars) with what civilization?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Greece
Persia
China
Carthage
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2
3
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4
After defeating Carthage, Rome ruled the
Mediterranean world for a few centuries. Trade &
cultural exchange flourished during this period
known as?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pax Romana
Pax Italiano
Roman Period
Age of Rome
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During the Pax Romana, the Republic fell and
Rome became an Empire run by single individuals.
What things below led to the fall of the Republic?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Corruption & gap
between rich and
poor
Foreign citizens &
natural disasters
Invasions
Military wanted
one leader
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4
Today’s Learning Goal
Be able to recall important facts about the
Roman Empire and its decline
 Be able to discuss & analyze the internal &
external factors that led to the downfall of
Rome
 Be able to write a brief statement
defending a specific point of view

Roman Decline
(handout: Decline Factors)

Internal factors
– Political
 Civil wars
 Weak leaders
– Economic
 Inflation
 Over-taxation
– Social
– Christianity
 Church leaders took
power from emperors
 Removed unifying
power of Paganism

External factors
– Invasions
 Barbarians
 Muslims)
– Economic
 Trade disruptions
 Trade deficits
 Economic stagnation
– Size of empire
 Military overworked
 Cultural Decay
Discussion Break
Get in groups of two
 Discuss the following question: Which
factors do you believe were most
responsible for the decline of Rome? Why
do you think those factors were most
important? What could have been done to
prevent the fall of Rome?

Did the Roman Empire fall or
was it pushed? Which factors
were more important?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Internal factors
External factors
Combination of
both
Rome did NOT fall,
it just changed
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In Class Writing Question
Based on what you have heard &
discussed, answer the following question
on a piece of paper (due at end of class)
 What was the most important factor(s)
that led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
Why do believe that factor(s) was most
important? What would you have done to
prevent the fall of Rome?

How did Rome fall?
After the Republic fell, there were a series
of strong Emperors (“The Good
Emperors”) & a long series of weak
Emperors
 As the Empire slowly fell into disarray &
decline three Emperors tried to save it by
making major changes

Reforming the Empire




Three Emperors who tried
to reform the Empire (all
were based in East)
Diocletian
– Divided the Empire
into sub-regions
Constantine (more later!)
Theodosius
– Last to rule both
halves
Diocletian’s Reforms
Roman Empire is split
into two
administrative halves
 Co-emperors
 Eastern eventually
based in
Constantinople
 Western based in
Rome

Constantine
Ordered building of
the city of
Constantinople (A
New Rome) on the
grounds of Byzantium
 Converts to
Christianity

Rise of Christianity
Christianity:
monotheistic religion
founded on teachings
of Jesus Christ
 Spread through
Roman Empire by
Paul
 Nicene Creed- basic
statement of
fundamental beliefs

What do you think is in the Nicene
Creed? Christians should. . .
Pray every day,
practice charity &
believe only in God
the Father.
2. Believe in the Trinity,
one church &
baptism
3. Read the Bible, pray
& go to church
1.
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Western & Eastern Rome did
not fall at the same time.
Which one do you think fell
first?
1.
2.
Western Empire
Eastern Empire
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1
50%
2
Why?
The Fate of Western Rome
Western Roman Empire




“Barbarians” conquer
Western Rome in 476 CE
Goths, Visigoths, &
Vandals
Who end up adopting
Latin, Roman law, &
Christianity
Begin development of
distinct European cultures
Eastern Roman Empire




Known as Byzantine
Empire
Capital was
Constantinople
(situated between
Europe & Asia)
Empire lasted until
1453 CE when defeated
by Muslims
Included Balkans, Asia
Minor, Syria & Egypt
The Eastern Empire (Byzantine)
The Byzantines: Who are they?
Were more Greek
than Roman
 Spoke Greek, not
Latin
 More multicultural
 Distinct form of
Christianity (Eastern
Orthodoxy)

Justinian I (527-565 CE)
Tried to restore unity of
Rome
 Recaptured much of North
Africa, Italy, & Spain
 Justinian’s Code
– People should be ruled
by laws, not whims of
leaders
– Basis for most European
legal systems

Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Christian Church
begins to break apart
 By 1054 CE political,
doctrinal, &
geographical
differences led to
major split
 Still have Roman
Catholic & Orthodox
(which means right
opinion in Greek!)

What was the issue that caused
the split between Christians?
1.
2.
3.
Whose is in charge
(Pope or
emperor)?
Are Icons OK?
(icons are religious
pictures)
The role of Jesus
in the Trinity?
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2
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3
The Great Schism

Eastern Orthodox
– Emperors played
major role in church
affairs
– Patriarch (appointed
by emperor) supreme
leader of church
– Emperor Leo III (an
iconoclast) says they
are not
– Holy Spirit from God

Roman Catholic
– Pope supreme leader
of church
– Icons (images of
religious figures)- Pope
Gregory III says they
are ok
– Excommunicates icon
destroyers
– Holy Spirit from God &
Jesus
Which emperor converted to Christianity &
founded Constantinople?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Diocletian
Theodosius
Constantine
Justinian
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Which emperor is best known for a legal code that
is the basis of modern Western law?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Constantine
Theodosius
Justinian
Diocletian
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2
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4
What emperor split the empire in halves & created
co-emperors?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Theodosius
Diocletian
Constantine
Justinian
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2
3
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4
New monotheistic religion that arose in the Roman
Empire, based on teachings of Jesus Christ &
spread throughout Empire by Paul?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Paganism
Nicene Creed
Christianity
Islam
25%
1
25%
25%
2
3
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4