The Long Decline
5.5
Objectives
• Explain how and why the Roman empire
divided.
• Describe how waves of invaders contributed
to the decline of the Roman empire.
• Identify the various types of problems that
led to the fall of Rome.
Pax Romana
• Period of Peace in the Roman Empire
• 27 B.C. to 180 AD (after the civil wars)
• Cultural achievements (Hadrian’s Wall, Roads
etc..)
• Strong, professional army on the boarders
prevented massive conflict
• More importantly, Rome was united under
one ruler.
Overview
• The end of the “good times”
– Massive Inflation
– From 235-285 there were 26 emperors (only 1
died of natural causes).
– Mercenaries and loss of pride/service coupled
with border issues.
– Diocletian divides empire into East/West
The Roman Empire Divides
Diocletian Shares Power
• 284 A.D. , Diocletian divided the empire into
two parts
– He ruled the wealthy East
– Maximian ruled the West
• Looked to slow inflation
– Fixed prices
Constantine
• 312 -337 A.D.
• Declared a new Capital
• Byzantium
-He later renamed it
Constantinople
-Became new economic
and social center of the
empire.
Invaders Threaten the Roman Empire
• As the Huns invaded eastern Europe,
Germanic tribes fled toward Rome for safety
• Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and other Germanic
tribes
The Huns
• Arrived in Europe around 370 AD
• Attila comes on the scene in 434
• Attacked Rome when they did not pay all of
their tribute (“Scourge of God”)
• By 453 Attila had died but damage done
Rome is Sacked “The End”
• The Vandals
– Sacked Rome in 455 leaving it in shambles
• By mid 5th Century German Chiefs not Roman
Emperors held all real power
– 476 AD Odoacer became the first Germanic King
of Italy (Romulus Augustus last Emperor in West)
– Only half of empire left.
Causes for Rome’s fall
Weakened army
– Barbarization (changes perception of people)
– Legions to the borders/civil war
• Oppressive government
– Gap between rich and poor
– Corrupt/inept emperors
– Christianity’s message contradicts “Roman Ideals”
Political Causes
• Government lost support of the people
• Throne was constantly changing
• Empire was divided (East/West)
Economic Weakness
• Relied on slave labor
• Heavy taxes
• Shrinking middle class
Internal - Social Decay
• Decline in traditional values (patriotism,
discipline, and devotion to duty)
• Examples?
Grouping the Causes
• External:
-Military attacks
- Splitting the Empire
-Huns/Barbarians
-Disease reaching the empire (?)
-Growing weakness of the military (mercenaries v. citizen soldiers)
• Internal:
-Political Turmoil
-Economic Weakness
-Social Decay