Section 5 - The Fall of Rome

Objectives

• What problems weakened the empire in the 200s?

• How did Diocletian and Constantine attempt to reform the empire?

• What caused the invasion and ultimate fall of the empire in the 400s?

Main Idea

Events and conditions inside as well as outside the Roman Empire weakened it and led to its collapse in

the west in the 400s.

Section 5 - The Fall of Rome

I. The Empire Weakensc. 180 - After the Pax Romana, empire faced internal and external problems

I. The Empire Weakens Last Good Emperor died, Rome had no strong leader - civil wars broke out

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, the last of the Five Good Emperors

Ruled from 161 to 180

I. The Empire Weakens Invasions - emperors increased size of army, creating economic crisis

I. The Empire Weakens Empire became military dictatorship; legions deposed emperors, put their leaders on throne

Lucius Septimius Severus (146 - 211)

Severus was a Roman general, Emperor from 193 to 211, and the first emperor to be born in Africa. His actions turned Rome into a military dictatorship, but he was popular for ending the rampant corruption of the reign of Commodus.

I. The Empire Weakens

Emperors raised taxes; lead and copper coins caused inflation

II. Attempts at Reform

Drastic reforms required if the empire was to survive

Roman slave revolt

II. Attempts at Reform

284 - Diocletian took power and changed empire into absolute monarchy

Caesar Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus Augustus

(244– 311)

Reign lasted from

20 November 284 to 1 May 305

II. Attempts at Reform

Diocletian divided the empire; he ruled eastern half, co-emperor ruled the west

II. Attempts at Reform

Put economy under imperial control and geared army toward defense - saved empire

Rome and Early Christianity Section 5

II. Attempts at Reform

305 – Diocletian retired, civil war broke out

312 - Constantine declared emperor by his troops, restored order

II. Attempts at Reform

Constantine legalized Christianity and built a new capital, Constantinople, in Byzantium

Constantine founds Nova Roma in 324 at the site of the earlier city of Byzantium (named after the Greek colonizer Byzas). It was the capital of the Roman Empire from 330-395. Later called Constantinople in his honor.

Late 300s - Huns forced Germanic tribes into Roman Empire

III. Invasion and Fall

A. The Invaders

c. 370 - Huns attacked the Ostrogoths; attack frightened the Visigoths, who fled into Italy

A. The Invaders

410 – Visigoths, led by Alaric, captured and sacked Rome

Alaric, leader of the Visigoths

A. The Invaders

450s - Vandals attacked Rome, destroying everything in their path

The Vandals in Rome Vandals plundering Rome

A. The Invaders

451 - Attila led Hun attack on Gaul; Romans allied with Visigoths to defeat Huns

A. The Invaders

Attila planned attack on Rome; Pope Leo I persuaded him to leave Italy

B. Fall of the West

476 –Western Empire now ruled by Germanic tribes; Ostrogoth leader Odoacer overthrew last emperor

Romulus Augustus, last emperor of

Western Roman Empire

477 Coin of Odoacer, depicted with a

"barbarian" moustache.

B. Fall of the West

Eastern Empire lasted until 1453; became known as the Byzantine Empire

Rome and Early Christianity Section 5