Unit: Fall of the Roman Empire

Lesson Title:

Fall of the Western Roman Empire Part 2

The Roman Empire Divides

(See text page 31)

(Definition-- Capital: the key city and center of government)

In Class Reading Activity

Read “Division of the Empire”on page 31.

Answer these questions:

1. Why did Diocletian decide to divide the empire?

2. Name two things Constantine accomplished as Emperor.

Key Facts

Diocletian became Emperor of Rome in the late A.D. 200s.

Diocletian believed the empire was too big to govern, so he divided the empire into two empires: East and West. He kept control of the Eastern Empire—which later became known as the Byzantine Empire.

Hey, we talked about this before…

Anyone remember the reasons why we thought being too big could be a problem for the Roman Empire?

The two empires created by Diocletian:

DIOCLETIAN was

unhappy with the

city of RomeIt was crowded !

It was dirty !It was smelly !

Diocletian moved the capital from Rome to Nicomedia

Constantine

Emperor Constantine followed Diocletian into power, and reunited the two empires for a short time.

Constantine used the rapidly spreading religion of Christianity to help unite the Empire. Constantine became the first Christian Roman Emperor.

Emperor Constantine put the Roman Empire back together again under his rule.

Constantine moved the capital of the Empire from Nicomedia to a nearby city called Byzantine. He rebuilt the city, which became known as Constantinople (Constantine’s City).

Constantinople’s location was perfect for trade with Europe and Asia

Constantinople’s walls made it a powerful fortress for its large population.

Constantinople and the Byzantine (Eastern) Empire would prosper for a long time….

but not Rome and the Western Empire!

Right Side Notebook Activity

You are a citizen of Rome around

the time of Diocletian and Constantine.

Create a billboard that argues whether it is better to have one large empire or two smaller ones. Include a statement and picture.

Two empires: smaller is better!