Post on 31-Dec-2015
description
Fall of Rome
Four major reasons
1. Political issues2. Social problems3. Economic trouble4. Military issues
Political issues• Since the end of Pax
Romana, Rome had years of civil war – why?– No authority for
emperor– Unqualified emperors
• Empire will get divided into Eastern Roman Empire, Western Roman Empire• Capital moved to
Byzantium
Why would dividing empire be such a big problem?
Economic trouble• Rome farm-based, but poor harvests– Land had been overworked
• Trade not great – trade routes disrupted by foreign armies
• High taxes – government desperate for money to pay armies
• Inflation – value of money drops– What does this mean?
• How could these help lead to the fall of Rome?
Social problems• Nobody proud to be Roman
anymore– Years of lousy rulers, not a whole
lot of good things led to people not caring about Rome like they used to
• Huge gap between rich and poor– Top 1% of population had 50% of
the money• Less people living in Rome –
disease, famine• Christianity – people more
devoted to religion than to Rome• Money to church, not to Empire
• How could this lead to fall of Rome?
Amount of Money in Rome
1% ofpopulationOther 99%
Military issues• Not enough soldiers– Rome had to use mercenaries – foreign soldiers paid
to fight for Rome• What’s the problem with this?• Tribes north of Rome began invading• Enemies made technological advances– Iron stirrup – allowed people to ride horseback while
wearing armor
• How could this lead to the fall of Rome?
Battle of Adrianople – 378 CE
Roman Army
Roman Army
Germanic Tribes and Families
Why is the fall of Rome a big deal?
• Controlled most of Europe for centuries• People of Europe don’t have anyone to
defend them, build their roads, provide laws• Rome a united empire, not city-states – why
does this matter?• Eastern Roman Empire will stay, Western
Rome falls in 476 CE• Eastern Roman Empire Byzantine Empire