Fall of the Roman Empire

Mr. Lawrence

The Power Structure Crumbles• The Roman Economy begins to

weaken as expansion ends– Inflation ensues because of a lack

of Natural Resources– Raising taxes– Bandits attack trade routes– Also the Food supply begins to

shrink• The Military begins to fail due to

the of new practice of hiring Mercenaries in the place of Romans

Reforming Emperors• Diocletian– Strong-willed and military minded – Realizes the empire cannot be run

by one man and splits the empire in two leaving himself in charge

•Constantine- Legalized Christianity in an attempt to unify the Empire- Moved the Capital from Rome to Constantinople

Barbarian Invasions• The first group to invade are the Germanics

• Many tribes come across the border seeking protection in exchange for military service

• However, the Romans treat them poorly and they revolt against the Empire, ending in the sacking of Rome by Alaric in 410 CE

Attila the Hun• Attila the Hun would

also attack both the Eastern and Western Empires

• Causing fear in the Empires and causing more distrust in the Roman Government

Christianity• Constantine

hoped to unite the Empire and bring peace by making Christianity the Religion of the Empire.

• However, He only brought more problems to a lack of loyalty to Rome

The Legacy of Rome• Greco-Roman Culture: Was

born out a mixture of the Hellenistic and Roman Worlds– Today this is called Classical

• Latin Language• Modern Architecture• Roman Law