a fc.34 decline & near collapse of the roman empire (i60-284 c.e.)
TRANSCRIPT
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Conquest after Augustus?
(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Trade with East?
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Rome’s neighbors?(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
FC.34A THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE GERMANIC THREAT (c.100-300 C.E.)
Roman Empire’s frontiers border Germanic tribes in North (FC.33)
Continuous attacks on Germanic tribes to keep Roman army busy & win
emperors glory
Incentive for Germanic tribes to unite in bigger
confederations
FC.34A THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE GERMANIC THREAT (c.100-300 C.E.)
Roman Empire’s frontiers border Germanic tribes in North (FC.33)
Trade with richer Roman civ. cultural, military &
political imitation of Rome
Continuous attacks on Germanic tribes to keep Roman army busy & win
emperors glory
Incentive for Germanic tribes to unite in bigger
confederations
Germanic tribes learn to unite in bigger
confederations vs. Rome
FC.34A THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE GERMANIC THREAT (c.100-300 C.E.)
Roman Empire’s frontiers border Germanic tribes in North (FC.33)
Trade with richer Roman civ. cultural, military &
political imitation of Rome
Continuous attacks on Germanic tribes to keep Roman army busy & win
emperors glory
Romans subsidize some tribes & turn them
against others to keep them weak
Incentive for Germanic tribes to unite in bigger
confederations
Germanic tribes learn to unite in bigger
confederations vs. Rome Romans in effect give some Ger. leaders wealth to gain followers & power
FC.34A THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE GERMANIC THREAT (c.100-300 C.E.)
Roman Empire’s frontiers border Germanic tribes in North (FC.33)
Trade with richer Roman civ. cultural, military &
political imitation of Rome
Continuous attacks on Germanic tribes to keep Roman army busy & win
emperors glory
Romans subsidize some tribes & turn them
against others to keep them weak
Keep their warriors busy
Gain wealth Reward their warriors & attract new ones to their standards
Preempt Roman attacks
Encouraged Germanic leaders to attack Rome in order to:
Incentive for Germanic tribes to unite in bigger
confederations
Germanic tribes learn to unite in bigger
confederations vs. Rome Romans in effect give some Ger. leaders wealth to gain followers & power
Germanic tribes bordering Rome coalesce into three main peoples:
Franks, Alemanni, & Goths
Germanic confederations start to attack Rome’s N. frontiers in 160s (FC.34)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)Army returning
from East brings epidemic…
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Marcus Aurelius’ son, Commodus (180-192), liked to pose as Heracles wearing a lion skin and carrying a club. He preferred taking part in chariot racing and gladiatorial matches to the serious business of government. Fittingly, after a reign of terror, he was murdered by a wrestler.
Pertinax (1/1/193-3/28/193) a capable emperor whose strict discipline and economizing measures quickly got him murdered by the Praetorian Guard only 87 days after ascending the throne
Didius Julianus (3/28-6/1/193) a Roman millionaire to whom the Praetorian Guard auctioned off the imperial throne. His authority barely extended outside of Italy and, abandoned even by the Praetorian guard that had put him on the throne, he was murdered after a reign of 66 days in favor of a military revolt led by Septimius Severus
Septimius Severus (193-211) a capable emperor, but one whose annexation of the troubled lands in Mesopotamia and increasing militarization of the Empire through doubling the troops’ pay would help lead to the anarchy of the 3rd century. Although a capable ruler who brought peace to the empire, his reputation was somewhat tarnished by the bloody methods he used to gain and maintain control of the throne. His dying words to his sons were supposedly “Enrich the troops. Nothing else matters.”
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Empire desperately needs what?
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
One way to raise money supply?
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Impact of debasement?
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers’ reaction?
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Another reaction by soldiers?
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Meanwhile Ger. Tribes?
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Impact on Econ?New diseases
spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_emperors
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
What saved it?
Near collapse of the Roman Empire by 260 C.E.
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)
AFC.34 DECLINE & NEAR COLLAPSE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (I60-284 C.E.)
Series of strong military emperors who gradually restore empire (260-284)
Emperor Diocletian makes major reforms to revive the exhausted empire (F.C. 35)
Near collapse of the Roman Empire by 260 C.E.
Inflation wrecks the economy
Soldiers demand more money
Empire needs more money
Emperors raise taxes & debase coinage
Soldiers get mad & declare their own generals emperor
Abandon frontiers to put gen’ls on throne
Germanic tribes & revived Persian Empire attack weakened frontiers
Disease, revolts & wars wreck econ.
New diseases spread by army
Empire desperately needs money
Few conquests after Augustus
Few new sources of
money (FC.32)
Army returning from East brings
epidemic Lower population & tax
base
Growing luxury trade w/East Huge drain of $
from empire(FC.32)
Incapable &/or corrupt rulers after
180 C.E. Huge bonuses to keep
army happy
Growing threats from Ger. tribes to N. &
Sassanid Persians to East Emp. needs
bigger army(FC.32)