Why Did Rome Fall?
Chapter 6 Section 5
Political Failures and Corruption
• Diocletian • Constantine• Oppressive and Corrupt• Next Emperor?• 50 years = 26 Emperors– One died of Natural Causes
Social and Economic Failures
• Latifundia• Farm Land exhausted • High Taxes• Decline of Morals & Values – Patriotism,
Discipline, Devotion to Duty• Inflation - a general increase in prices and fall in
the purchasing value of money• Unemployment = Restless Mob– Importing grain for 100,000 citizens of Rome
Religion in Rome
• Polytheistic– Persecution of Jews/Christians (other)– Cult of Isis– Mithraism
• Monotheistic– Persecution of Heretics/Pagans (other)– Structure of the Church• Patriarchs/Bishops of major cities: Rome, Antioch,
Alexandria, Jerusalem, Constantinople
The Rise of Christianity
The Spread of Christianity
Military Failures
• Mercenaries• Declining success – Less slaves + riches
• Increasing cost of Military @ Borders– Leaves little for public works
The Empire in Crisis: 3c
Barbarian Invasions
• Hun Invasions – Attila 434 AD• Barbarian invasions of Visigoths, Ostrogoths,
Lombards, Burgundians, Franks, Vandals• Odoacer – 476 AD – Official Fall of Rome– Romulus Augustus flees
Barbarian Invasions: 4c-5c
• Did Rome Fall?–Byzantine Empire •Constantinople
The Byzantine EmpireDuring the Reign of Justinian
The Legacy of Rome Republic Government
Roman Law Latin Language Roman Catholic Church City Planning Romanesque Architectural Style Roman Engineering
• Aqueducts• Sewage systems• Dams• Cement• Arch
Why did Rome Fall?
• T•1-•2-•3-
• T- (Thesis) What you are trying to PROVE throughout your essay
• 1- (Subtopic) Evidence to PROVE your THESIS true
• 2-(Subtopic) Evidence to PROVE your THESIS true
• 3-(Subtopic) Evidence to PROVE your THESIS true
Why did Rome Fall?
• T•1-•2-•3-