the fall of rome
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The Fall of Rome. Chapter 6 section 5. Key Terms. Inflation Diocletian Attila. The Empire Weakens. Weak Leaders No strong leaders Civil wars Increased threat of invasion in east and the west Empires demands and military cause economic crisis. The Empire Weakens. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Inflation Diocletian Attila
Weak Leaders› No strong leaders› Civil wars
Increased threat of invasion in east and the west
Empires demands and military cause economic crisis
Empire became military dictatorship
Deposed emperors and put in their own leaders
20 emperors ruled between 235-284
All but one died violently
Robbery and piracy increased
No conquests no new wealth
Minted coins with less silver
Inflation-dramatic rise in prices
Diocletian› 284 AD› Changed emperor
to absolute monarchy
› Ruled accountable to no one
› Divided empire in two
› He ruled eastern› Both emperors
called Caesars
• Diocletian– Forced society into
rigid order– Sons follow trades
and social positions of their father
– Peasants permanently tied to the land
– Increased the army – Defense received
the most attention
Economy under state control
New tax system Saved empire from
economic collapse
Constantine› Decided to
abdicate 305 AD› 312 AD restored
order› Kept state control› Supported
Christianity› Built capitol to
Constantinople› Better able to
defend was richer
• Germanic tribes raided Rome’s frontiers
• 300’s the Huns came from the east
• Huns formed vast empires
• Visigoths were frightened
• 410 King Alaric sacked Rome
Huns pushed more tribes towards Roman Empire
Vandals attacked Rome 450
Destroyed everything in their path
Attila led attack on Gaul
Roman Army allied with the Visigoths
Defeated Huns in 451
Attila withdrew from Gaul turned to Rome
Pope Leo persuaded Attila to avoid Rome
Germanic tribes ruled the western provinces
Odoacer overthrew the last emperor
Eastern Empire still strong
Became Byzantine Empire