The Long DeclineThe Long DeclinePages 147-151

DeclineDecline

Romans were stunned at the decline of their empire & looked for answers.

Marcellinus pointed to these declining values◦Libraries closed forever◦Moral decay of Roman classes◦External threats to the empire…the Huns

The decline did not happen overnight. It happened over centuries.

Crisis & ReformsCrisis & Reforms

The golden age of the Pax Romana died with Marcus Aurelius in 180.

For the next 100 years, a disruptive political pattern emerged…along with economic troubles as well

Emperors were overthrown by generals or political intriguers.◦ One 50 year period had 26 different emperors

High taxes supported the army & the bureaucracy placed heavy burdens on businesses & small farmers

Farmland lost its productivity due to overcultivation

DiocletianDiocletian

In 284◦Diocletian set out to restore order by:

Dividing the empire into 2 parts to make it easier to govern

Trying to increase the prestige of being an emperor by surrounding himself with elaborate ceremonies.

Fixing the prices for goods & services

ConstantineConstantine

In 312◦The talented general Constantine gained the throne

Continued Diocletian’s reforms Granted toleration to Christians

◦This encourage the rapid growth of Christianity within the empire

He built the new capital of Constantinople on the Bosporus, the straight that connects the Black & Mediterranean Seas.

This made the eastern portion of the empire the center of power

These 2 emperors revived the economy, & held the empire together for another century

Constantine & ConstantinopleConstantine & Constantinople

InvasionsInvasions

Rome had faced attacks from the Germanic peoples who lived east of the Rhine & north of the Danube rivers for centuries.

As early as 200◦Wars in East Asia set off a chain of events

overwhelming Rome Sent the Huns across Central Asia & they reached

Europe by 350 The Visigoths, Ostrogoths, & other Germanic peoples

crossed into Roman territory seeking safety Roman legions had trouble holding off the invaders They surrendered Britain, then France & Spain

Rome DefeatedRome Defeated

In 378◦ Roman army tries turning back the Visigoths, but it suffered a major defeat

In 410◦ Visigoth general Alaric overran Italy & plundered Rome◦ The Vandals moved through Gaul & Spain into North Africa◦ More & more Germanic peoples occupied more & more of the western

Roman empire In 434

◦ Attila the Hun began his savage campaign of conquest across Europe.◦ Christians called him the “scourge of God.” They believed his attacks were

God’s punishment to mankind for their sins.◦ He died in 453, & his empire collapsed but Germanic peoples still flocked to

the Roman empire In 476

◦ Odoacer was a Germanic leader that ousted the emperor in Rome even though they had already given up most of their empire.

Causes of the FallCauses of the Fall

This fall from greatness was a major turning point in the history of western civilization.◦ Germanic invasions◦ Legions of late empire lacked discipline & training◦ Hiring of mercenaries who felt no loyalty to Rome◦ Authoritarian & oppressive government◦ Civil wars over power◦ Rival armies battling for power causing a divide◦ Heavier taxes ◦ Reliance of slave labor prevented exploration of new technology◦ Climate change◦ Decrease of population because of plagues & wars◦ Decline in social values (patriotism, discipline, & devotion)◦ Upper class once provided leaders, but became self-interested◦ “Bread & Circuses” undermined self-reliance of the masses

Did Rome Fall?Did Rome Fall?

The Roman Empire did not vanish off the map in 476.◦An emperor still ruled the eastern Roman

empire◦This became known as the Byzantine empire

which lasted for another 1,000 years◦However Germanic customs & languages

replaced much of Roman culture