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-