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UNIT 1 – GREECE AND ROME Chapter 5 – Greece Chapter 6 – Rome CHAPTER 6 SECTION 1 The Roman Republic SECTION 2 The Roman Empire The Fall of the Roman Empire SECTION 5 Rome and the Roots of Western Civilization • CORE OBJECTIVE: Analyze the impact of Ancient Rome and how it continues to impact our lives today. • Objective 1.7: Summarize and trace the fall of the Roman Empire. • Objective 1.8: Describe the legacy and achievements of Roman civilization. The Roman culture will have a significant impact and influence on many other world cultures. CHAPTER 6 SECTION 4 Internal problems and innovations spur the division and decline of the Roman Empire. • The Empire Declines Pax Romana ends in A.D. 180 with death of emperor Marcus Aurelius Subsequent emperors unable to govern giant empire • #1 Weak Economy Hostile tribes disrupt trade Raise taxes - Reached the limit of expansion, needed revenue Inflation — drop in value of money and rise in prices Minted coins with less silver Overworked soil leads to food shortages Famine and disease led to population decline REASONS FOR DECLINE (CONT…) • #2 Weak Military Soldiers loyal to commanders, not Rome Commanders fought amongst themselves for throne Government hires mercenaries — foreign soldiers they pay to fight; cannot recruit Roman citizens Outsiders felt no loyalty to Rome • #3 Political Problems • Citizens lose patriotism/interest in the affairs of Rome • Past Romans sacrificed lives to protect the Republic • Low confidence, corruption, office seen as burden • Military interference in politics AFTER 200 AD THE ROMAN EMPIRE FELL INTO CONFUSION. • The empire was running short of money and facing increasing pressure from raiders pushing in from the borders. • In one 50-year period, 26 emperors reigned, and only one of them died of natural causes. • Diocletian Reforms the Empire • Ruled harshly to restore order • Limited personal freedoms • Doubled size of Roman army • Set prices for goods • Claimed descent from Roman gods • In A.D. 284 Emperor Diocletian restores order, divides empire in two • Two emperors in Greek-speaking East, Latin-speaking West • In A.D. 305 Diocletian retires • Civil war breaks out; 4 rivals compete for power CONSTANTINE THE GREAT Constantine Moves the Capital Constantine becomes emperor of Western Empire in A.D. 312 • Seizes Eastern Empire in A.D. 324 Moves Roman capital to Byzantium • This united the empire once again Byzantium eventually renamed Constantinople — city of Constantine • Although Christianity had long been outlawed in the empire, Constantine legalized Christianity. • He ended the blood sports and gladiatorial games in the Colosseum. • He established Constantinople as the capital of the stronger eastern part of the Roman Empire, ruling both parts from there. • Constantinople is located on the Bosporus Strait that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. Rome remained capital of the weakened western part of the empire. THE FALL OF ROME • Germanic Invasions • Mongol nomads from Asia, the Huns invade northern borders of empire • This forces Germanic tribes to flee the Huns and enter Roman lands. The Visigoths sack Rome in 410 AD. • Attila the Hun • Attila — unites the Huns in A.D. 444 • plunders 70 cities in East • Attacks Rome in 452; • famine and disease prevents victory • The Vandals • East Germanic tribe Poland but moved to Carthage • plundered Rome in 455, and “vandalism” comes from their name • Last Roman emperor falls to Germanic tribes in 476; end of Western Empire • East thrives for another thousand years (Byzantine Empire) HISTORIANS HAVE LONG DEBATED THE CAUSES OF THE FALL OF ROME. • Factors included a terrible plague, the decline of agriculture, heavy taxes, and a decadent upper class devoted to luxury and greed. • Perhaps the more important question is not why Rome fell, but why it lasted so long. ROME FALLS • History Channel – Mankind Story of Us • Disk 1 – Section 1 “Breaking Point” • 1st segment - 9 minutes in length