Do Now

1
Do Now

• Reflecting on the Pax Romana, what do you think
  may lead to the fall of Rome?

2
After the Pax Romana. the Roman Empire began to
D.E.C.L.I.N.E.
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The Decline of the Roman Empire

• After Pax Romana, the Western part of Roman
  Empire declines for many reasons.
• Weak leaders weak Empire
• Leads to division and then the collapse of Roman
  Empire.

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Defense of the Empire costs too much
http//www.french-at-a-touch.com/Graphics_M-O/new_
pa1.jpg
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Economic difficulty and the devaluation of Roman
currency

• Roman emperors continued to debase the coinage.
• Debasing backing the coinage up with less value.

http//www.romancoins.info/Brutus-Obverse.jpg
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Cant discipline military, it now includes
invaders

• Need more soldiers people begin to fight for
  pay, not their country.
• Rulers hire corrupt soldiers who fight for a
  price (mercenaries).
• Leads to lack of military discipline and loyalty

http//www258.pair.com/denarius/images/erf_rr1875.
jpg
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Loss of faith in Rome and the family
http//www.utexas.edu/courses/romanciv/Romancivima
ges23/severantondo.jpg

• The rich started to spend their money on products
  from the East, making Rome weaker.
• Population decline due to a poor understanding of
  fertility.

Notice anything out of the ordinary in this
picture?
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Invasions on the borders (Barbarians)

• Invaders include Visogoths, Ostrogoths, Franks,
  Huns, and Persians.
• Barbarians
• Outsiders

http//wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/262/268
312/art/figures/KISH_06_140a.gif
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New political problems, civil conflict and weak
administration

• Pandemic strikes Rome and further depletes its
  population.
• Military rivalries drained money and made Romans
  enemies of each other.

http//img360.imageshack.us/img360/1466/rome3ma.jp
g
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Eeeek! Moral decay!!

• People lose faith in Rome
• Crime and unemployment increase

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How do the Roman Emperors try to prevent the
decline?

• Diocletian
• Rules from 284- 305
• Divides Empire into East and West.
• He rules East from the capital of Byzantium
  appoints official to rule West

http//go.hrw.com/venus_images/0304MC05.gif
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Back to the Christian Church

• Christianity spreads rapidly through
  Mediterranean area because of missionaries.
• Romans become uneasy with Christianity gaining so
  much popularity.
• Roman leaders like Nero and Diocletian begin to
  blame Christians for any problems.
• Many Christians become martyrs.
• Martyr person who suffers/dies for beliefs
• Christianity is sometimes named as a cause for
  the decline of Rome because peoples loyalty was
  to God instead of Rome.

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The Great Emperor Constantine

• Takes throne in 313 AD.
• During battle, had a vision of the cross.
• Took this as a sign and ended persecution of
  Christians in the Empire.
• Issued the Edict of Milan freedom of worship to
  all citizens legalized Christianity.

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Theodosius

• Takes throne in 380 AD.
• Declares Christianity official religion of
  Empire.
• Outlaws other religions.

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Closing Remarks of Christianity

• Because of Constantine and Theodosius, Christian
  Church became example of moral authority.
• Loyalty to church became more important than
  loyalty to the emperor.
• As Roman Empire loses power in West, Church grows
  and becomes foundation for Western civilization.
• Christian Church becomes unifying force in Europe.

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The Huns and Visigoths

• 4th century, nomadic group called Huns invade
  area north of Roman Empire.
• The Visigoths in this area, flee to Empire.
• Visigoths eventually dominate the Roman military
  Romans fear a takeover.
• Romans attack Visigoths but lose.

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The End of the Empire

• 476 AD Visigoths overthrow Rome and end Western
  Roman Empire.
• Eastern Empire survives another thousand years
  becomes Byzantine Empire.
• Byzantiums name becomes Constantinople.

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Extra Credit Opportunity

• Due Monday, February 5th. (15 points)
• Write a two page essay comparing the Roman Empire
  to the United States.
• You can take several approaches to this
• Focus on the greatness and importance of both.
• Focus on the causes of Romes decline and how the
  U.S. may be showing the same weaknesses.
• Focus on the governmental structure and its
  impact.
• Focus on the tactics of the military.
• Anything else that is reasonable and that you are
  interested in researching (the impact of
  Christianity, great leaders, etc.)
• MLA Format, citation of resources (should include
  multiple resources), carefully proofread.

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Reflection

• Which cause of DECLINE do you think is the most
  important in causing Rome to collapse?