Fall of the Roman Empire

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Fall of the Roman Empire
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Why did Rome Fall?

• Power-hungry, greedy, and corrupt leaders
• Large, poor slave class
• Roman citizens were distracted by games in the
  arena, became lazy, undisciplined, and expected
  free handouts from the government
• High taxes and inflation (no manufacturing and a
  trade deficit created a bad economy)
• Army had grown weak
• Barbarian invasions

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Huns from the Northeast!
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Barbarians from the northern Frontier
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Barbarians Attack!
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Rome is Destroyed!
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Why Did Rome Fall?

• The once proud republic of virtue and
  democratic ideals, had become corrupt, and more
  of a totalitarian regime

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Coming of the Dark Ages
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Dark Ages

• Roman empire was invaded by semi-civilized
  (Romanized) barbarians who then were taken over
  by very uncivilized barbarians who wanted nothing
  but to destroy, pillage, and plunder (500-800s
  A.D.)._
• The cities were burned down, the population
  murdered, books/science was destroyed, and much
  of the old knowledge/learning disappeared.
• The survivors huddled together under the
  protection of wealthy families (nobles) who could
  provide safety and protection in castles from the
  chaos of constant wars.
• In return for safety behind walls, the peasants
  gave up their freedom and worked the land as a
  sort of slave labor (serfs). This is now the
  period we call the Middle Ages (800-1400).

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Introduction to the Dark Ages
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Dark Ages
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In Romes Wake
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Feudalism and Manor Life
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Feudal Power Pyramid