The Fall of Rome

1
The Fall of Rome

• By Andrew Smardenkas
• Graham Langdale
• Michael Donnelly

2
Introduction

• There are many factors that contributed to the
  fall of the Roman Empire. Three of the most
  prominent ones are
• The rise of Christianity
• Political mishaps
• Economic mishaps

3
The Rise of Christianity

• Christianity spread very quickly throughout the
  empire
• Rome was originally a polytheistic society and
  was divided between the Pagan followers and the
  Christian worshippers
• Emperor Constantine 1, adopted Christianity as
  the state religion
• Until Constantine made this reform, Christians
  were persecuted by the Pagan worshippers
• Even though Christianity became the common
  religion, Pagan worshippers still practiced their
  religion which led to the growing rift within the
  Empire
• Constantine and Licinius' Edict of Milan (313)
  removed penalties for professing Christianity,
  under which many were martyred in previous
  persecutions of Christians, and returned
  confiscated Church property.After the Edict, new
  avenues were opened to Christians, including the
  right to compete with pagan Romans in the
  traditional cursus honorum for high government
  positions, and greater acceptance into general
  civil society. New churches were allowed to be
  constructed and Christian leadership became
  increasingly bold ? Christian bishops took
  aggressive public stances that were unheard of
  among other religions.(http//en.wikipedia.org/wi
  ki/Constantine_I_28emperor29)

4
Political Mishaps

• Many political mishaps led to the fall of Rome
• A big problem with the empire was that it was a
  vast city spreading from Spain to the Persian
  Gulf which caused it to stretch itself thin
• As a result of poor unity within the empire, Rome
  was divided in the eastern and the western region
• The western region was much weaker and collapsed
  in 400 A.D.
• Legions of soldiers often lost trust in the
  Emperor and were more loyal to their generals
  then to anyone else
• Emperors such as Diocletine and Constantine
  prolonged the life of the Empire, but could not
  stop its decline

5
Economical Mishaps

• One of the most significant factor leading to the
  fall of Rome was the decline of the economy
• The government had many debts to pay
• A way had to be found in order to fund public
  building projects, maintaining the many
  highways that were constructed as well as a
  sustaining its large army
• Citizens were heavily taxed which they felt was
  was excessive and unjust.
• Rome received much of its money from conquests
  but eventually this revenue stopped because there
  were no more wealthy lands to conquer
• It was impossible for Rome to maintain its
  wealthy empire with so many economic problems and
  no matter what measures were implemented, the
  empire could not recover.

6
Historical Importance

• The fall of the Roman Empire is significant in
  many ways because it was the end of an era and of
  the worlds most powerful empire. Romes culture
  influenced the rest of Europe, but was also the
  base for Western culture. Even though Rome was
  gone, it left behind a changed Europe.
• Rome enriched the worlds culture with its
  distinctive architecture, and ground breaking
  ideologies. Many of their technologies were
  adapted and improved. Especially the Roman
  aqueducts, which were a more primitive form of
  infrastructure. The fall of this grand empire
  was the greatest event in ancient world history
  ( Taken from Meaghan Uyedes The Greatest Event
  in Ancient World History)

7
Discussion Questions.

• Out of the three primary reasons for the fall of
  Rome, which one do you think was the most
  responsible and why?
• Do you think that Romes downfall could have been
  prevented? How?
• After hearing our presentation, do you think that
  Rome was as great of a civilization as you
  originally thought it to be?

8
Bibliography

• Bradley, M. F. (1997). The Fall Of The Roman
  Empire. Oxford, London Journal Of Political
  Downfalls.
• Brunt, P. J. (1980). The Revenues Of Rome. New
  York, New York Yellow House Publishing.
• Brunt, P. L. (2001). The Economic Decline In
  Empires. Oxford, London Journal of Roman Studies
• Newman, Garfield. Echoes from the Past. Toronto,
  CA Patty Pappas, 2001.
• Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Constantine. 18 Mar.
  2006. 18 Mar. 2006 lt http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
  Constantine_I_28emperor29gt.
• Meaghan Uyedes. The Greatest Event in Ancient
  World History. 5/9/06