Ancient Rome:

1
Ancient Rome

• The Fall of the Roman Empire

2
Second Century CE

• After Hadrian came a succession of emperors, both
  good and bad.
• Diocletian became emperor in 284 CE.
• Considered himself above all laws.
• Spread armies along the frontiers and among the
  provinces in order to quell any internal
  disturbances.
• Continual and significant recruitment of
  non-Roman, Germanic immigrants.

3
More Changes

• Attempted to eradicate the Christian faith by
  burning churches and scriptures.
• Told to sacrifice to Diocletian or die.
• Many Christians became martyrs for their faith.
• Constantine
• Emperor after Diocletian.
• The first Christian emperor.
• Issued the Edict of Milan in 313 CE that freed
  all Christians from persecution.

4
Constantine

• Established a capital in the Eastern Empire known
  as Constantines City or Constantinople (modern
  Turkey).
• In 359 CE given same authority as Rome.
• Increased taxes to supply armies.
• Allowed German tribesmen to enlist in Roman army
  (mercenaries).

5
Theodosius the Great

• The last Roman emperor to rule before empire was
  divided.
• Permitted the Visigoths (German tribe) to seek
  safety from the Huns (Asia) in the Roman Empire.
• Visigoths became powerful in army.
• Romans sent army against them, but were defeated.
• 393 CE - banned all pagan worship and had pagan
  temples closed.
• Even banned the Olympic games because they
  honoured a pagan god.

6
Division

• After Theodosius, empire divided in the Eastern
  Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire.
• There were now two senior emperors, called
  Augusti, for each division.
• German generals ruled the western part.
• 476 CE Odacer (German) overthrew last Roman
  emperor (Romulus Augustulus) and proclaimed
  himself ruler of Rome
• 1200 years after Rome was founded.
• Eastern empire lasted another 1000 years

7
Barbarians

• The last years of the Western Roman Empire were
  marked by migrations of barbarians from the
  north.
• Goths (Visigoths and Ostrogoths)
• Alans
• Franks
• Suebi
• Vandals
• Huns
• Rome had to learn how to accommodate and settle
  them.

8
Main Factors in Romes Fall

• Mercenaries hired soldiers from other lands
  whose loyalty was questionable.
• Money
• Government followed no orderly pattern.
• Moral standards declined corruption and
  favouritism in government.

9
Money Problems

• Money was not circulating.
• Those who had it were hoarding it.
• When the barbarians invaded they stole the money
  in the treasury.
• Trade deficit - importing more goods than they
  were exporting.
• Inflation - the price of goods was increasing.
• Tried to reform this by creating a law that
  established maximum prices and wages.
• Couldnt finance the empire.
• Couldnt get money through taxes because the
  people had no money.