The Decline of the Roman Empire

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The Decline of the Roman Empire
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1. Romes Economy Declines

• During the Pax Romana Roman Peace
• Trade flourished
• Gold and silver taken from conquered
• territories added to Romes wealth
• Surplus of food with much grain coming in from
  the Roman province of Egypt

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Romes Economy Declines

• That all changed in the 3rd century A.D.
• 1.Trade was disrupted
• 2. Wars were frequent and a financial drain
• 3. Wealthy overspent on luxury items like silk
  from China
• 4. Gold and silver mines were depleted
• 5. No new sources of precious metals

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Romes Economy Declines

• In and effort to cover expenses the Roman
  Government decided to
• a. Raise TAXES
• b. Mint coins containing less silver
• This caused massive Inflation.

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Romes Economy Declines

• Food sources dwindled
• a. Western harvests meager due to
• overworked soil
• b. Farmland destroyed by warfare
• c. High taxes forced small farmers to
• give up their land
• d. Cheap slave labor discouraged
  technological
• improvements

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2. Rome Faces Military Upheaval

• Military crisis contributed to economic woes
• Roman armies were constantly at war
• with invaders, barbarians
• Use of mercenaries caused collapse in
• loyalty to the empire.

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3. Roman Politics

• 1. Incompetent Leadership
• 2 There was no clear rule for succession when
  an emperor died. This caused instability.

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The Empire Splits

• In the late 3rd century, the Empires life was
  prolonged by emperors who divided it.

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4. Invaders Overrun the Western Empire

• The Roman Empire had been in decline for many
  years. What were the reasons for the FINAL
  collapse in the year 476 AD?
• a. Internal problems
• b. Separation of West from East
• c. Invasions

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The Huns Move West

• German invasions were result of the Huns (from
  Asia) moving into Europe The Huns were already
  coming from the East but saw resistance in the
  Eastern Empire so decided to keep moving West

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Germanic Invasions

• Winter 406 Rhine River froze allowing
• barbarians to cross on ice.
• 410 Alaric crosses Alps to attack Rome. Rome
  recovers somewhat.
• 476- Odoacer sacks Rome for the final time.

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SUMMARY

• Economic, military, and political decay as well
  as outside invaders brought down the Western
  Roman empire. The Eastern half survived for
  another 1000 years as the Byzantine Empire with
  its capital of Constantinople (present day
  Istanbul Turkey)
• .