Aim Was the decline of the Western Roman

Aim: Was the decline of the Western Roman Empire preventable? Do Now: You are a Roman Emperor in 400 CE. There is corruption in the government, a poor economy, a weakening army, and barbarians! Is there anything you can do to prevent the fall of your empire?

I Crazy Emperors Caligula (Ruled 37 – 41 CE) "Incitatus [Caligula’s horse] owned a marble stable, an ivory stall, and a jeweled collar; also a house, furniture, and slaves - to provide suitable entertainment for guests whom Caligula invited in its name. It is said that he even planned to award Incitatus a consulship. - Suetonius Nero (Ruled 54 – 68 CE) He tried to murder his mother only 5 times. “…those people called Christians… they were killed by dogs by having the hides of beasts attached to them, or they were nailed to crosses or set aflame, and, when the daylight passed away, they were used as nighttime lamps. ” Tacitus

Calligula and his Horse Nero and his Mother

II Diocletian Divided Rome in Half 284 CE Emperor Diocletian divided the Roman Empire into 2 halves to make it easier to rule. Rome remained the capital of the Western Empire, and Constantinople became the capital of the East. The West spoke Latin, while the East spoke Greek. The Empire was no longer unified. Emperor Diocletian Emperor Constantine

III Rome Became Christian A) Early Christians were persecuted by Romans. However, Christianity continued to spread as it promised heaven in the afterlife. B) 312 CE Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome. C) Problem for Rome: Christians are loyal first to God, not the Emperor.

IV Economic Problems A) As the Roman Empire grew in size, the government needed to spend more money to defend its borders more money was minted inflation decline in trade. B) The gap between the patricians and the plebeians widened. Inflation is an increase in the price of goods, due to the decreased value of money.

V Military Problems A) Members of the military, including the Praetorian Guard (who protected the Emperor) often plotted against the Emperor. Between 235 and 284 CE, 26 Emperors were assassinated! B) As the Empire grew in size, it needed more soldiers. When there were not enough, Rome hired German mercenaries. Blackwater Worldwide was a mercenary contract company hired by the US during the post 9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

VI Lead Poisoning and Malaria A) Lead pots and pipes were common. Lead poisoning low birth rates, anemia and aggressive behavior. B) Trade spread malaria in the 5 th c. CE.

VII Barbarian Invasions

Barbarian Invasions Continued… A) 4 th c. CE the Huns from Central Asia pushed west and drove many Germanic tribes closer to Rome. Many “barbarians” were absorbed into the empire. B) 476 CE Germanic leader Odoacer deposed the last Western Emperor Romulus Augustulus when he wouldn’t pay his mercenaries. No Roman emperor would ever again rule from Rome. Was 476 truly the end of the Western Roman Empire? Odoacer 433 - 493 CE

VIII … But Rome Continued in the East! After the fall of Western Rome in 476 CE, Eastern Rome (the Byzantine Empire) survived almost another 1000 years!

Key Vocabulary ü Barbarians ü Byzantine Empire ü Constantinople ü Diocletian ü Huns ü Inflation ü Malaria ü Mercenary ü Middle Ages ü Odoacer ü Patricians ü Plebeians ü Praetorian Guard