Decline of the Western Roman Empire Decline of

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Decline of the Western Roman Empire

Decline of the Western Roman Empire

Decline of the Western Roman Empire �Begins with reign of Commodus AD 192 �Lasts

Decline of the Western Roman Empire �Begins with reign of Commodus AD 192 �Lasts about 300 years �Three phases of decline

Three Phases of Decline � 3 rd Century Crisis �Revival and Division of East

Three Phases of Decline � 3 rd Century Crisis �Revival and Division of East and West �Invasions

3 rd Century Crisis c. AD 200 -300 �Economic �Political �Military

3 rd Century Crisis c. AD 200 -300 �Economic �Political �Military

Economic � Sources of prosperity dry up � Trade- more pirates on the Mediterranean

Economic � Sources of prosperity dry up � Trade- more pirates on the Mediterranean Sea and barbarians disrupting overland trade � Roman gold and silver leaving Empire to purchase luxury goods from the east (China, India, Arabia) causing trade deficit and inflation � Overuse of farmland causing decreased harvests

Inflation

Inflation

Political � Citizen loyalty decreases from Republican times � Political office no longer attractive.

Political � Citizen loyalty decreases from Republican times � Political office no longer attractive. Most lose money while holding office � Armies are heavily involved in politics, especially in the selection of the Emperor

Military � More losses to barbarians � Soldiers fight for money not patriotism. Soldiers

Military � More losses to barbarians � Soldiers fight for money not patriotism. Soldiers wages rise � More barbarians hired into army- less loyal

Revival and Division � Under Emperor Diocletian AD 284 � Doubled the size of

Revival and Division � Under Emperor Diocletian AD 284 � Doubled the size of army � Price and wage controls � Persecution of Christians � Increase prestige of Emperor- more like Persian Emperors � Division of Empire by East/West, Greek/Latin. One Emperor for each half. Diocletian takes eastern half

Invasions

Invasions

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