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THE DECLINE OF ROME Lesson 2

Guiding Question ◦What problems led to Rome’s decline?

Political Confusion ◦ At this time, Rome’s government grew weak ◦ At the same time, their army became very powerful. ◦ To stay in power, an emperor had to pay very high wages to his soldiers. ◦ If they could not pay, the army would kill the emperor. ◦ From 234 AD to 284 AD, Rome had 22 different rulers.

Change in Society ◦ Roman society also suffered during this time. ◦ Traditional values like courage and honesty were no longer honored. ◦ Government officials took bribes. ◦ The most intelligent people refused to take government jobs. ◦ Support for education declined.

Economic Weakness ◦ Because of farms and traders being attacked, Rome’s economy became ruined. ◦ Prices for food inflated by thousands because of the food shortage. ◦ Since no one could afford food and money was useless, many Romans went back to bartering

Diocletian ◦ A new Roman general named Diocletian (Dye-uh-KLEEShun) introduced reforms, or political changes, to make things better. ◦ He built large forts to protect Rome. ◦ He split Rome’s empire into four parts and ruled all four himself. ◦ He set maximum prices for things so that inflation would stop. ◦ However, the people ignored his reforms, and Diocletian

Constantine ◦ Constantine was the next emperor after Diocletian. ◦ He liked Diocletian’s reforms and decided to enforce them. ◦ Even with the reforms, Rome continued to decline. ◦ Constantine moved the capital from the city of Rome to a Greek city he called Constantinople.

Theodosius ◦ After Constantine was Theodosius. ◦ Theodosius found it too difficult to govern the large empire of Rome. ◦ He split Rome into two separate empires – Western Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire. ◦ Western Roman Empire’s capital was the city of Rome. ◦ Eastern Roman Empire’s capital was the city of Constantinople.

Invaders ◦ Seeing Rome declining, many empires invaded both Roman empires. ◦ Germans, the Huns, the Visigoths, and the Vandals all attacked Rome in the next 150 years. ◦ Eventually the Germans took control of many high posts in Rome’s empire and eventually one German took over as Emperor.

End of the Western Roman Empire ◦ From that point on, no Roman ever ruled again from Rome. ◦ This event is known as the end of the Western Roman Empire. ◦ Meanwhile, Eastern Roman Empire thrived. ◦ It became known as the Byzantine Empire and it lasted nearly 1, 000 years.

Rome’s Legacies ◦ The influence of the ancient Romans still surrounds us. ◦ Law and Government ideas that came from Rome: ◦ Everyone is equal under the law ◦ Everyone is innocent until proven guilty ◦ We allow judges to decide cases fairly and without bias. ◦ Citizens should elect their leaders

Rome’s Legacies ◦ Cultural ideas that came from Rome: ◦ Many languages came from Latin which is the language the Romans made common ◦ Many of the architecture and construction styles we use came from Rome ◦ Concrete was invented in Rome ◦ Christianity was invented in Rome