THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Pax Romana

THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Pax Romana (roman Peace) was a time of peace and progress in Rome. Nearly a century of confusion and violence followed.

I. Political Confusion • Government grows weak, army becomes powerful • Emperor paid wages to soldiers • Soldiers would turn against emperor • Urban decay- citizens no longer honored values of duty, courage, and honesty • Government corruption • Less focus on education, people refused to pay taxes

II. Economic Weaknesses • Roman soldiers and invaders disrupted trade routes, causing a shortage of food an increase of prices • Government produced more coins, reducing the value: INFLATION • As the value of Roman coins decreased, people began to barter or exchange goods instead of currency

Germanic Tribes III. Invasions • Germanic tribes invaded the western empire and Persian tribes invaded the eastern empire • Protective walls built • Government hired Germanic soldiers for protection, soldiers had no loyalty to government

IV. Who was Diocletian? facebook Name: Status: Date: Diocletian Emperor of Rome in A. D. 284 Reforms for Rome Activities: • Building forts • Dividing Rome into four parts • Ruling over Roman Empire • Setting maximum prices for wages and goods • Making workers remain at the same job until death • Making local officials responsible for unpaid taxes