Chapter 6 Section 4 Notes

509 B.C.

264 B.C.

218 B.C.

44 B.C.

A.D. 284

A.D. 476

Ancient Rome and Early Christianity, 500 B.C. – A.D. 500 6

CHAPTER

Time Line

500 B.C. A.D. 500

HOME

Rome becomes a republic.

In the Second Punic War, Hannibal invades Italy.

Diocletian, who will divide the Roman Empire, becomes emperor.

The First Punic War with Carthage begins.

Conspirators kill Julius Caesar.

Western Roman Empire falls with the ouster of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus.

I. A Century of Crises

A. Rome’s Economy Declines

1. Gold and Silver began to slow from

conquered areas

2. There was not enough grain for all

peoples

3. Hostile tribes and pirates began to

disrupt trade

4. Wars and large amounts of soldiers began to strain the

treasury

5. The rich began to spend money on

luxury

6. Government begins to raise taxes

7. Inflation began

a. Drop in value of money and rise in prices of goods

B. Rome Faces Military Upheaval

1. Germanic tribes began to attack the

borders

2. Persia became a threat in Syria and

Anatolia

3. Discipline and loyalty to Rome began to fade to commanders in

army

C. Roman Politics Decay

1. Loyalty was a problem

2. Patriotism faded

3. People didn’t care about the Empires

fate

4. Local officials had to pay more and

more out of their own pockets

a. Fewer people chose to serve in the

government

5. Time period between 235 and 284 there were 25 emperors that died

violently

II. Emperors Attempt Reform ( Two Despots )

A. 284 Diocletian

1. Restored order by increasing size of

army

2. Limited personal freedoms

3. Drafted prisoners of war and hired

German mercenaries

4. Fixed prices on goods

5. Ordered people to stay in their jobs for

life

6. Persecuted Christians

7. Divided the Empire into two

parts

a. Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine

Empire)

1. Wealthier

2. Capitol at Byzantium

b. Western Roman Empire (Holy

Roman Empire)

1. Co ruler general Mazimian

B. Constantine Moves the Capitol

1. Renames the capitol in the east

from Byzantium to Constantinople

2. Declares Christianity the

official religion of the Eastern Empire

in 313

III. Invaders Overrun the

Western Empire

A. Since time of Julius Caesar

Germanic tribes were north of the

Danube River

B. By 376 to 476 large numbers threatened the

borders

C. Germanic Tribes included

1. Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Angles, Saxons,

Burgundians, Vandals and others

D. Huns were fierce Mongol nomads that forced the Germans

into the Roman Empire

1. Attila the Hun was their fierce

leader

2. He was finally defeated in 451 by a combined army of

Romans and Germans at the Battle of Chalon, Gaul

E. Rome’s last Latin ruler was 14 year

old Romulus Augustulus

F. Romulus was defeated by the German

King Odoacer in 476A.D. the date given

as the Fall of the Roman Empire