The Giant Came Tumbling DownThe Decline and Fall of Rome
World History
Foreign invasions Germanic people
for centuries attacked the Romans some learned Roman way and became allies
Huns nomadic people fought fierce battles
Visigoths In 410 overran Italy and plundered Rome
Corrupt government Became more oppressive and authoritarian Lost support of the people Undermined loyalty Frequent civil wars
Political violence and instability Emperors were overthrown by ambitious generals
Division of the Empire Eastern part
controlled by Diocletian Fixed prices for goods and services Laws required sons to follow their father’s
occupations Made center of power by Constantine
Economy was revived
Division of Empire Western provinces
Ruled by co-emperor Diocletian had absolute power In 312 was in decline
Poverty and unemployment Farmers abandoned their land
High taxes Farmland over cultivated
Lost its productivity
War and epidemic diseases swept the empire Middle class sank to poverty
High taxes to support the army and the bureaucracy
Declining moral values Erosion of traditional values upper class
Devoted itself to luxury and self-interest
A. D. 476 – Roman Empire falls Odoacer (oh doh AY suhr)
A Germanic leader Ousted the emperor in Rome Historians referred to that event as the “fall” of
Rome