Fall of Rome

Four major reasons

1. Political issues2. Social problems3. Economic trouble4. Military issues

Political issues• Since the end of Pax

Romana, Rome had years of civil war – why?– No authority for

emperor– Unqualified emperors

• Empire will get divided into Eastern Roman Empire, Western Roman Empire• Capital moved to

Byzantium

Why would dividing empire be such a big problem?

Economic trouble• Rome farm-based, but poor harvests– Land had been overworked

• Trade not great – trade routes disrupted by foreign armies

• High taxes – government desperate for money to pay armies

• Inflation – value of money drops– What does this mean?

• How could these help lead to the fall of Rome?

Social problems• Nobody proud to be Roman

anymore– Years of lousy rulers, not a whole

lot of good things led to people not caring about Rome like they used to

• Huge gap between rich and poor– Top 1% of population had 50% of

the money• Less people living in Rome –

disease, famine• Christianity – people more

devoted to religion than to Rome• Money to church, not to Empire

• How could this lead to fall of Rome?

Amount of Money in Rome

1% ofpopulationOther 99%

Military issues• Not enough soldiers– Rome had to use mercenaries – foreign soldiers paid

to fight for Rome• What’s the problem with this?• Tribes north of Rome began invading• Enemies made technological advances– Iron stirrup – allowed people to ride horseback while

wearing armor

• How could this lead to the fall of Rome?

Battle of Adrianople – 378 CE

Roman Army

Roman Army

Germanic Tribes and Families

Why is the fall of Rome a big deal?

• Controlled most of Europe for centuries• People of Europe don’t have anyone to

defend them, build their roads, provide laws• Rome a united empire, not city-states – why

does this matter?• Eastern Roman Empire will stay, Western

Rome falls in 476 CE• Eastern Roman Empire Byzantine Empire