The Disentegration of Rome’s Empire

From Commodus to Romulus Augustulus180-476

The Julian-Claudian Dynasty: Poisoned; Stabbed; Poisoned; Suicide

Tiberius

r 14-37

Caligula

r 37-41

Claudius r 41-54

Nero r 54-68

Emperor Nerva r 96-98

• He initiated the adoptive system to provide for competent rulers

The Five Good Emperors:

• Nerva, 96-98

• Trajan, 98-117

• Hadrian, 117-138

• Antoninus Pius, 131-161

• Marcus Aurelius, 161-180

The Empire at its height, c 250

Commodus r 180-192

• His rule was one of debauchery, paranoia and insanity

• Had Rome renamed as colonia Commodiana

• Believed he was Hercules reborn

• Most infamous act: slaughtered physically handicapped people dressed up as mythical enemies of the gods

The Crisis of the 3rd Century Anarchy and Disorder:

• From 235-285, there were 26 Soldier Emperors, 25 of whom died violent deaths

• Referred to as “Barracks emperors” their power was derived from the military which sold itself to the highest bidder. [Thank you Marius!!!]

• Military mutinies, civil wars and exploitation of t replaced protection of the borders.

Signs of trouble:

• Internal unrest – poor, slaves, Gaul, Egypt & Judea

• Largephysical empire- slow transportation and communications

• Landed nobility squandered wealth

• Manual labor seen as degrading

• Little incentive for innovation -10 million slaves

• Govt kept grain prices low

• Erosion of independent farmers accelerated

• Overgrazing and Deforestation

• Tide of rationalism gave way to mystery religions

Two Emperors who tried to contain the awesome forces of disintegration:

• Diocletian (285-305) and Constantine (306-337) Both faced the problem of threats to the borders from the Germanic tribes and from Persia.

• They also had to deal with the on-going, internal economic crises that was eroding the high standard of living which had characterized the Pax Romana

Diocletian (285-305)

• To insure production of goods, farmers, artisans and unskilled workers had reside in their present location, hold their job for life and pass it on to their children

• Fixed prices on all goods, grown or manufactured

Diocletian, The Tetrarchy, 285-305

Constantine, 306-337

United the Empire under his rule

First emperor to embrace Christianity – Milvian Bridge conversion

In 324, Constantine moves East

The Germanic Tribes c. 362

Battle of Adrianople, 378

• Rome faced its worst defeat since the Battle of Cannae (Hannibal)

• The Emperor Valens was captured and killed The Goth cavalry was superior over the Roman

foot soldiers

• Significance: Rome could no longer secure its borders against new tactics of warfare

Theodosius, 379-385 The last Emperor who could claim to rule both East and West. Upon his death, the empire was divided between his two sons, Arcadius (East) and Honorius (West)

End of an Empire: 476

Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor was deposed by a German chieftain named Odovacer who claimed the western crown for himself.

Rome’s last gasps… Theodoric the Great 489-526

After killing Odovacer ….an Ostrogoth king ruled Italy from Rome…Theodoric.

• His rule was enlightened, peaceful and just- praised by Romans & barbarians.

• Retained the Roman Senate, civil service and schools. Old, aristocratic families still held high positions in the government

The real end of Rome… Germanic leader named Totila

• By 544 Totila had established control of northern Italy at Ravenna.

• In 546, his Gothic army sacked Rome, destroying baths, sewers, aqueducts, temples and government buildings.