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