Pyramid of Power

The Fall of Rome

Rome ruled much of Europe around the Mediterranean for over 1000 years. However, the inner workings of the Roman Empire began to decline starting around 200 AD. By 400 AD Rome was struggling under the weight of its giant empire. The city of Rome finally fell in 476 AD. 

The Peak of Roman Power 

Rome reached its peak of power in the 2nd century around the year 117 AD under the rule of the great Roman emperor Trajan. Virtually all of the coastline along the Mediterranean Sea was part of the Roman Empire. This included Spain, Italy, France, southern Britain, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, and northern Africa. 

Gradual Decline 

The Fall of Rome didn't happen in a day, it happened over a long period of time. There are a number of reasons why the empire began to fail. Here are some of the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire:

• The politicians and rulers of Rome became more and more corrupt
• Infighting and civil wars within the Empire
• Attacks from barbarian tribes outside of the empire such as the Visigoths, Huns, Franks, and Vandals.
• The Roman army was no longer a dominant force
• The empire became so large it was difficult to govern

Rome Divides into Two 

In 285 AD, Emperor Diocletian decided that the Roman Empire was too big to manage. He divided the Empire into two parts, the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire. Over the next hundred years or so, Rome would be reunited, split into three parts, and split in two again. Finally, in 395 AD, the empire was split into two for good. The Western Empire was ruled by Rome, the Eastern Empire was ruled by Constantinople. 

Map of the Eastern and Western Roman Empire right before the fall

The "fall" of Rome discussed here is referring to the Western Roman Empire which was ruled by Rome. The Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantium Empire and remained in power for another 1000 years. 

The City of Rome is Sacked 

The city of Rome was thought by many to be unconquerable. However, in 410 AD, a Germanic barbarian tribe called the Visigoths invaded the city. They looted the treasures, killed and enslaved many Romans, and destroyed many buildings. This was the first time in 800 years that the city of Rome had been sacked. 

Rome Falls 

In 476 AD, a Germanic barbarian by the name of Odoacer took control of Rome. He became king of Italy and forced the last emperor of Rome, Romulus Augustulus, to give up his crown. Many historians consider this to be the end of the Roman Empire. 

The Dark Ages Begins 

With the fall of Rome, many changes occurred throughout Europe. Rome had provided a strong government, education, and culture. Now much of Europe fell into barbarianism. The next 500 years would be known as the Dark Ages of Europe. 

Interesting Facts about the Fall of Rome

• The Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium, fell in 1453 to the Ottoman Empire.
• Many poor people were glad to see Rome fall. They were starving to death while being taxed heavily by Rome.
• Near the end of the Roman Empire, the city of Rome was no longer the capital. The city of Mediolanum (now Milan) was capital for a while. Later, the capital was moved to Ravenna.
• Rome was sacked once again in 455 AD by Geiseric, King of the Vandals. The Vandals were an Eastern Germanic tribe. The term "vandalism" comes from the Vandals.

http://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_rome/fall_of_rome.php

Answer in your blog book:

1.What caused Rome to decline and eventually fall?

2.What period of history began after the fall of Rome?

Reasons For the Decline of Ancient Rome

Rome - Kingdom, Republic and Empire together - lasted about 1200 years.  Rome ruled all around the Mediterranean and large sections of Europe and Southwest Asia.  Yet in the end, the problems grew too great and the Western Roman Empire fell.

                                   Why did the empire fall apart?  

There is no one single reason, but a series of problems that grew too large to solve. 

1. The empire grew too large to govern.  The Romans tried to solve this by dividing the empire.  

2. The Romans no longer wanted to serve in the army.  The Romans tried to solve this by hiring barbarians to fight for them.  

3,Civil wars broke out in Rome between different factions.  

4.The rich grew disinterested in helping Rome and only wanted more for themselves and their families.  

5.The population of Rome shrank.  

6.Trade decreased while taxes and prices increased.  The poor were overtaxed.  

7.The use of slaves put people out of work. 

The Romans were aware of these problems and sometimes, under a good emperor, they would work on them for a while.  In time, the good emperor would be gone and a bad one would take his place.  Soon the problems in the Western Roman Empire grew so great that the Western (European) Roman empire fell to barbarian tribes in Europe. 

In Europe there were five major barbarian tribes - the Huns, Franks, Vandals, Saxons, and Visigoths (Goths) - and all of them hated Rome.  Each of the barbarian tribes wanted to destroy Rome.  The Barbarians were destroying Roman towns and cities in the outer regions of the empire.   The only reason that they had not destroyed Rome yet was they spent almost as much time fighting each other as they did Rome.  

The Eastern Roman empire continued another 1000 years.

Rome Falls 

In 476 AD, a Germanic barbarian by the name of Odoacer took control of Rome. He became king of Italy and forced the last emperor of Rome, Romulus Augustulus, to give up his crown. Many historians consider this to be the end of the Roman Empire.

Expansion of Ancient Rome

• Red = Roman republic 510BC-40BC
• Purple = Roman Empire 20AD-360AD
• Blue = Western Roman Empire 405AD-480AD
• Green = Eastern Roman Empire 405AD-480AD

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Republic_Empire_map_fast.gif

Gladiators Rise and Fall