Geography of the Roman Empire

Discussion Recall:What is the name of the sea that is prominently in the middle of the empire? (click to show)Which 3 continents did the empire expand?Predict: How will the size of the empire leave it vulnerable or weak?

The Mediterranean

Europe

Africa

Asia

The Empire grew too large to control Barbarians from the north (Germanic tribes)

continued to attack the vast empire The male citizens were needed in the army to

defend the empire. This meant that less people were farming, causing a food shortage.

Taxes grew higher to help pay for military defense.

Wealthy citizens began moving out of the city, creating their own estates.

The Roman Empire: Problems

Paraphrased from History Alive: The Medieval World & Beyond textbook

Diocletian feared the empire had grown

too big to control –He divided it into the Eastern and Western Empires.

Eastern: Ruled by

Diocletian Western:

Ruled by AppointedCo-Emperor

The Empire Divides!

Paraphrased from History Alive: The Medieval World & Beyond textbook

Power Moves to the East

The emperor Constantine –Made a capital in the east in what is now Turkey.

Located on the Bosphorus strait it was a fantastic middle ground for trading between Asia and Europe.

He named the new capital Constantinople after himself.

Paraphrased from History Alive: The Medieval World & Beyond textbook

Ten Theories for the Fall of Roman Empire

Excessive Military Spending to Defend the Empire.

Political CorruptionInteresting fact: Over a hundred year

span Rome had 37 emperors. 25 were assassinated. Many were assassinated at the hands of other aspiring leaders.

The Fall of Rome Inferior TechnologyFact: While the Romans were great

architects many of their ideas came from conquering lands. When the conquering stopped, so did new technology.

• Inflation-Interesting fact: Inflation got so bad that

eventually salaries had to be paid in food and clothing, and taxes were collected in fruits and vegetables!

The Fall of Rome UnemploymentInteresting Fact: Most farmers bought

slaves which put paid workers out of jobs. At one point the emperor was importing grain to feed over 100,000 unemployed people in Rome alone.

Urban DecayInteresting Fact: Most people lived in

apartments. The poorest lived at the top. People that could not pay rent were forced to live on crime infested streets.

The Fall of Rome

Decline in Morals and values

Interesting Fact: Gladiator fights were enjoyed by all classes even the emperor. Slaves could win his/her freedom if survived….At the end of each battle fresh sand was placed on the coliseum floor to cover the blood.

Rise in ChristianityFact: While eventually most of Europe will

become Christian at first small factions were breaking off, creating a lack of unity within the empire.

Youtube Video Clip: Gladiator Fight with

surprise ending

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtWu_QZznrg (4:30 min)

Video is moderately violent: Teachers use discretion according to your audience.

The Fall of Rome Environmental and

Public Health Problems Interesting Fact: While the aqueducts were very efficient even genius way to carry water to homes, in the end the water would be funneled through lead pipes which made people sick from lead poisoning.

Barbarian Invasions

Rome is Attacked! Barbarians Invade

the Roman Empire Huns (warriors from

Central Asia) invaded from southeastern Europe

Goths (Eastern tribes) who could not defeat the Huns and ran into Roman territory

Vandals (Germanic tribe from Northern Europe) invaded Gaul (France), Spain, and North Africa

The Empire in Chaos! Originally the

Romans paid the Goths not to attack.

When the Romans stopped the payments, the Goths destroyed Rome in 410.

During the 400’s, Roman Emperors were weak

and they feared the empire grew to big. In fact, they even gave away land so they could better protect their empire.

In 476 the empire collapsed at the hands of the GOTHS leaving no central leadership.

Europe will fall into a period of chaos. People will need to find a system of protection….enter…the FEUDAL ERA!

The End of the Western Empire