“In the second century of the Christian era, the Empire of Rome occupied

the fairest part of the earth, and the most civilized portion of mankind. . . .

The gentle but powerful influence of laws and manners had gradually

cemented the union of the provinces. Their peaceful inhabitants enjoyed

and abused the advantages of wealth and luxury. The image of a free

constitution was preserved with decent reverence . . . During a happy period

(A.D. 98-180) of more than fourscore years, the public administration was

conducted by the virtue and abilities of several emperors. It is the purpose

of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous

condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus

Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and

fall -- a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the

nations of the earth."

-- adapted from Edward Gibbon,

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Chapter 1

How Does the Roman Empire

Weaken and Collapse in the

West?

How Does the Roman Empire

Weaken and “Collapse” in the

West?

Pax Romana (31 BCE – 180 CE)

• Augustus rules Rome from 31 BCE to 14 CE.

• Augustus’ power rested entirely with the army.

• More territories come under Rome’s control, roads are paved, citizenship is granted to more people.

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The Splitting of Rome • From 180 to 284 CE, the Roman Empire is

becoming unstable.

• Emperors used mass entertainment to try and distract the people – “Bread and circuses”.

• But the division between rich and poor is too great.

• In 284, Emperor Diocletian splits the Empire between the East and the West.

• Diocletian is often called “The Restorer of Rome.”

Attila the Hun

• Problems in Asia caused the Huns, a group of nomads, to move across Asia into Europe.

• The Huns were skilled fighters and fairly frightening.

• People in their paths tried to flee.

• By 434 CE, Attila had launched a full invasion of Europe.

• Attila became known as the Scourge of G-d.

• The only thing that stopped his advance was his death in 453.

• In 476, a Germanic leader overthrew the Roman emperor in the West and this event is often called “The Fall of Rome”.