WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Celebrate Freedom ActivityFinish Video- I will do the

Notebook Check at this timeChristianity Worksheet

NotesHomework- Rome 4,5,6

The Long Decline

The Fall of Rome

Pax Romana (Latin for "Roman peace") was the long period of relative peace and minimal expansion by military force experienced by the Roman Empire in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Since it was established by Caesar Augustus it is sometimes called Pax Augusta. Its span was about 207 years (27 BC to 180 AD).Pax Romana Handout

Pax Romana

Many factors led to the fragmentation of Western Europe and the rise of feudalism including the disruption of trade which led to the collapse of businesses, the destruction of economic centers, and scarcity of money as a result of invasions, the downfall of cities as centers of administration, a shift to a rural population as Roman citizens abandoned the destroyed cities, a decline of learning since Germanic invaders could not read or write, the loss Latin as a common language , a change in the concept of government from one of loyalty to public government, and written law shifted to governance through unwritten laws and traditions.

Causes of the Fall of Rome p. 149-150

Fall of Rome

Econ

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Socia

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Germanic invasions 2.Weakened Roman legions

1. Oppressive government

& Corrupt officials2.Divided empire which weakened

The Decline and Fall of Rome

1.Heavy taxes

2.Population decline

After the death of the Emperor Marcuse Aurelius in 180, the golden age of the Pax Romana ended, and for the next 100 years Rome was in chaos

Roman Chaos

In one 50 year period, at least 26 emperors reigned, by seizing power with support of troops, only to rule for several months or a year.

Several Emperors

Political violence and instability, rather than order and efficiency thus became the rule

High taxes to support the army and the bureaucracy placed heavy burdens on business people and small farmers

Farmland that had been over cultivated for too many years lost its productivity

Roman Decline

In 284, the emperor Diocletian set out to restore order, by dividing the empire into two parts Western Empire & Eastern Empire

Diocletian attempted to increase the prestige of the emperor again by surrounding himself with elaborate ceremonies, wearing jewels and purple robes, and made people bow down to him

Diocletian also took steps to end the empire’s economic decay, by slowing inflation He fixed prices on goods.

Diocletian

Emperor Constantine takes power in the year 312 AD. He took two steps that changed the course of European HistoryStep 1 – Granted tolerance to

Christians Step 2 – Built new Capital

(Constantinople)

Constantine

Wars in Central Asia & famine caused the Huns to migrate across Central Asia

By 350 AD, the Huns reached eastern Europe, & forced the Germanic tribes south to Roman lands seeking safety

Under attack, the Roman empire surrendered first Britain, then France & Spain.

Impact of the Huns

In 378 AD, when the Roman army tried to turn back the Visigoths at Adrianople, it suffered a stunning defeat and Roman power was fading

In 410 AD, the Visigoth general Alaric overran Italy and plundered Rome

Starting in 434, the Hun leader Attila embarked on a savage campaign a of conquest across Europe

Rome Defeated

Christians referred to it as the “scourge of God” for the punish of sins

Attilla’s invasion forced Germanic Tribes south again into Roman Empire

In 476 AD Odoacer destroyed Rome and exiled the Last Emperor of Rome

Rome Defeated

Factors for both: corrupt governments in both empires, infighting among political elites, empires too large in areas to manage, invasions from hostile nomadic tribes, social inequality among the classes with tax burdens on lower classes, inequitable distribution of lands, decline in morals and values, public health and urban decay, and unemployment and inflation

Collapse of Rome and Han China

Golden Age of the Han• Significan

t cultural achievements during the Han Dynasty:

• Acupuncture

• Paper• Ship rudder• Fishing

reels• Wheel

barrows

Fall of the Han: by 220 CE the empire grew weak. Later emperors were incompetent, and their reigns were marked by corruption, immorality, and apathy. Some Confucian scholars declared that the Han Dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven. China was DIVIDED for nearly 400 YEARS(220 AD to 618 AD). History will repeat itself, within 300 years the great Roman Empire will crumble because of the same reasons.

Collapse of Rome and Han ChinaFactors for both:

corrupt governments in both empires

infighting among political elites

empires too large in areas to manage

invasions from hostile nomadic tribes

social inequality among the classes with tax burdens on lower classes

inequitable distribution of lands

decline in morals and valuespublic health and urban

decayunemployment and inflation

Persian provinces were administered by hereditary provincial governors (satraps)

Shi Huangdi – cracked down on Confucians to increase his power

Gupta impact of mathamaticsDeveloped the Arabic numberConcept of zero

Fall of the Han DynastyHigh taxesPolitical corruptionForeign invasion

Athenian democracy limited to only male Athenian citizens of legal voting age

ParthenonRomulus and Remus

Pantheon

Roman Forum Roman Colosseum

Aqueduct