Fall of Rome
Four major reasons
1. Political issues2. Social problems3. Economic trouble4. Military issues
Political issues• Since the end of Pax
Romana, Rome had years of civil war – why?– No authority for
emperor– Unqualified emperors
• Empire will get divided into Eastern Roman Empire, Western Roman Empire• Capital moved to
Byzantium
Why would dividing empire be such a big problem?
Economic trouble• Rome farm-based, but poor harvests– Land had been overworked
• Trade not great – trade routes disrupted by foreign armies
• High taxes – government desperate for money to pay armies
• Inflation – value of money drops– What does this mean?
• How could these help lead to the fall of Rome?
Social problems• Nobody proud to be Roman
anymore– Years of lousy rulers, not a whole
lot of good things led to people not caring about Rome like they used to
• Huge gap between rich and poor– Top 1% of population had 50% of
the money• Less people living in Rome –
disease, famine• Christianity – people more
devoted to religion than to Rome• Money to church, not to Empire
• How could this lead to fall of Rome?
Amount of Money in Rome
1% ofpopulationOther 99%
Military issues• Not enough soldiers– Rome had to use mercenaries – foreign soldiers paid
to fight for Rome• What’s the problem with this?• Tribes north of Rome began invading• Enemies made technological advances– Iron stirrup – allowed people to ride horseback while
wearing armor
• How could this lead to the fall of Rome?
Battle of Adrianople – 378 CE
Roman Army
Roman Army
Germanic Tribes and Families
Why is the fall of Rome a big deal?
• Controlled most of Europe for centuries• People of Europe don’t have anyone to
defend them, build their roads, provide laws• Rome a united empire, not city-states – why
does this matter?• Eastern Roman Empire will stay, Western
Rome falls in 476 CE• Eastern Roman Empire Byzantine Empire