Chapter 6 Section 4 Notes
509 B.C.
264 B.C.
218 B.C.
44 B.C.
A.D. 284
A.D. 476
Ancient Rome and Early Christianity, 500 B.C. – A.D. 500 6
CHAPTER
Time Line
500 B.C. A.D. 500
HOME
Rome becomes a republic.
In the Second Punic War, Hannibal invades Italy.
Diocletian, who will divide the Roman Empire, becomes emperor.
The First Punic War with Carthage begins.
Conspirators kill Julius Caesar.
Western Roman Empire falls with the ouster of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus.
I. A Century of Crises
A. Rome’s Economy Declines
1. Gold and Silver began to slow from
conquered areas
2. There was not enough grain for all
peoples
3. Hostile tribes and pirates began to
disrupt trade
4. Wars and large amounts of soldiers began to strain the
treasury
5. The rich began to spend money on
luxury
6. Government begins to raise taxes
7. Inflation began
a. Drop in value of money and rise in prices of goods
B. Rome Faces Military Upheaval
1. Germanic tribes began to attack the
borders
2. Persia became a threat in Syria and
Anatolia
3. Discipline and loyalty to Rome began to fade to commanders in
army
C. Roman Politics Decay
1. Loyalty was a problem
2. Patriotism faded
3. People didn’t care about the Empires
fate
4. Local officials had to pay more and
more out of their own pockets
a. Fewer people chose to serve in the
government
5. Time period between 235 and 284 there were 25 emperors that died
violently
II. Emperors Attempt Reform ( Two Despots )
A. 284 Diocletian
1. Restored order by increasing size of
army
2. Limited personal freedoms
3. Drafted prisoners of war and hired
German mercenaries
4. Fixed prices on goods
5. Ordered people to stay in their jobs for
life
6. Persecuted Christians
7. Divided the Empire into two
parts
a. Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine
Empire)
1. Wealthier
2. Capitol at Byzantium
b. Western Roman Empire (Holy
Roman Empire)
1. Co ruler general Mazimian
B. Constantine Moves the Capitol
1. Renames the capitol in the east
from Byzantium to Constantinople
2. Declares Christianity the
official religion of the Eastern Empire
in 313
III. Invaders Overrun the
Western Empire
A. Since time of Julius Caesar
Germanic tribes were north of the
Danube River
B. By 376 to 476 large numbers threatened the
borders
C. Germanic Tribes included
1. Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Angles, Saxons,
Burgundians, Vandals and others
D. Huns were fierce Mongol nomads that forced the Germans
into the Roman Empire
1. Attila the Hun was their fierce
leader
2. He was finally defeated in 451 by a combined army of
Romans and Germans at the Battle of Chalon, Gaul
E. Rome’s last Latin ruler was 14 year
old Romulus Augustulus
F. Romulus was defeated by the German
King Odoacer in 476A.D. the date given
as the Fall of the Roman Empire