the fall of the roman empire
DESCRIPTION
The Fall of the Roman Empire. Factors of the Decline. Weakened economy a. Reached the limits of expansion b . Lacked resources of gold and silver c . Hostile tribes outside the boundaries of the empire and pirates disrupted trade d . Agriculture became less profitable (overworked soil). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Fall of the Roman
Empire
Factors of the Decline
1. Weakened economy
a. Reached the limits of expansion
b. Lacked resources of gold and silver
c. Hostile tribes outside the boundaries of the empire and pirates disrupted trade
d. Agriculture became less profitable (overworked soil)
Factors of the Decline
Military and Political Turmoil
1. By third century A.D., Roman soldiers in general had become less disciplined and loyal
2. Patriotism waned as mercenaries were hired
Factors of the Decline
Diocletian
1. Absolute ruler (claimed sacred ancestry)
2. Divides the Roman empire into two halves (Latin and Greek languages)
3. Trivia: Which half spoke which language?
Factors of the Decline
Constantine
Constantine takes control of the western half of the empire in 312 A.D.
By 324 A.D., Constantine also secures control of the East, restoring the concept of a single ruler
Constantine
In 330 A.D., Constantine moves the capital from Rome to the Greek city of Byzantium
Becomes ‘Constantinople’ Trivia: What is the current name of the
former Constantinople?
A Mosque in Constantinople?