The Decline of the Roman Empire

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The Decline of the Roman Empire Powerpoint presentation created by Robert L. Martinez Primary content source: Prentice Hall World History Images as cited. usu.edu

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The Decline of the Roman Empire. Powerpoint presentation created by Robert L. Martinez Primary content source: Prentice Hall World History Images as cited. usu.edu. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of The Decline of the Roman Empire

Page 1: The Decline of the Roman Empire

The Decline of the Roman Empire

Powerpoint presentation created by Robert L. MartinezPrimary content source: Prentice Hall World HistoryImages as cited.

usu.edu

Page 2: The Decline of the Roman Empire

After the death of the emperor Marcus Aurelius in 180, the golden age of the Pax

Romana ended. For the next 100 years, political and economic turmoil rocked the

Roman empire.

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Page 3: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Again and again, emperors were overthrown by ambitious generals who seized power with the support of their troops. Those who rose to the imperial throne ruled for just a few months or

years until they, too, were overthrown or assassinated.

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Page 4: The Decline of the Roman Empire

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

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Page 5: The Decline of the Roman Empire

For centuries, Rome had faced attacks from the Germanic peoples who lived east of the Rhine and north of the Danube rivers. When Rome

was powerful, the legions on the frontiers were successful in holding back these invaders.

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Page 6: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Thousands of mile to the west, the Huns, a nomadic people, migrating across Central Asia,

reached eastern Europe. These skilled riders fought fierce battles to dislodge the Germanic

peoples in their path.

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Page 7: The Decline of the Roman Empire

With the empire in decline, Roman legions were hard pressed to halt the invading peoples. Under

pressure from attacks, the Roman empire surrendered first Britain, then France and Spain. It was only a matter of time before foreign invaders

marched into Italy and took over Rome itself.

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Page 8: The Decline of the Roman Empire

In 410, the Visigoth general Alaric overran Italy and plundered Rome. Meanwhile, the Vandals moved through Gaul and Spain into North Africa. Gradually, other

Germanic peoples occupied more and more of the western Roman empire.

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Page 9: The Decline of the Roman Empire

For Rome, the worst was yet to come. Starting in 434, the Hun leader Attila embarked on a savage campaign of conquest across much of Europe.

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Page 10: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Finally, in 476, Odoacer, a Germanic leader, ousted the emperor in Rome.

Later, the historians referred to that event as the “fall” of Rome.

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Page 11: The Decline of the Roman Empire

The passing of Rome’s power and greatness was a major turning point in the

history of western civilization. But why did the Roman empire fall?

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Page 12: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Perhaps the most obvious cause of Rome’s fall was the Germanic invasions. Still, these attacks were successful in part because Roman legions

lacked the discipline and training of past Roman armies.

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Page 13: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Political problems contributed to Rome’s decline. First, as the government became more

oppressive and authoritarian, it lost the support of the people. Growing numbers of

corrupt officials undermined loyalty, too. So did frequent civil wars over succession to the

imperial throne.

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Page 14: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Perhaps most important, dividing the empire at a time when it was under attack may have weakened it beyond repair. The richer eastern Roman empire did little to

support the west.

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Page 15: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Economic problems were widespread in the empire. Heavy taxes were required to support the vast government bureaucracy

and huge military establishment.

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Page 16: The Decline of the Roman Empire

Reliance on slave labor discouraged Romans from exploring new technology. The wealth of the

empire dwindled as farmers abandoned their land and the middle classes sank into poverty. In addition, the population declined as war and

epidemic diseases swept the empire.

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Page 17: The Decline of the Roman Empire

For centuries, worried Romans pointed to the decline in values such as patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty on which the empire was built. The need to replace citizen soldiers with

mercenaries testified to the decline of patriotism.

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Page 18: The Decline of the Roman Empire

The upper class, which had once provided leaders, devoted itself to luxury and self-interest.

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