1) What were Rome's Problems? + Political, Social, Economic, and Miltary proplems
When Marcus Aurelius died in 180, his son became emperor. Commodus was a cruel, wasteful of money, and a foolish emperor. In his time as emperor he pretended to be a Gladiator, but died by his bodyguards. Many years of confusion and fighting happened after his death. But a group of emperors called the Severan dynasty. They focused on the empire land, but ignored problems.
When the last Severan ruler died in 235, the government became weak. For 50 years army generals fought each other for the throne. During this time 22 different emperors. leading the empire, with poor leadership. When time dragged on fewer and fewer romans honored the old ideals of Duty, Courage, and Honesty. Some government officials took Brides just to get by. People in rome began to refuse to do there duties. Talented people refuse to serve in the government, wealthy people began to stop paying taxes, people stop attending school, and many people became slaves. During the 200's the Economy began to weakened, law and order broke down as well. Roman Soldiers and invaders stole crops and destroyed fields, which lead to farmers producing less food. As the economy become weaker people brought fewer goods which equal to people working less and earned less, then finally many businesses closed. Many people lost there jobs and served in the army. Without much money the government couldn't protect rome because people didn't pay as much tax. The government began to put less gold to produce more coins. The coins now had less value which lead to an inflation and people stop using money altogether. People traded goods or Barter between people. In the west the empire was being invaded by the Germanic tribes and in the east rome was being invaded by armies from Persia. As Fighting increase, the government could no longer pay there soldiers. To protect there empire the government began using Germanic mercenaries, but these soldiers were not loyal. |
2) What changes did Diocletian + Constantine make ?
In 284 a general named Diocletian became emperor and he made a Political change to stop the decline of rome. He divided rome into 4 parts because he believed that the empire was to big for one person to rule. He named officials to rule these areas in shape. He also tried to slowdown inflation by setting a price on goods and a set wage for everyone. He also made people work the same job in till death. But this all failed, the people just simply ignored this and Diocletian didn't have enough power.
Diocletian retired in 305 and conflict happened right after. Another general named Constantine became emperor in 312. He also believed that he can aid the economy by issuing several orders. He ordered that the son's should follow there father's trade like a farmer's son WILL be a farmer. These changes didn't halt the empire's decline in the west. Constantine moved the capital from Rome into a city called Byzantium. There he built a Forum, an Amphitheater called a Hippodrome, and many Palaces. The city now became as Constantinople, but today its called Istanbul. |
3) Who Invaded Rome + why does it Fail?
Both Diocletian and Constantine failed to save the empire and when Constantine died in 337 fighting over the throne broke our AGAIN. Then a new emperor named Theodosius tried to save the empire. He thought ruling a empire was difficult, so he divided the empire into two parts in 395 after his death. One part was the western side with the capital in rome and the eastern side with the capital at Constantinople.
When rome began declining, rome couldn't protect there borders from the Germanic tribe in the north. Different Germanic groups exist. There is the Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Angles, and Saxons. These tribes came from northern forest and marshes in search of warmer climates and better land for cattle. They were drawn by rome's wealth and culture. The Germanic tribes were fleeing the Hums warriors from Mongolia Asia. The Hums entered Eastern Europe defeating the Ostrogoths, and the Visigoths asked the Eastern Roman Emperor for Protection. The Emperor at the time agreed to this and let the settle in Roman Territory, but they must be loyal to the Rome. Shortly after trouble broke out between Visigoths and Rome. The empire forced the Visigoths the pay VERY HIGH price and forced them to become slave. The Visigoth rebelled, and defeated Roman Legions in 378 at The Battle of Adrianople. Rome was forced to hand over land to the Visigoths, and other Germanic lands knew that rome can no longer defend themselves. Rome was invaded by more and more Germanic tribes in search of land. The Germanic Tribes also invade Gual during the winter because the Rhine river. The Roman's were too WEAK to do anything about it. In 410 Rome was conquered by the leader and soldiers of the Visigoth. They enslaved some romans, looted treasury, and burned records.This was the 1ST time Rome was conquered in 800 Years. THEN in 455 a Germanic group called Vandal sailed into Italy. The Vandals spent 12 days destroying anything Valuable and BURN IT. (FUN FACT: The word Vandalism comes from what the Vandals did to Italy. This means "Willful Destruction of Property" By the mid-400s Germanic leaders held the most powerful posts in Government and Army. In 476 Odoacer, a Germanic general, overthrew the western emperor, a 14 year old boy named Romulus Augustulus, and NO NEW Roman emperors followed Odoacer. This Marked the end of the Western Roman Empire. Odoacer ruled over rome for 15 Years in till he was sized and killed by a group of Visigoth. The group of Visigoth created a new kingdom under there leader Theodoric, and throughout Europe other Germanic kingdoms arose. By 550 the Western Roman Empire Officially faded away, However roman beliefs and practices remained. The new Germanic rulers adopted the latin language, Roman laws, and Christianity. Although the western empire ended, however the Eastern empire prospered. This became the Byzantine Empire for 1,000 more years. |
4) What was Rome's Legacy? + Government, Religion, and Culture
Without Roman influences, our world will be completely different. Without rome our language and government won't be the same. Also out system of laws and knowledge came from rome. Even Christianity won't exist without romans.
The English language was some what inspired by the latin language and have some word origins from latin. Latin is 26 letters and shaped different languages such as France, Spain,Italy, and so on. EVERY know living organism has a scientific latin name. Also ancient rome left a lasting mark in Buildings in the Western World. It is shown in Capital Buildings where we still use Concrete, Domes, and Arches to make the building unique. Even common houses use a cement foundation. Christianity is one of the World's major religions today. Christianity all stated during the Roman Empire and rome helped it grow. The government adopted the religion in 300's , and this help Christianity Grow and Spread. After Rome's fall, some roman ideas mixed into Christianity. Those who believe in god somewhat follow roman ideas. |