Review: Fall of Rome

Overview: At the height of its power, the Roman Empire extended the Key Terms
benefits of its civilization to a 60 million citizens and subjects in a territory
that extended from Hadrian's Wall to the banks of the Euphrates. Even
under the rule of mad, bad and dangerous emperors, the imperial system 27 B.C.
proved to be robust, bolstered by the support of elite families in the far-
flung corners of the empire whose loyalty was ensured by a system of A.D. 330
cultural aspiration, economic opportunity and military coercion. So what
A.D. 410
went wrong?
A.D. 476
Key Questions
Tetrarchy
1) Why did Rome Fall? Consider the different types of causes:
Barbarians
Political, Economic, Military and Social.
Rise of Christianity
Increasing attacks by barbarians
Moral and cultural decay Battle of Milvian Bridge A.D. 312

Corrupt emperors (end of the republic) Emperor Augustus

Social hierarchy; gap between rich & poor (class conflicts and economic
problems) Emperor Constantine

Civil wars Emperor Diocletian

Rise of Christianity
Bread & Circuses
Over-Expansion of empire
Division of the empire into East and West Circus Maximus

How did these factors work together to bring down the empire? Primus Inter Pares (First Amongst Equals)

Were internal or external factors more to blame? Edict of Maximum Price

Were there different types of causes, such as underlying, long-term or
catalysts for change.
Were there turning points in the decline of the empire?
What are the debates amongst historians concerning why Rome fell?

Review: Fall of Rome 1