The Decline of RomeThe Decline of Rome

The Late Empire, Its The Late Empire, Its Challenges, and the Emperors Challenges, and the Emperors

that Pulled it Downthat Pulled it Down

Pax RomanaPax Romana Augustus is the end of the Republic and the beginning of Augustus is the end of the Republic and the beginning of

the Pax Romanathe Pax Romana The world had never seen such a long period of peace, The world had never seen such a long period of peace,

order, effective organization, cultural diffusion, and order, effective organization, cultural diffusion, and prosperityprosperity

The Julio-Claudians (14-68 AD) were marked by The Julio-Claudians (14-68 AD) were marked by corruption, conspiracies, decadence, and straight-up corruption, conspiracies, decadence, and straight-up lunacy, but they maintained the essence of Augustus’ lunacy, but they maintained the essence of Augustus’ achievementsachievements

The Flavians got off to a good start but started to lose The Flavians got off to a good start but started to lose controlcontrol• Built the coliseumBuilt the coliseum• Destroyed the temple at JerusalemDestroyed the temple at Jerusalem• Domitian assassinated leading Romans and was himself Domitian assassinated leading Romans and was himself

assassinatedassassinated The “5 good emperors” led Rome through it pinnacleThe “5 good emperors” led Rome through it pinnacle The Pax Romana was a “Time of Happiness” and Rome’ The Pax Romana was a “Time of Happiness” and Rome’

mission was fulfilled: to create a world-state without mission was fulfilled: to create a world-state without needless fighting and excessive use of military forceneedless fighting and excessive use of military force

““Time of Happiness”Time of Happiness” Constructive rule- Romans were tremendous Constructive rule- Romans were tremendous

engineersengineers• Built 53,000 miles of roads from Scotland to the EuphratesBuilt 53,000 miles of roads from Scotland to the Euphrates• Goods were carried through a sea that was safe from Goods were carried through a sea that was safe from

piratespirates• A stable currency kept a thriving economyA stable currency kept a thriving economy• Citizenship extended to almost everyone after 212 A.D.Citizenship extended to almost everyone after 212 A.D.

Improvements for Slaves and WomenImprovements for Slaves and Women• Freeing slaves became common and less conquests meant Freeing slaves became common and less conquests meant

less slaveryless slavery• Status of women also improved during this timeStatus of women also improved during this time

An orderly world community-An orderly world community-• Romans solved the problems of the Greek city-state: civil Romans solved the problems of the Greek city-state: civil

war, intercity warfare, attitude the divided Greeks from non-war, intercity warfare, attitude the divided Greeks from non-GreeksGreeks

• The world community was global- it preserved the Greco-The world community was global- it preserved the Greco-Roman culture but broke down the barriers between nationsRoman culture but broke down the barriers between nations

Universalism and cosmopolitanismUniversalism and cosmopolitanism

Roman Culture in the Late EmpireRoman Culture in the Late Empire Literature and HistoryLiterature and History

• Virgil’s Virgil’s Aeneid- Aeneid- National glory- religion, civic pride, familyNational glory- religion, civic pride, family• Livy’s Livy’s History of Rome-History of Rome- Glorified Rome Glorified Rome• Horace- joy of wine, value of moderation, beauty of friendshipHorace- joy of wine, value of moderation, beauty of friendship• Ovid- romance and humorOvid- romance and humor• Tacitus- denounced roman emperors and imperialismTacitus- denounced roman emperors and imperialism• Juvenal- attacked evils of Roman societyJuvenal- attacked evils of Roman society

PhilosophyPhilosophy• Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius- stoics who saw the Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius- stoics who saw the

universe as governed by reasonuniverse as governed by reason• The gap between Greek philosophy and Christianity was The gap between Greek philosophy and Christianity was

narrowingnarrowing ScienceScience

• Ptolemy- geocentric theory- math, geometry, astronomyPtolemy- geocentric theory- math, geometry, astronomy• Galen- dissection, medicineGalen- dissection, medicine

Roman EntertainmentRoman Entertainment

Rome presents a paradox here because Rome presents a paradox here because they had a high standard of civilization yet they had a high standard of civilization yet their entertainment was barbarictheir entertainment was barbaric• Battles to deathBattles to death• Animal fights (ex. tigers and elephants)Animal fights (ex. tigers and elephants)• Animals tore apart men dressed in animal skinAnimals tore apart men dressed in animal skin• Women fightingWomen fighting• Dwarfs fightingDwarfs fighting

Few questioned the barbarismFew questioned the barbarism

Trouble on the HorizonTrouble on the Horizon

Uprisings in Egypt, Gaul, and JudeaUprisings in Egypt, Gaul, and Judea Native loyalties begin to emergeNative loyalties begin to emerge The economy had problems too- only The economy had problems too- only

a small portion of the population was a small portion of the population was reaping the benefits of the empirereaping the benefits of the empire

Bread and Circus kept the rest quietBread and Circus kept the rest quiet• Discontent was growing as the economic Discontent was growing as the economic

and cultural gap increasedand cultural gap increased

A Spiritual AwakeningA Spiritual Awakening Spiritual stagnation- a change in values marked a Spiritual stagnation- a change in values marked a

decline in the Greco-Roman worlddecline in the Greco-Roman world The value of humanism was challenged by The value of humanism was challenged by

mythic-religious movementsmythic-religious movements Greek rationalism never completely subdued the Greek rationalism never completely subdued the

influence of mythic-religious mentalityinfluence of mythic-religious mentality Religious cults promised immortality and the Religious cults promised immortality and the

proliferation of these cults is an expression of the proliferation of these cults is an expression of the transformation of classical valuestransformation of classical values

Like mystery religions looked for something Like mystery religions looked for something beyond this worldbeyond this world

Neo-PlatonismNeo-Platonism Replaced stoicism and transcended reasonReplaced stoicism and transcended reason Subordinated reason to mysticismSubordinated reason to mysticism Plotinus (205-270)- most influential neo-Platonist Plotinus (205-270)- most influential neo-Platonist

• Retained elements of Plato's rationalism but was Retained elements of Plato's rationalism but was intrigued by Plato’s otherworldliness intrigued by Plato’s otherworldliness

• He desired union with the One, or the Good- sometimes He desired union with the One, or the Good- sometimes called Godcalled God

• He believed that the One transcended all human He believed that the One transcended all human knowledge and required a mystical leap knowledge and required a mystical leap

• Purification of the soulPurification of the soul Mystery religions intoxicated the masses and Mystery religions intoxicated the masses and

classical civilization was being transformedclassical civilization was being transformed• Quest for the divineQuest for the divine

The DeclineThe Decline The 3The 3rdrd century brought crises century brought crises Degeneration of the armyDegeneration of the army

• Soldiers waged war on civilians for lootSoldiers waged war on civilians for loot• They made and unmade emperorsThey made and unmade emperors

Germanic people took advantage of the Germanic people took advantage of the weakened military and crossed the Rhine-weakened military and crossed the Rhine-Danube to loot and destroyDanube to loot and destroy

Economy is strickenEconomy is stricken• Ruined farms, taxation, trade disrupted, Ruined farms, taxation, trade disrupted,

debased coinage, inflation, disrupted debased coinage, inflation, disrupted transportation, damaged middle class, forced transportation, damaged middle class, forced labor, faminelabor, famine

The Emperors of the Late EmpireThe Emperors of the Late Empire

Septimius SeverusSeptimius Severus Caracalla and ElagabalusCaracalla and Elagabalus DiocletianDiocletian ConstantineConstantine JulianJulian Claudius JulianusClaudius Julianus TheodosiusTheodosius

Septimius SeverusSeptimius Severus When Commodus died each of the 3 major When Commodus died each of the 3 major

armies (Syrian, Danube, British) appoints armies (Syrian, Danube, British) appoints an emperor and once again civil war an emperor and once again civil war ensuesensues

Severus established a military autocracySeverus established a military autocracy Decisions were made for the good of the Decisions were made for the good of the

troopstroops He was African therefore he held no He was African therefore he held no

loyalty toward Italyloyalty toward Italy Focused all attention on the provincesFocused all attention on the provinces Removed the tax break that the Italians Removed the tax break that the Italians

hadhad Allowed tribesman to join the military and Allowed tribesman to join the military and

rise to the highest positionsrise to the highest positions

Caracalla and Elagabalus Caracalla and Elagabalus

Caracalla (MARCUS AURELIUS SEVERUS Caracalla (MARCUS AURELIUS SEVERUS ANTONINUS) was made emperor with his brother ANTONINUS) was made emperor with his brother Geta as assistant emperor by SeptimiusGeta as assistant emperor by Septimius

He kills GetaHe kills Geta Believed he was Alexander the Great reincarnatedBelieved he was Alexander the Great reincarnated spent large amounts of money on ridiculous warsspent large amounts of money on ridiculous wars extended citizenship to all who lived in the Roman extended citizenship to all who lived in the Roman

EmpireEmpire Elagabalus killed Caracalla with the help of Elagabalus killed Caracalla with the help of

Alexander Severus Alexander Severus Elagabalus ends up being murdered by AlexanderElagabalus ends up being murdered by Alexander Rome is busy with it's civil wars and multitude of Rome is busy with it's civil wars and multitude of

leaders for 50 years meanwhile the rest of Europe leaders for 50 years meanwhile the rest of Europe is building up their troops is building up their troops

RumorsRumors He would wear a tunic made wholly of cloth of He would wear a tunic made wholly of cloth of

gold, or one made of purple, or a Persian one gold, or one made of purple, or a Persian one studded with jewels, and at such times he would studded with jewels, and at such times he would say that he felt oppressed by the weight of his say that he felt oppressed by the weight of his pleasures. He even wore jewels on his shoes, pleasures. He even wore jewels on his shoes, sometimes engraved ones - a practice which sometimes engraved ones - a practice which aroused the derision of all, as if, forsooth, the aroused the derision of all, as if, forsooth, the engraving of famous artists could be seen on the engraving of famous artists could be seen on the jewels attached to one's feet. He wished to wear jewels attached to one's feet. He wished to wear also a jeweled diadem in order that his beauty also a jeweled diadem in order that his beauty might be increased and his face look more like a might be increased and his face look more like a woman's; and in his own house he did wear one. woman's; and in his own house he did wear one. Historia Augusta Historia Augusta Life of ElagabalusLife of Elagabalus XXIII XXIII

Brothels and TavernsBrothels and Taverns ...And even at Rome he did nothing but send out ...And even at Rome he did nothing but send out

agents to search for those who had particularly agents to search for those who had particularly large organs and bring them to the palace in large organs and bring them to the palace in order that he might enjoy their vigor. Life of order that he might enjoy their vigor. Life of Elagabalus V; VIIIElagabalus V; VIII

DiocletianDiocletian Born poorBorn poor Joined the army; started at the very bottom and worked his Joined the army; started at the very bottom and worked his

way up to becoming emperorway up to becoming emperor Establishes an autocracyEstablishes an autocracy Led successful campaigns against the Franks and the Led successful campaigns against the Franks and the

BergandiansBergandians Divides the empire into west and east sectionsDivides the empire into west and east sections Each section will have an Augustus and a Caesar Each section will have an Augustus and a Caesar He becomes the Augustus of the east with Galerius as CaesarHe becomes the Augustus of the east with Galerius as Caesar Maximian becomes Augustus of the west with Constantius as Maximian becomes Augustus of the west with Constantius as

CaesarCaesar Both the east and west are broken into 4 PrefecturesBoth the east and west are broken into 4 Prefectures Each of these is broken into 12 dioceseEach of these is broken into 12 diocese Each diocese is headed by a vicarEach diocese is headed by a vicar Once again imposed paganism and outlawed ChristianityOnce again imposed paganism and outlawed Christianity After 20 yrs he passes the thrown to his CaesarAfter 20 yrs he passes the thrown to his Caesar Constantius dies immediately after he is appointedConstantius dies immediately after he is appointed

ConstantineConstantine Appointed by the armyAppointed by the army Civil war ensues againCivil war ensues again Built a new capital- ConstantinopleBuilt a new capital- Constantinople Byzantine, present day IstanbulByzantine, present day Istanbul Called the most important emperor of Late Called the most important emperor of Late

Antiquity Antiquity His victory at the Milvian Bridge counts among His victory at the Milvian Bridge counts among

the most decisive moments in world history, while the most decisive moments in world history, while his legalization and support of Christianity and his his legalization and support of Christianity and his foundation of a 'New Rome' at Byzantium rank foundation of a 'New Rome' at Byzantium rank among the most momentous decisions ever made among the most momentous decisions ever made by a European ruler. (by a European ruler. (http://www.roman-emperors.org/conniei.htmhttp://www.roman-emperors.org/conniei.htm))

Milvian BridgeMilvian Bridge Constantine was commanded in Constantine was commanded in a dream to place the sign of Christ on the shields a dream to place the sign of Christ on the shields of his soldiers. of his soldiers.

Converts to ChristianityConverts to Christianity

Arianism and NicaeaArianism and Nicaea

Controversy over the relationship between Controversy over the relationship between the God the father and Jesusthe God the father and Jesus

Arius said that Jesus was a lesser God than Arius said that Jesus was a lesser God than the fatherthe father

Constantine summoned the First Constantine summoned the First Ecumenical Council on 20 May 325 Ecumenical Council on 20 May 325

Arius was condemned Arius was condemned Other matters were solved as well (canon)Other matters were solved as well (canon)

Constantine’s DeathConstantine’s Death Dies from illness and his sons inherit the Dies from illness and his sons inherit the

empireempire Constantine II, Constantius, ConstansConstantine II, Constantius, Constans Civil war once again ensues and all 3 Civil war once again ensues and all 3

brothers diebrothers die Julian takes over when the brothers dieJulian takes over when the brothers die Executes Christians again Executes Christians again Flavius Claudius Julianus reigned from 360 Flavius Claudius Julianus reigned from 360

to 26 June 363 to 26 June 363 Dies fighting the PersiansDies fighting the Persians

Invasions in the WestInvasions in the West Theodosius I dies in 395 and leaves the west to Theodosius I dies in 395 and leaves the west to

his son Honorius and the East to his son Arcadius; his son Honorius and the East to his son Arcadius; both were considered equalboth were considered equal

Goths Vandals and Huns begin to tear down the Goths Vandals and Huns begin to tear down the western empirewestern empire

The Visigoths under King Alaric had settled in the The Visigoths under King Alaric had settled in the Balkans but saw an opportunity to invadeBalkans but saw an opportunity to invade

410 Rome was sacked410 Rome was sacked Vandals had swept through Spain and came to Vandals had swept through Spain and came to

Occupy Roman Africa; they sacked Rome in 455Occupy Roman Africa; they sacked Rome in 455

476476 Odoacer (a barbarian) and his troops were Odoacer (a barbarian) and his troops were

mercenaries in the service of Romemercenaries in the service of Rome In 476 his men revolted and proclaimed Him king. In 476 his men revolted and proclaimed Him king. Odoacer defeated the Romans at Piacenza and Odoacer defeated the Romans at Piacenza and

Ravenna (the West Roman capital).Ravenna (the West Roman capital). Finally he deposed the last Roman emperor of the Finally he deposed the last Roman emperor of the

West Romulus Augustus in 476West Romulus Augustus in 476 Eastern Emperor Zeno sent Theodoric the Great, Eastern Emperor Zeno sent Theodoric the Great,

King of the Ostrogoths to fight Odoacer in 488 King of the Ostrogoths to fight Odoacer in 488 They agree to share authority in Italy but They agree to share authority in Italy but

Theodoric’s men assassinate OdoacerTheodoric’s men assassinate Odoacer Theodoric Names himself Master of Italy, ruler of Theodoric Names himself Master of Italy, ruler of

Goths and RomansGoths and Romans

Decline of RomeDecline of Rome Why did Rome Decline?Why did Rome Decline? Lost a strong and effective emperorLost a strong and effective emperor Lost disciplined militaryLost disciplined military Lost a strong senateLost a strong senate The economy collapsedThe economy collapsed Bread and circus made people lazyBread and circus made people lazy Bread and circus is basically food and Bread and circus is basically food and

entertainmententertainment There was a shortage of silverThere was a shortage of silver Collapse of civil serviceCollapse of civil service No city officials No city officials Lack of efficient administration Lack of efficient administration

The “Fall”The “Fall”

1- The process lasted hundreds of 1- The process lasted hundreds of yearsyears

2- only the western half fell; the 2- only the western half fell; the eastern half endured as the eastern half endured as the Byzantine empire until the mid 15Byzantine empire until the mid 15thth

3- No single explanation is sufficient 3- No single explanation is sufficient for Rome’s declinefor Rome’s decline

Perry’s Reasons Perry’s Reasons The role of the Germanic TribesThe role of the Germanic Tribes

• Their pressure aggravated Rome’s internal problems Their pressure aggravated Rome’s internal problems • The Romans had to impose heavy burdens on its people to maintain The Romans had to impose heavy burdens on its people to maintain

the armed forcesthe armed forces The Roman spirit had turned to apathy and a lack of interest in The Roman spirit had turned to apathy and a lack of interest in

public lifepublic life• Even though the Romans far outnumbered the barbariansEven though the Romans far outnumbered the barbarians

Political and Military ConsiderationsPolitical and Military Considerations• Sapped the initiative and spirits of the citizensSapped the initiative and spirits of the citizens• The state became more of an enemy than the GermansThe state became more of an enemy than the Germans• Quality of Roman soldiers deterioratedQuality of Roman soldiers deteriorated• Large numbers of barbarians were recruitedLarge numbers of barbarians were recruited• No loyalty to Greco-Roman civilizationNo loyalty to Greco-Roman civilization

EconomicsEconomics• Population shrank while costs to run the empire shot upPopulation shrank while costs to run the empire shot up• Fewer workers were available for agricultureFewer workers were available for agriculture• Manpower for the army dwindledManpower for the army dwindled• Cities lacked industryCities lacked industry• People began to abandon their farms for the safety of the latifundiaPeople began to abandon their farms for the safety of the latifundia

Others turned to banditryOthers turned to banditry

The Roman LegacyThe Roman Legacy The center of gravity shifted from the The center of gravity shifted from the

cities to the landed estates in rural areascities to the landed estates in rural areas Local aristocrats gained in powerLocal aristocrats gained in power Rome left an important idea: the idea of a Rome left an important idea: the idea of a

world empire united by common law world empire united by common law By preserving and adding to the Greek By preserving and adding to the Greek

culture, Rome strengthened the culture, Rome strengthened the foundations of Western Civilization foundations of Western Civilization

The Latin languageThe Latin language Christianity developed within and was a Christianity developed within and was a

product of the Roman cultureproduct of the Roman culture