The Fall of Rome

Pax Romana

Pax Romana

peace which existed between nationalities within the Roman Empire

Marcus Aurelius died

180 AD

Pax Romana ended

When Marcus Aurelius died

Marcus Aurelius’s son

Commodus

Commodus

took over the Empire starting a string of bad emperors and the ultimate decline of the Roman Empire

After the death of Marcus Aurelius

the roman empire will stay together for nearly 300 years

Causes of Roman Fall

Geographical Size, Economy, Military, Moral Decay, Political Problems, Invasion and move of the capital city

Geographical Size

Difficulty of defense and administration

Economy

The cost of defense, and devaluation of Roman currency. Slavery caused high unemployment

Military

Army membership started to include non-Romans , resulting in decline of discipline

Non-Romans in the military

mercenaries

Moral Decay

People’s loss of faith in Rome and the family

Political Problems

Civil conflict and weak administration

Constantine moved

the capital city from Rome to Byzantium

Renamed Byzantium to

Constantine

Roman Empire was split into

Western and Eastern Empire

Western Empire fell in

476 AD

The Western Empire fell but the Eastern Empire will

live on for another 1000 years