Fall of Rome Flashcards
When did it begin
190AD
What tribes attacked Rome?
the Goths and Vandals
What happened because of civil war?
• Civil wars in parts of empire weakened the rule of Rome and respect for Roman law dwindled as a result.
Why did the goths attack?
• Tribes such as Goths attacked to move south into parts of Europe that experienced better climate for farming. Conflict with romans result.
what did rome experience in 190AD?
• 190 AD, Rome experience succession of poor emperors who simply were not capable of doing the job
What was the relation with the fall of empire and armies?
- Roman army spread throughout Western Europe. Each part of army had own idea of who should be emperor. If one man becomes emperor another would fight to put his own man to power.
- Between 211 AD and 284 AD, there were 23 ‘soldier emperors’ – 20 killed by rivals
What did emperor Diocletian realize and what did he do to solve it?
- 284AD, emperor Diocletian realize something had to be done or Rome and empire will disintegrate.
- Divided roman empire into two make it easier to rule (Eastern and Western Empire)
- Each had own leader.
What countries were western empire?
• Western Empire- Spain, France, England, Italy and parts of Germany and all areas East were in the Eastern Empire
What problems did emperor Diocletian face?
- But he faced more than just administrative problems. More military defenses had to be built across empire – not enough money
- Taxes raised and extra coins minted, prices rise and people of Rome led favorable towards leader
What are three factors leading to fall of empire in 109-284AD?
threats from tribes, financial problems and civilian population becoming more discontented.
Who was Constantine?
• 307 – 337 AD, Constantine, first Christian emperor and considered to be strong ruler.
What did Constantine do? Why was it a poor decision?
- Made Constantinople the capital of empire after thinking Rome was to faraway from vital areas of empire
- Poor decision to do that – city further east than Rome and firmly in the Eastern Empire. Left Western Empire very vulnerable- though the Eastern Empire was hardly free from attacks
What tribes attacked Western Empire?
- Ostrogoth’s attack Western empire via eastern empire.
- Huns, tribe from Asia, attack Western Empire
- Franks, Visigoths and Burgundians all made large inroads into the western empire
What were romans forced to do with the tribes?
• Romans forced to make deals with the tribes. Vandals and Visigoths allowed living in Roman Empire as long at they promise to protect the empire from the Huns.
What did Alaric, leader of visigoths realise?
• 398 AD, Alaric, leader of Visigoths, realize roman army was so thinly spread that Rome itself was for taking. Moved south in 410 AD and captured city of Rome, city sacked
