day 6 classwork

pg 173-176 notes

• internal problems and invasions spurred the division and decline of the roman empire
• the end of the emperor Marcus Aurelius marked the end of two centuries of peace
• hostile tribes and pirates disrupted the trade
• the government raised taxes
• economy suffered from inflation which is a drastic drop in the value of money coupled with a rise in prices
• soil had lost its fertility causing farming more and more difficult
• serious food shortages and disease spread, and the population decline
• Roman soldiers had become less disciplined and loyal
• AD 284 Diocletian became the new emperor
• He restored order to the emperor and increased its strength 
• Divided the empire into the greek speaking east and the latin speaking west
• Retired in AD 305 due to illness (plans for orderly succession failed)
• AD 312 Constantine gained control of the western part of the empire
• Moved the capital of Rome to the greek city of Byzantium
• city took a new name of Constantinople
• East would survive; west would fail
• AD 370 group of Mongol nomads came and destroyed everything in there path
• Attila terrorized both halves of the empire
• AD 452 Attila's forces advanced against Rome but bouts of famine and disease kept them from conquering the land
• 453 Attila dies
• last Roman emperor was a 14 year old boy named Romulus Augustulus

Terms and questions:

• Inflation-Drastic drop in the value of money coupled with a rise in prices
• Mercenary-Soldier who is paid to fight in a foreign army to defend against the increasing threats in the empire
• Diocletian-Strong willed army leader who became the new emperor
• Constantinople-New capital in Rome
• Attila-Germanic assault on the empire, became a direct threat

1. The political instability, social decline, economic deterioration, and military collapse were all internal causes of the empire decline
2. He ruled with an iron fist and fixed previous problems, split the empire in half and ruled the Eastern part, doubled the size of the Roman army
3. The Huns pushed into there land so they tried to flee from the Huns, and ended up pushing into Roman lands