Political Instability • Began after Marcus Aurelius

Roman Decline Chapter 6, Section 5

– Last of the Good Emperors – Seceeded by weak leaders

• “Barracks Emperors” (A.D. 192-284)

– Emperors selected by legions. – Most were killed by legions. – 28 emperors named 92 years

• Led to a series of civil wars

Germanic Invasions • Germans – Tribes E. of Rhine & N. of Danube

• Driven by the Huns – Asiatic people pushing from the E. – Led by Attila the Hun

• Invaded the weaker Romans to the W. – Romans fighting amongst themselves. – Romans overextended empire. • Couldn’t defend all the borders

Economic Problems • Shortages – War disrupted trade and production

• Inflation – Prices increase; value of money decreases – Resulted b/c of . . . • Shortages • Gov’t. minted more coins – To pay legions to defend empire

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Diocletian • Divided the empire – Eastern provinces • Ruled by Diocletian – Western provinces • Ruled by General Maximian

Diocletian • Edict of Prices – Froze wages and set prices • Tried to stop inflation – Led to black market • Unofficial, illegal trade

• Bound people to land and professions – Became hereditary – Attempted to prevent shortages

Constantine • • • •

Succeeded Diocletian 1st emperor to adopt Christianity Re-united the empire Est. new capital – Constantinople • “The City of Constantine” • Built on the ruins of Greek Byzantium • Renamed Istanbul after city fell to Turks

Theodosius I • Succeeded Constantine • Adopted Christianity as official religion

• Willed that the empire be split – Western Roman Empire

• Collapsed due to German invasions 400s

– Eastern Roman Empire

• Referred to as Byzantine Empire by historians

– Named after Byzantium – Reflects the greater Greek character of empire

• Survives for 1,000 yrs. after collapse of W. Roman Empire

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