chapter+5.5+outline

__ chapter 5.5 outline __ I. The Decline A. Marcus Aurelius- last of the 5 good emperors that died in 180 A.D. 1. period of conflict and confussion followed B. Military Government under the severan rulers restored order in the series of the civil war 1. 20 of these emperors died C. Empire was troubled by a series of invasions D. Persians made inroads into roman territories E. Germanic tribes poured into the Balkans, Gaul, and Spain F. In the 3rd century, Invasions, civil wars, and the plague came close to the collaspe of the roman empire 1. declined trade and small territories G.plague- (epidemic diesease) that affected both military recruiting and the economy H. Farm production declined I.Diocletian- ruled from 284 to 305, believing thaat the empire had grown too large for a simple ruler 1. divided the empire into 4 units 2. his military enabled him to claim a higher status and hold ulitimate authority J. constanine- ruled from 306 to 337, that expanded the policies of Diocletian K. Diocletian and Constanine strengthened and enlarged the administrative bureacracies of the roman empire 1. reformed army and a civil service that mostly drained public funds 2. devised new economic and social policies to deal with these financial burdens 3. issued edicts that forced people to remain intheir designated vocations L. to fight Inflation ( ripid increas in prices) Diocletian issued a price edict in 301 that set wages and price controls for the entire empire M. Hencoe, basic jobs, such as bankers, and shippers, became heredity N. the Fortunes of free tenant farmers also declinedthe major-breakthough of invaders O. Constantiner's- biggest project of construction was Byzantium or now Constantinople (modern Istanbul in Turkey) was developed for defensive reasons and had an excellant strategic location. 1. became the center of the eastern roman empire and one of the greatest cities in the world III. The Fall A. The major breakthough og invaders came into the west in the second half of the fouth century 1. the Huns- who came from Asia, moved into easten Europe and put pressure on germanic visigoths 2. the visgoths- moved south and west, cross the Danube river, into the roman territory, and settled down as roman allies a. in 410, sacked rome 3. the Vandals- poured into southern spain and africa a. crossed into italy from northern Africa and also sacked rome B. Romulus Augustus- deposed by the germanic head of the army 1. was usually taken as the date of the fall of the western roman empire C. the eastern empire (Byzantine empire) continued to thrive with its center of constantinople D. the theories of the roman empire 1. christanity's emphasis on a spitirual kingdom weakened military virtues 2. traditional roman values declined as non- italians gained prominence in the empire 3. lead poisoning through leaden water pipes and cups caused a mental decline in population 4. plague wiped out one- tenth of the population 5. rome failed to advance technologically because of slavery 6. rome was unable to put together a workable political system E. the han dynasty fell to the Xiongnu F. Roman army invaded Italy, Gaul, and the western roman empire which fell over H. Eastern roman empire survived from the invasion