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Analyze the internal and external factors that led to the eventual collapse of the Western Roman Empire.
Imagine a superpower so strong it lasted for 1,000 years—then suddenly, it began to break apart like a giant puzzle. What happens when a country becomes too big to protect itself?
For centuries, Rome was the center of the world. However, by the 3rd century, things began to go wrong from the inside. First, there were economic problems. The empire was expensive to run, so the government raised taxes. They also minted coins with less silver, leading to inflation—a situation where money loses its value and prices go up. Second, the government became unstable. In a 50-year period, Rome had 26 different emperors, and most were assassinated! Finally, the empire was simply too large. Communication was slow, and it was hard for one leader to defend thousands of miles of borders against outside threats.
Quick Check
What is 'inflation' and how did it affect Roman citizens?
Answer
Inflation is when money loses its value and prices go up, making it harder for citizens to buy what they needed.
In 284 CE, Emperor Diocletian realized the empire was too massive for one person to manage. He made a bold move: he split the empire into two halves. The Western Roman Empire (capital in Rome) and the Eastern Roman Empire (capital in Byzantium, later called Constantinople). While this made the government more organized, it also meant the two halves stopped helping each other. The East was much wealthier and had a stronger army, leaving the West struggling to survive on its own. By the year CE, the split became permanent.
Think of the empire like a giant pizza. 1. Originally, one person (the Emperor) tried to eat the whole thing alone. 2. Diocletian cut it in half so two people could manage it. 3. However, the Eastern half got all the 'toppings' (wealth and trade), while the Western half was left with just the 'crust' (debt and invasions).
Quick Check
Who was the emperor responsible for first splitting the empire into two parts?
Answer
Emperor Diocletian.
While Rome was weak inside, outside groups were moving in. Romans called these people barbarians because they didn't speak Latin. Groups like the Visigoths, Vandals, and Huns began migrating into Roman lands. The Huns, led by the fierce Attila, were so scary that they pushed other tribes, like the Goths, right into Roman territory. In 410 CE, the Visigoths did the unthinkable: they broke into the city of Rome and looted it. Finally, in 476 CE, a Germanic leader named Odoacer overthrew the last Roman emperor, marking the official end of the Western Empire.
The fall wasn't just one event; it was a chain reaction: 1. The Huns moved from Central Asia into Eastern Europe. 2. This forced the Visigoths to flee into Roman territory for safety. 3. Rome treated the Visigoths poorly, leading the Visigoths to rebel and eventually attack the city of Rome itself.
Quick Check
Which group's migration caused a 'domino effect' that pushed other tribes into Rome?
Answer
The Huns.
Which of these was an internal economic problem for Rome?
Which city became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?
The Huns were a barbarian tribe that helped Rome defend its borders.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to list the three 'I's of the fall: Inflation, Insecurity (weak leaders), and Invasions.
Practice Activity
Draw a map of the Mediterranean and draw a line down the middle. Label the West 'Rome' and the East 'Constantinople' to visualize the split.