The Decline of Rome

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The Decline of Romes Empire
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The Julian-Claudian Dynasty Poisoned Stabbed
Poisoned Suicide

• Tiberius
• r 14-37
• Caligula
• r 37-41
• Claudius
• r 41-54
• Nero
• r 54-68

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Flavian Dynasty, 69-96Vespasian, sons Titus
then Domitian
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Emperor Nerva r 96-98

• He initiated the adoptive system to provide for
  competent rulers

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The Five Good Emperors

• Nerva, 96-98
• Trajan, 98-117
• Hadrian, 117-138
• Antoninus Pius, 131-161
• Marcus Aurelius, 161-180

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The Empire at its height, c 250
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The Pax Romana - Time of Happiness

• Fullfillment of Rome's mission the creation of
  a world state that provided peace, security and
  ordered civilization through the rule of law.
• Smooth transition of power
• Spread of Greco-Roman civilization
• Built over 100 cities
• International commerce
• Rid the seas of pirates
• Goods circulated freely
• Infrastructure accomplishments
• 53,000 miles of roads
• Improved harbors
• Cleared forests
• Drained swamps
• Built aqueducts, bridges, sewage systems, bath
  houses, public toilets, ampitheatres etc

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Marcus Aurelius, r 161-180
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Commodus r 180-192

• His rule was one of debauchery, paranoia and
  insanity
• Had Rome renamed as colonia Commodiana
• Believed he was Hercules reborn
• Most infamous act slaughtered physically
  handicapped people dressed up as mythical
  enemies of the gods

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The Crisis of the 3rd Century Anarchy and
Disorder

• From 235-285, there were 26 Soldier Emperors, 25
  of whom died violent deaths
• Referred to as Barracks emperors their power
  was derived from the military which sold itself
  to the highest bidder.
• Military mutinies and civil wars replaced
  protection of the borders.

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Signs of trouble

• Internal unrest poor, slaves, Gaul, Egypt
  Judea
• Slow transportation and communications
• Landed nobility squandered wealth
• Manual labor seen as degrading
• Little incentive for innovation -10 million
  slaves
• Govt kept grain prices low
• Erosion of independent farmers accelerated
• Overgrazing and Deforestation
• Tide of rationalism gave way to mystery religions

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Two Emperors who tried to contain the awesome
forces of disintegration

• Both Diocletian (285-305) and Constantine
  (306-337) faced the problem of threats to the
  borders from the Germanic tribes and from Persia
• They also had to deal with the on-going, internal
  economic crises that was eroding the high
  standard of living which had characterized the
  Pax Romana

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Diocletian

• To insure production of goods, farmers, artisans
  and unskilled workers had to hold their job for
  life and pass it on to their children
• Fixed prices on all goods grown or manufactured

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Diocletian, The Tetrarchy, 285-305
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Constantine, 306-331

• The first Roman emperor to embrace Christianity

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In 324, Constantine moves East
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The Germanic Tribes c. 362
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Battle of Adrianople, 378

• Rome faced its worst defeat since the Battle of
  Cannae (Hannibal)
• The Emperor Valens was captured and killed
• The Goth cavalry was superior over the Roman
  foot soldiers
• Significance Rome could no longer secure its
  borders against new tactics of warfare

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Theodosius, 379-385 The last Emperor who could
claim to rule both East and West. Upon his
death, the empire was divided between his
two sons, Arcadius (East) and Honorius (West)
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• 410 - Visigoth chief Alaric was the first
  non-Roman to control the city in 800 years. He
  left in three days, after highly-organized, but
  relatively non-violent looting.

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End of an Empire 476

• Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman Emperor was
  deposed by a German chieftain named Odovacer who
  claimed the western crown for himself.

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Romes last gasps Theodoric the Great 489-526

• Ostrogoth king ruled Italy from Rome after
  killing Odovacer
• His rule was enlightened, peaceful and just-
  praised by Romans barbarians.
• Retained the Roman Senate, civil service and
  schools. Old, aristocratic families still held
  high positions in the government

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The real end of Rome Germanic leader named Totila

• By 544 Totila had established control of northern
  Italy at Ravenna.
• In 546, his Gothic army sacked Rome, destroying
  baths, sewers, aqueducts, temples and government
  buildings.

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