The Roman Empire spanned from 31 BC to 476 AD, controlling vast territories across Europe, Asia, and Africa and unifying them under a single ruler. It established Latin as a common language and principles of law and order while building great infrastructure projects. Christianity began as a persecuted religion but eventually became the official state religion in 380 AD. However, the Empire faced internal problems as it grew too large and decentralized, with constant warfare and economic issues. It split into Western and Eastern divisions and the Western half ultimately fell when the city of Rome was invaded in 476 AD.
2. What was the Roman Empire?
vast collection of states and cultures
extended across Europe, Asia and Africa
under the control of one ruler: the Roman Emperor
Augustus was first emperor
emperors considered to be gods as well as rulers
Lasted from around 31 BC to 476 AD
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4. Key achievements of Roman Empire
Roman culture unified three continents
common language (Latin)
legal principles: impartial justice, trial by jury
engineering and architecture: great roads and buildings
5. Christianity
begins as outlaw religion in the far reaches of the Empire
persecutions begin with the Emperor Nero
persecution continues for three centuries
emerges as a major force
very appealing to Rome’s common people, the poor, slaves
different values from those of Rome
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7. Christianity
from illegal to accepted religion
Constantine: first Christian emperor
Edict of Milan (313 AD): permitted Christians to practice
their religion
from accepted religion to official religion of the Empire
Theodosius: made Christianity the state religion in 380 AD
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10. Problems in the Empire
too big and too diverse
corruption in the army
constant civil war, often between people competing to be
emperor
some really awful emperors
increasing slavery led to greater unemployment
large gap between rich and poor (as in the Republic)
inflation: value of money decreased, prices went up
trade declined
declining population
failure to protect borders: “barbarians” migrated into
Empire
11. Division and Decline
problem: Empire is too big and diverse
attempted solution: divide the Empire
Diocletian: Emperor who split the Empire into west and
east in 285 AD
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13. Decline of Rome
Constantine: emperor who moved the Empire’s capital
away from Rome
temporarily reunited the two parts of the Empire
established new capital in the eastern part of the Empire in
330 AD
capital city was renamed Constantinople
empire was divided permanently in 395 AD
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16. “Fall” of the Roman Empire
What do we mean by “fall”?
generally refers to the abdication (giving up the throne) of
the last Roman emperor: Romulus Augustus in the year
476 AD
the city of Rome was invaded by the Germanic tribes, led by
a chief named Odoacer
Only the western part of the Empire “fell”
eastern part of the Empire became the Byzantine Empire
it lasted for another thousand years
