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The Fall of Rome
The Fall of Rome
Target
Identify and describe the weaknesses of the Roman Empire.
Analyze the tactics, strategies, and logistics that led to the fall of Rome
Rome
1000 years
Stability, prosperity, order, rule of law, roads, architecture, engineering, civilization.
20-30 legions guarded frontiers
Weaknesses
Emperors had absolute authority
Rules of succession were not clear
Civil Wars
Corrupt
Wealth only achieved by the few
Borders were immense
Little conquest = little money
More taxes = unhappier people
plague
The Empire Splits
2 parts, 2 emperors
Rome no longer capital
Totalitarian Control
Civil Wars
No Roman troops left to defend border
Foreign invaders begin raiding Roman territory
5th Century Invasions
Roman emperors were pre-occupied
civil wars and religious problems
Invaders from all over took advantage
The Huns
Fierce Nomadic Tribe from Asia Minor
Unified by Attila
Why were the Huns so effective against the Romans?
Hunnic Composite Bow
Roman Military Weaknesses
Composite bow
Guerilla tactics (hit and Run)
Cavalry
Attila’s Logistics?
“Raiding”
Attila’s Rule Hunnic Empire
Attila looked at himself as the overlord of all Europe…including Rome
Roman Emperors were afraid of him
Paid him gold as a tribute
Attila vs. Rome
Attila sacked Milan
Battle of Chalons
Attila returned to Hungary
Died a year later on his wedding day
Without Attila’s leadership, the Hunnic Empire broke up
The Goths
Being attacked by Huns
Sought refuge in the Roman Empire
Romans only let in a few at a time
Treated harshly and starved
Frediger rebels and causes havoc
Adrianople
Alleric sacks Rome in 410 AD
End of the Roman Empire
