The Rise and Fall of Rome

Roman Roads

312 BCE

During 312 B.C. , Rome created the great invention of roads. Before that, travel mainly involved traveling on dirt tracks.The army used specialized tools and lots of human labor to build these roads. The process was to mark the route, dig the foundation, and build up many layers of material until it became flat. These roads went through mountains and bridges went over water. This also helped trade. They also built aqueducts which carried water to the Roman Empire from around the world.

The Romans Took Over Jerusalem

63 BCE

In 63 B.C. the Romans took over Jerusalem and weren't too happy about their religion. Because the Romans conquered many places from all around the world, they were fine with many religions as long as they worshipped the emperor like a god. The Jews didn't though. They only worshipped one God and the Romans didn't like that. Soon tensions grew and it became a full conflict. In A.D. 70, the Romans defeated the Jews and that caused them to scatter throughout the empire. Then began Christianity.

Rise Of Augustus

31 BCE

After Caesar's death, Octavian became the ruler of Rome at age 18 in 31 B.C. He was the greatest ruler Rome had had yet. Four years later, the Senate gave him the name Augustus, or "exalted one". He used his wealth and power for good, not evil. As a matter of fact, Augustus started the Pax Romana, or "Roman Peace" for the next 200 years. Augustus was the greatest ruler Rome had.

The Rise of Christianity

70

During A.D. 70 when the Jews spread throughout the Roman Empire, this began the spread of Christianity. Christianity was based on the teachings of Jesus, a man born in Judea around 6 B.C. Christianity was its own religion and many Christians were killed for being Christian. Once Christian persecution reached its peak, Constantine won a battle for their freedom. Because the Christians were free, they spread the religion all over. And by then, Christianity became the Roman Empire's religion.

Roman Growth and Trade

117

Due to the Pax Romana that Augustus created, travel throughout the Roman Empire became much safer. Traveling traders could then bring their goods to anywhere they pleased in the Roman Empire without worry of being robbed. The Roman Empire was importing and exporting goods from all over the world. Because all of these goods were being brought into the Roman Empire, more and more soldiers could be fed and cared for when going into battle. The Pax Romana was a great time for Rome.

Decline of the Roman Empire

235

Because the Roman Empire had issues with effective governing, that also caused issues with the people, trade, and resources. More and more criminal organizations arose and the poor were treated very unfairly by the rich. Trade on the other hand was rapidly failing. It was interrupted, people were heavily taxed, and the value of currency lowered. This also meant that resources being brought in from around the world were being stopped which meant that resources were running low in the empire.

Internal Weakness

235

During A.D. 235, the Roman Empire had basically outgrown the emperors. It had expanded all the way to Scotland and the Sahara. The area was so large it was difficult to govern effectively.They were being attacked on two fronts at the same time which meant that their resources and supplies were increasingly running low and constantly needed to be restocked. Wars were being fought around and outside the empire. Meanwhile, wars within the Roman Empire remained for control of the empire.

The Split of the Empire

285

During A.D. 284 a new leader stepped to the throne and changed the Roman Empire forever. When this man, Diocletian, became the ruler he had the brilliant idea to split the empire in two with the help of his friend Maximian. Diocletian ruled the Eastern Roman Empire and Maximian ruled the Western Roman Empire with the help of their junior emperors.

Constantine Strikes Again

306

When Constantine's father, Maximian, died, Constantine wanted to rule the Western Roman Empire in place of him but the tetrarchy declined him. This caused a civil war which Constantine won. He became the ruler of both the empires but was more interested in the Eastern half of his empire.The east was rising and the west was falling. Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium which he renamed Constantinople. Constantine became a great ruler but his sons ruined the empire.

End of the Western Roman Empire

375

A.D. 375 was the worst possible time for the Western Roman Empire. Diocletian and Constantine only delayed the downfall of the Western Roman Empire. In the end, it was 3 main barbarian tribes that defeated the Western Roman Empire. The Visigoths and Vandals were both Germanic tribes from northern Europe. However, the Huns were a tribe from Asia. The Huns invaded Europe, the Visigoths invaded Italy, and the Vandals invaded Spain and Gaul. In the end, the Visigoths ended Rome entirely.