The Fall of Rome

Rome's Economy Began to Fall Apart

200

During the A.D. 200s, Rome’s economy began to fall apart. As government weakened, law and order broke down. Roman soldiers and invaders seized crops and destroyed fields. Farmers grew less food, and hunger began to spread.

Rome's Government Became Very Weak

235

For almost 50 years, army leaders fought each other for the throne. During this time, Rome had 22 different emperors.

A General Named Diocletian Became Emperor

284

To stop the empire’s decline, Diocletian introduced reforms. Because the empire was too large for one person to rule, he divided it into four parts. He named officials to rule these areas but kept authority over all.

The Huns Entered Eastern Europe and Defeated the Ostrogoths, and the Visogoths asked The Romans for Help

300

In the late A.D. 300s, the Huns entered Eastern Europe and defeated the Ostrogoths The Visigoths, fearing they would be next, asked the Eastern Roman emperor for protection. He let them settle just inside the empire’s border. In return they promised to be loyal to Rome.

Another General Named Constatine Became Emporer

312

To aid the economy, Constantine issued several orders. The sons of workers had to follow their fathers’ trades, the sons of farmers had to work the land their fathers worked, and the sons of soldiers had to serve in the army.

Constantine Died and Theodosius Became Emperor

337

When Constantine died in A.D. 337, fighting broke out again. A new emperor called Theodosius finally gained control and ended the fighting. Ruling the empire proved to be difficult. Theodosius decided to divide the empire after his death.

The Visigoths rebelled against the Romans.

378

Finally, the Visigoths rebelled against the Romans. In A.D. 378 they defeated Roman legions at the Battle of Adrianople. After that defeat, Rome was forced to surrender land to the Visigoths.

The Roman Empire Split Into Two Separate Empires

395

In A.D. 395, the Roman Empire split into two separate empires. One was the Western Roman Empire, with its capital at Rome. The other was the Eastern Roman Empire, with its capital at Constantinople.

The Rhine River in Western Europe Froze

406

In the winter of A.D. 406, the Rhine River in Western Europe froze. Germanic groups crossed the frozen river and entered Gaul, which is today France.The Romans were too weak to force them back across the border.

The Visigoth leader Alaric and His Soldiers Captured Rome Itself.

410

In A.D. 410 the Visigoth leader Alaric and his soldiers captured Rome itself. They burned records and looted the treasury. Rome’s capture by Alaric was a great shock to the empire’s people. It was the first time Rome had been conquered in 800 years.

The Vandals Entered Rome

455

In A.D. 455 the Vandals entered Rome. They spent 12 days stripping buildings of everything valuable and burning them.

A Germanic General Named Odoacer Took Control

476

In A.D. 476 a Germanic general named Odoacer took control, overthrowing the western emperor, a 14-year-old boy named Romulus Augustulus. After Romulus Augustulus, no emperor ever again ruled from Rome. Historians often use this event to mark the end of the Western Roman Empire.

The Western Roman Empire Had Faded Away

550

By A.D. 550, the Western Roman Empire had faded away. Many Roman beliefs and practices remained in use. For example, Europe’s new Germanic rulers adopted the Latin language, Roman laws, and Christianity. Although the Western Roman Empire fell to Germanic invaders, the Eastern Roman Empire prospered. It became known as the Byzantine Empire and lasted nearly 1,000 more years.