The Disentegration of Rome

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The Disentegration of Romes Empire

• From Commodus to Romulus Augustulus
• 180-476

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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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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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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. Thank you Marius!!!
• Military mutinies, civil wars and exploitation of
  t replaced protection of the borders.

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Signs of trouble

• Internal unrest poor, slaves, Gaul, Egypt
  Judea
• Largephysical empire- 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

• Diocletian (285-305) and Constantine (306-337)
  Both 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 (285-305)

• To insure production of goods, farmers, artisans
  and unskilled workers had reside in their present
  location, 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, 306-337

• United the Empire under his rule

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First emperor to embrace Christianity Milvian
Bridge conversion
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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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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

• After killing Odovacer .an Ostrogoth king
  ruled Italy from RomeTheodoric.
• 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.