Big Idea

Even after a civilization ends/declines, it continues to influence those that follow.

Essential Questions:

• What lasting contributions has Rome made to Western language, literature, architecture, religion, and government?

• Why was trade and expansion with/to other regions necessary for Rome's survival?

• What forces would lead to crisis and eventually to an end to the western Roman Empire?

Summative Project: Fall of Rome Report

Overview: The Roman Empire stretches across Mediterranean, its borders are wide and its are soldiers scattered from one end of the frontier to the other, more and more money pours into the military as the empire weathers attacks from the Visigoths, Vandals, and hundreds of others. First it crumbles and then, suddenly, breaks into two. For many it must have seemed like the world was ending.

What was it like to be there?

You and your team will act as reporters on the front lines of the Roman Empire's collapse. Dress in toga, write a script, and report on the Empire's final days in a recorded response.

Tasks:

1. Assemble a team of four.

2. Research four reasons for the Roman Empire's collapse and four ways in which Roman culture, government, or religion would continue to effect later civilizations.

3. Write a script which uses each team member as a reporter or participant in the events leading to the fall of Rome.

4. Record an excellent performance of your script while in costume.

5. Edit your film as needed.

6. Share your work with Mr. Jasper by the deadline.

If you're trying to figure out what to research, consider the following list:

Antagonism between the Senate and the Emperor

The Roman Emperor had the legal power to rule Rome’s religious, civil and military affairs with the Senate acting as an advisory body. The emperor had power over life and death. As in the old sayings "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely" and "Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it". The powerful, wealthy Roman Emperors inevitably became corrupt and many lived a debauched and immoral lifestyle. The Roman Empire saw divisions between the Senate and the Emperors. Either the Senate didn't like the Emperor or the Emperors were at odds with the Senate.

Political Corruption and the Praetorian Guard

The power of the Praetorian Guard, the elite bodyguards of the emperor, led to political corruption and grew to such an extent that this massive troop of soldiers decided on whether an emperor should be disposed of and who should become the new emperor! The story of Sejanus, who was the commander of the Praetorian Guard during the reign of Tiberius, illustrates the extent of their power. At one point the Praetorian Guard sold, at auction, the throne of the world to the highest bidder.

Fast expansion of the Empire

The rapid growth of the Empire led to the need to defend the borders and territories of Rome. The people of the conquered lands, most of whom were referred to as Barbarians, hated the Romans. Taxes on the foreigners were high and constantly increased. Frequent rebellions arose.

Constant Wars and Heavy Military Spending

Constant warfare required heavy military spending. The Roman army became over-stretched. The barbarians, who had been conquered, and other foreign mercenaries were allowed to join the Roman army; which all cost money.

Barbarian Knowledge of Roman Military Tactics

The knowledge that the Barbarians gained of Roman warfare and military tactics by serving in the Roman army were eventually turned against the Empire and led to the sack of Rome by the Visigoths led by an ex-army soldier Alaric.

Failing Economy

The Government was constantly threatened by bankruptcy. The cost of defending the Empire, the failing economics, heavy taxation and high inflation doomed the failing economy. The majority of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire failed to share in the incredible prosperity of Rome. The flow of gold to the orient to pay for luxury goods led to a shortage of gold to put in Roman coins. Roman currency was devalued to such an extent that a system of bartering returned to one of the greatest civilisations the world had ever known.

Unemployment of the Working Classes (The Plebeians)

Cheap slave labor in turn resulted in the unemployment of the the people of Rome who became dependent on hand-outs from the state. The Romans attempted a policy of unrestricted trade but this led to working class Romans being unable to compete with foreign trade. The government was therefore forced to subsidize the working-class Romans to make up the differences in prices. This resulted in thousands of Romans choosing just to live on the subsidies. The massive divide between the rich and the poor increased still further.

The 'Mob' and the cost of the 'Games'

The thousands of unemployed Romans became bored, which led to civil unrest and rioting in the streets. The 'Mob' needed to be amused; the gladiatorial games had to be provided. The cost of the gladiatorial games was born by the Emperors, and therefore the state, and corrupt politicians sponsored the games to curry favor and support with the 'Mob'. The cost of the gladiatorial games eventually came to one-third of the total income of the Empire.

Decline in Ethics and Values

Life became cheap; bloodshed led to more bloodshed and extreme cruelty. The values, the ideals, customs, traditions and institutions of the Romans declined. The basic principles, standards and judgments about what was valuable or important in life also declined. The total disregard for human and animal life resulted in a lack of ethics; a perverted view of what was right and wrong, good and bad, desirable and undesirable. Any conformity to acceptable rules or standards of human behavior were being lost.

Slave Labor

The number of slaves increased dramatically during the first two centuries of the Roman Empire. The Roman's dependency on slave labor led not only to the decline in morals, values and ethics but also to the stagnation of any new technology to produce goods more efficiently. Romans could rely on slave power for all their needs, and this reliance inhibited technological change and growth. The terrible treatment of slaves led to rebellion and several Servile (Slave) Wars, the most famous being the revolt led by Spartacus. In the later centuries of the Empire and with the advent of Christianity, the attitudes towards slaves changed. With manumission (the act of freeing a slave) the number of slaves declined together with the manpower that Rome depended upon.

Natural Disasters

During the time of the Roman Empire, there were not only foreign wars, civil wars, street fights, fires and revolts, there were also natural disasters such as plagues, famines and earthquakes. As in all periods and societies, the people looked for someone to blame and different religions to turn to for relief.

Christianity

Life and the future seemed hopeless for the millions who were ruled by Rome where an early death was almost inevitable. Christianity taught the belief in an afterlife which gave hope and courage to the desperate. Eventually a Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great, proclaimed himself a Christian and issued an edict promising the Christians his favor and protection. This caused religious divisions to form between people who could and could not leave the old faith of Rome.

Barbarian Invasion

Rome had fierce foreign enemies. There were great Barbarian armies consisting of warriors such as the Visigoths, Huns and the Vandals. The final death blow to the Roman Empire was inflicted by these Barbarians. The city of Rome was sacked by the Visigoths in 410 and by the Vandals in 455 signaling the disintegration of Roman authority and the Fall of the Roman Empire.

The Ancient City of Rome/Aqueduct failure

So what became of the Ancient City of Rome? The final destruction of Rome occurred in 537 CE during a siege on Rome by the Goths. The aqueducts which supplied Rome with water were destroyed. The people of Rome could not survive without water and the population of Rome fell by 90%.

Links:

• 40 Maps that help explain the Roman Empire

• Rome reconstructed in computer animation

• Study guide for quiz #1

• Study guide for quiz #2