Fall of the Roman Empire

BEGINNING OF THE END

Pax Romana ended in 180
C.E.
Pax Romana: Latin for “Peace
of Rome”
When the Roman Empire was
at peace and successful for
206 years
Pax Romana was followed
by political instability
•Roman leaders gained power
from the military.

DEFENDING THE FRONTIER

Rome’s extended borders were
under constant attack
Rome lost territory
Roman armies were less loyal
to the Emperor after the Pax
Romana
•Rome began hiring mercenaries

•Mercenary: Soldiers who fight for
money

Rome didn’t have enough money
to pay them

SPIRALING ECONOMIC CRISIS

The Spiral

of

Inflation

The emperors
created more
coins.

People believed
the new coins
were not as
valuable.

It required more
coins to buy the
same amount of
food as before.

Roman

emperors

needed
money.

MANY TROUBLES

Rome made more coins to
fund the government and
military
This caused inflation

 Inflation: a general increase in prices
& fall in the purchasing value of money

These new coins lost value
because of inflation
The inflation and political
instability caused violent
unrest

REASONS FOR THE EMPIRE’S DECLINE

The Roman

Empire declined.

Political
instability

Military
conflict

Economic

crisis