ruled from 284-303
army has 400,000 people
big government- 20,000
Constantine
ruled from 306-337
built a new capital in the East (Byzantium, aka Constantinople)
Life of the Peasants in the 4th Century
country dwellers are becoming bankrupt by endless tax collection
new farming system: peasants work for elite landlords on large farms
peasants can avoid paying taxes but they are getting hit just as hard by the landlords
paying off debts and being "allowed" to live on the land, in exchange for endless back-backing work
landowners hold local power as counts and bishops, wielding more real power than the faraway empire
foreshadowing feudalism
Western Empire Crumbles
Rome's power is decreasing, while nomadic barbarians gain power
western Empire is too poor, begins to be neglected
Huns migrate from China to Eastern Europe
Visigoths take over Spain, and actually capture and loot Rome itself in 410
Vandals control Carthage and the western Mediterranean
other Barbarian tribes: Ostrogoth in Italy, Franks in Gaul, Angles and Saxons in Britain
End of an Era
from the beginnings: 500 BC (the monarchy is abolished), 450 BC (12 tables are established)
glory days: 44 BC (end if the line for Julius Caesar), 27 BC-180 AD (Pax Romana)
end: constant 5th century invasions by barbarians tribes left the western Roman Empire shattered and crumbling, the last emperor was a teenage boy installed in 475 by his father, barbarians deposed Romulus Augustulus without bothering to kill him
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