In this Grade 5 World History and Geography lesson from Chapter 8, students explore the political, economic, and social factors that led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, including civil wars, plague, inflation, and barbarian invasions. Students examine how emperors Diocletian and Constantine attempted reforms such as the tetrarchy and the founding of Constantinople to stabilize the empire. The lesson builds cause-and-effect thinking around why one of history's greatest empires ultimately collapsed.
Section 1
Rome Faces Crushing Disasters and Invasions
Natural disasters, civil wars, and invasions by Germanic tribes and Persians weakened the Roman Empire during the third century, creating military and economic instability throughout the territories.
Section 2
Emperors Divide Empire to Prevent Collapse
Diocletian and Constantine split the empire into eastern and western regions with four prefectures, created a larger army and civil service, and established Constantinople as a strategic eastern capital.
Section 3
Economic Reforms Restrict Citizens' Freedoms
To combat inflation and labor shortages, emperors forced workers to remain in hereditary occupations, bound farmers to their land, and implemented unsuccessful price controls that ultimately stifled economic recovery.
Section 4
Germanic Tribes Transform Roman Territories
Pressured by the Huns, Germanic peoples including Visigoths and Vandals crossed Roman frontiers, sacked Rome twice, and gradually established independent kingdoms throughout the western provinces.
Section 5
Eastern Empire Survives as Western Rome Falls
While the Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 when Odoacer deposed Emperor Romulus Augustulus, the Eastern Roman Empire remained intact in Constantinople and would continue for another thousand years.
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Section 1
Rome Faces Crushing Disasters and Invasions
Natural disasters, civil wars, and invasions by Germanic tribes and Persians weakened the Roman Empire during the third century, creating military and economic instability throughout the territories.
Section 2
Emperors Divide Empire to Prevent Collapse
Diocletian and Constantine split the empire into eastern and western regions with four prefectures, created a larger army and civil service, and established Constantinople as a strategic eastern capital.
Section 3
Economic Reforms Restrict Citizens' Freedoms
To combat inflation and labor shortages, emperors forced workers to remain in hereditary occupations, bound farmers to their land, and implemented unsuccessful price controls that ultimately stifled economic recovery.
Section 4
Germanic Tribes Transform Roman Territories
Pressured by the Huns, Germanic peoples including Visigoths and Vandals crossed Roman frontiers, sacked Rome twice, and gradually established independent kingdoms throughout the western provinces.
Section 5
Eastern Empire Survives as Western Rome Falls
While the Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476 when Odoacer deposed Emperor Romulus Augustulus, the Eastern Roman Empire remained intact in Constantinople and would continue for another thousand years.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter