Learn on PengiIMPACT California Social Studies, Grade 6Chapter 10: Roman Civilization

Lesson 2: Rome’s Decline

Grade 6 students explore the fall of the Roman Empire in this lesson from IMPACT California Social Studies, Chapter 10, examining the interconnected causes of Rome's decline including political confusion, economic weaknesses such as inflation and the devaluation of Roman coins, and invasions by Germanic tribes and Parthian Persia. Students analyze how the breakdown of government authority triggered a chain reaction of civil wars, food shortages, and currency collapse that destabilized Roman society. The lesson also introduces Emperor Diocletian's reforms as a response to these mounting crises.

Section 1

Internal Causes for the Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Key Idea

By the 400s C.E., the mighty Roman Empire was rotting from the inside. A long line of weak and corrupt emperors made the government unstable. The empire also faced severe money problems, and its society was filled with unrest.

This internal weakness made it difficult to defend the empire’s vast frontiers from constant attack. Eventually, the combination of problems became too great. In 476 C.E., the last western emperor was overthrown, leading to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into many smaller kingdoms.

Section 2

Emperors Reform the Empire

Key Idea

As the empire weakened, strong emperors tried to save it. In 293 C.E., Emperor Diocletian believed Rome was too big for one person to rule. He divided the empire into four parts to make it easier to govern and control.

Later, Emperor Constantine reunited the empire under his single rule. In 330 C.E., he moved the capital from Rome to the eastern city of Byzantium. He renamed this new capital Constantinople, shifting the empire's center of power to the east.

Section 3

Germanic Tribes Invade the Empire

Key Idea

As Rome grew weaker, groups known as Germanic tribes moved toward the empire's borders. Many were fleeing the Huns, a powerful group of warriors from Central Asia who were conquering new lands. This created immense pressure on Rome's frontiers.

At first, some tribes were allowed to settle peacefully, but conflicts grew. The weakened Roman army could not stop them. In 410 C.E., a Germanic group called the Visigoths broke through the defenses and attacked the capital itself. This event, the sack of Rome, showed that the empire could no longer protect its most important city.

Section 4

The West Falls and the East Survives

Key Idea

The Western Roman Empire grew too weak to defend itself. In 476 C.E., a Germanic general took power from the last emperor in the west. This event marked the end of the Western Roman Empire, which broke apart into several smaller kingdoms.

The Eastern Roman Empire, however, did not fall. It was stronger and had more wealth. With its capital at Constantinople, this part of the empire survived for nearly 1,000 more years and became known as the Byzantine Empire.

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Chapter 10: Roman Civilization

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: The Roman Way of Life

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  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Rome’s Decline

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: The Byzantine Empire

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Section 1

Internal Causes for the Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Key Idea

By the 400s C.E., the mighty Roman Empire was rotting from the inside. A long line of weak and corrupt emperors made the government unstable. The empire also faced severe money problems, and its society was filled with unrest.

This internal weakness made it difficult to defend the empire’s vast frontiers from constant attack. Eventually, the combination of problems became too great. In 476 C.E., the last western emperor was overthrown, leading to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into many smaller kingdoms.

Section 2

Emperors Reform the Empire

Key Idea

As the empire weakened, strong emperors tried to save it. In 293 C.E., Emperor Diocletian believed Rome was too big for one person to rule. He divided the empire into four parts to make it easier to govern and control.

Later, Emperor Constantine reunited the empire under his single rule. In 330 C.E., he moved the capital from Rome to the eastern city of Byzantium. He renamed this new capital Constantinople, shifting the empire's center of power to the east.

Section 3

Germanic Tribes Invade the Empire

Key Idea

As Rome grew weaker, groups known as Germanic tribes moved toward the empire's borders. Many were fleeing the Huns, a powerful group of warriors from Central Asia who were conquering new lands. This created immense pressure on Rome's frontiers.

At first, some tribes were allowed to settle peacefully, but conflicts grew. The weakened Roman army could not stop them. In 410 C.E., a Germanic group called the Visigoths broke through the defenses and attacked the capital itself. This event, the sack of Rome, showed that the empire could no longer protect its most important city.

Section 4

The West Falls and the East Survives

Key Idea

The Western Roman Empire grew too weak to defend itself. In 476 C.E., a Germanic general took power from the last emperor in the west. This event marked the end of the Western Roman Empire, which broke apart into several smaller kingdoms.

The Eastern Roman Empire, however, did not fall. It was stronger and had more wealth. With its capital at Constantinople, this part of the empire survived for nearly 1,000 more years and became known as the Byzantine Empire.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 10: Roman Civilization

  1. Lesson 1

    Lesson 1: The Roman Way of Life

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2Current

    Lesson 2: Rome’s Decline

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: The Byzantine Empire

    LearnPractice