Fall of the Roman Empire and Rise of the Franks

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The Fall of the Roman Empire

With an increase in invasions by the barbarians, the Roman Empire was defeated and 476 AD marks the official end of the Empire

Romulus Augustus was the last emperor of the Western Empire ruling until 4 September 476AD.

Poor rule: emperors were corrupt, spent large sums promoting themselves as gods and increasing taxes

Too many changes in government: 235-284 AD - 35 emperors (most were soldiers and assassinated)

Plagues: swept throughout Europe (5000 died per day)

Size: Empire was too big to govern; Diocletian tried to split the Empire into two, but it didn't solve the issue

Invasions: growth of barbarian societies meant more food required - conflicts with the Roman army

Trade collapsed: as the cost to maintain trade increases, goods were often looted, causing trade to dwindle

Tetrarchy: system of imperial succession, developed by Roman Emperor Diocletain

Diocletain divided the Empire into two; co-emperor ruled the northern provinces, and the eastern provinces for himself

In 293, both emperors were appointed a crown-prince, called a caesar (the augusti would retire, and the caesares would become augusti themselves, and appoint new caesares)

The Rise of the Franks

As the Romans receded into their Eastern Roman Empire, numerous tribes competed over the landholdings now vacate

Gaul - territory north of Italy

The Franks - tribe that would conquer Gaul and establish their kingdom in the late 5th century

Merovingians - first dynasty to rule the Franks

Clovis