End of an Era

• Rome has economic issues
• Becoming hard to trade and sell things
• Military is getting weak
• Mercenaries
• Roman empire started raising taxes
• Diocletian  cut roman empire in 2
• Doing better in east
• West is still ancient
• In AD 324 Constantine became emperor of both halves of the empire
• Renamed capital
• After his death, empires divided again
• The last emperor was 13
• That’s it for the roman empire (AD 476)

Diocletian

• Born in Illyria
• He was the son of a freed slave who enlisted in  the ranks, worked his way up, was at last proclaimed emperor by his troops and subdued all rivals who contested to his throne
• After a reign of about 20 years, he retired
• Persecuted Christians
• 204-303
• In his view, Rome just needs a big army
• More government officials

Constantine

• Not ok to persecute Christians but its ok to be one
• Had an encounter with God

Edict of Milan

• Ending prosecution and proclaiming complete freedom of worship throughout the empire

• Taxes were raised
• Barbarians were taking over local levels and empire is crumbling

End of an era

• Empire came crashing down
• Look on blog for powerpoint
• Romulus agustus