The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/the-decline-and-fall-of-the-roman-empire

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the traditional date of western fall?476 CE, marked by the deposition of Romulus Augustulus
2. What is the key reform emperor?Diocletian, known for the Tetrarchy and administrative division of the empire
3. What was the Pax Romana and why was it important?Pax Romana was a long period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire. It let people trade, travel, and build big projects without war.
4. Why did the Western Roman Empire start to fall?It fell because it was too big to manage, had many wars, used a lot of money, and had trouble keeping its soldiers and leaders in order.

Pax Romana: A long period of relative peace and stability experienced by the Roman Empire.
Tetrarchy: A system of rule by four emperors, implemented by Diocletian to manage the empire.
Byzantine Empire: The continuation of the Roman Empire in the East, with its capital at Constantinople.