Understanding+of+how+and+why+the+collapse+of+empire+was+more+severe+in+western+Europe+(Rome)+than+it+was+in+the+eastern+Mediterranean+(Byzantine+Empire)+or+in+China+(Han+Dynasty)

Thesis:The end of the Western Roman Empire was much more drastic than that of the Byzantines because of outside invasion, loss of centralized government, and transportation as well as communication flaws. During the 5th century the Western Roman Empire was invaded by a series of Norse tribes beginning with the Gauls, then the Visigoths, Vandals, and lastly Ostrogoths who were able to take over the Western Roman Empire. Before these invasions, there was a problem in the political system with many people fighting for the position of Emperor. There were times when the emperor of Rome changed every week. There had also been a change of the capital from Rome to Byzantium causing a loss in centralized government for the the western half of the empire. The Roman Empire was gigantic; which led to some problems. There were transportation problems. It would take weeks for a simple message to be delivered to someone. There was also extensive military spending which left little money for the people and public services. The Byzantine Empire was able to suceed due to the fact that they were able to avoid the Germanic invaders that was plaguing their western counterparts. They were Rome for the next 1,000 years, while the other half failed to exist.

Western Roman
 * Invasions
 * Confusion of power, unstable government
 * Huge area to protect, poor comunication

Explain and analyze the interactions between Muslims, Jews, and Christians Describe interregional trading systems, e.g., the Indian Ocean and Silk Roads trade.

__//**VALIDATED: Taylor Walker, Phoebe M.**//__ (Not enough information, please, I'm begging you, use a dictionary.) __**VALIDATED:Mark Acosta**__ (Where is the info on Byzantine Empire? Alot more under Western Europe) __//**VALIDATED:**// **Alyssa Caputo**__(Info on Byzantine? Why was Rome's collapse more severe than Byzantine? More information please :])