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Content: THE FALL OF ROME GUIDING QUESTION What effect did Germanic invaders have on the Roman Empire? When Diocletian left office in 305 C.E., conflict again broke out in the empire. A general named Constantine (KAHN.stuhn. TEEN) used this struggle to gain control of the Roman Empire. Constantine became the emperor of the West in 312 C.E. He then turned his attention to the East, where he defeated a rival to become emperor of both the East and West in 324 C.E. UNDERSTANDING CRAFT AND STRUCTURE CONSTANTINE'S RULE To improve the economy, Constantine issued several orders to reinforce the rules of Diocletian. Constantine also wanted a stable workforce and military. For example, the sons of workers had to follow their fathers' trades. The sons of farmers had to work their fathers' lands. The sons of soldiers served in the army. After taking power, Theodosius found the empire difficult to govern.