Exploring the Reasons for Rome’s Fall

TCI 7.1.1.3

1.3A

• Maintaining an army to defend the borders from barbarian attacks drained money from the government.

• Left few resources for public housing, and roads and led to loss of desire to defend the Empire.

• Soldiers were hired to protect the city, but they were expensive.

• Taxes paid by businessmen and farmers were raised.

1.3B

• Never created an effective system to determine emperor selection. Determined by old emperor, the Senate, the Praetorian Guard, and the army.

• In A.D. 186 they sold the throne to the highest bidder.

1.3C

• The last 400 years of the Empire, the scientific achievements of the Romans were limited to engineering and organizing public services.

• Built roads, bridges, and aqueducts and established first system of medicine

• No new machines or technology were invented and important goods were unable to be produced for growing population.

1.3D

• Inflation beginning after reign of Marcus Aurelius.

• No new land, no new gold.

• Gold used in coins decreased and coins became less valuable.

• Merchants raised prices on their goods sold and people began to barter.

1.3E

• Latter stages of Empire, unemployment became a problem.

• Slave owners sold crops for lower prices and farmers lost and sold their farms.

• There were too many men and not enough jobs in the city.

1.3F

• Most city dwellers in Rome were not wealthy.

• Lived in small, smelly rooms in apartment houses with 6 or more stories called islands.

• Higher your apartment, the cheaper your room.

• If rent could not be paid, you they were forced to move to the streets.

1.3G

• Final years of Empire had a decline in morals and values.

• Crimes of violence made the streets unsafe.

• Emperors like Nero and Caligula wasted money on lavish parties.

• Gladiatorial combats became glamorized and Rome became passionate for cruelty.

Ten Theories On the Fall of Rome:

• Barbarian Invasions

• Decline in Moral Values

• Environmental and Public Health Problems

• Excessive Military Spending to Defend the Empire

• Inferior Technology

• Inflation

• Political Corruption

• Rise in Christianity

• Unemployment

• Urban Decay