Exploring the Reasons for Rome’s Fall

TCI 7.1.1.3

1.3A

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon that make you think about what

is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think

about what is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what

is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what

is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what

is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what

is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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

What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what

is happening?

What are the similarities and differences between Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?

• 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