Fall of the Western Roman Empire The Roman Empire was doomed to crumble and fall from the beginning. The specific reason for it’s infamous decline could stem from many different reasons. From my point of view, I believe Rome’s internal decay, economic collapse, and the infiltration of barbarians contributed to the disintegration of the Roman Empire. One of the many reasons why, one of the largest, most influential empires of ancient times perished, was because of internal decay. The gap between the wealthy and the impoverished grew larger, causing the majority of the population to be routinely ostracized from political responsibility; including serving in the army. [Doc.1] Also, due to the introduction of Christianity, the active virtues of society were discouraged, and the remains of military spirit were buried in the cloister. [Doc.2] According to; Strayer, Gatzke, and Harbison; the authors of ‘The Course of Civilization;’, Rome’s inability to protect themselves, serve in the army; because of the majority of the population being …show more content…
That led to a staggering tax inflation, and caused the heart of Rome’s workforce to be squashed. As a consequence, the fiber of the citizens was weakened. [Doc. 4] Even as the workforce was crushed, the unemployment still continued to grow. The abundance of slaves ruined free farmers’ businesses and caused the growth of the latifundia. Slave work kept wages low for any available jobs. [Doc. 3] Due to the low economy, Rome’s military was torn in half. They were forced to hire German’s to defend their land. American Historian; Herbert J. Muller ’s point of view of slavery was valid. He considered slavery; which led to the growth of the latifundia, what ruined farmers and kept unemployment and wages low. Muller identifies the abundance of slaves and markets in the “semi-barbaric” provinces as the source of the economic
The Roman Empire was without a doubt the most powerful governing body in its day, but it had fallen! There was not any single cause for the fall of Rome. Many things occurred in a short period of time, which lead to the fall of such a powerful empire. Why did Rome fall? Some of the reasons that caused the fall of Rome was Natural disasters, a weak military, and the collapse of their economy.
What Caused the Roman Empire to Breakdown The once powerful Roman Empire has fallen, how did this happen? Rome was once a powerful and intense empire. It fell in a way you may have never guessed. The fall happened because of laziness in the empire.
One day, they had decided to separate Rome into two parts: The Western Half and the Eastern Half. But the Eastern Half had more power than the other, so they were uneven. According to Document E, it states that “A [wealthy lawbreaker] … is not punished for his injustice, while a poor man … undergoes the legal penalty.” This means that the poor and the rich were mistreated. The poor people were punished when guilty, but the rich aren’t. Also, “taxes are very severe, and unprincipled men inflict injuries on others.” This can be troubling for many Romans because needing to pay taxes and to get hurt in the process will make others need to pay even more for medical
The Roman Empire was one of the most popular empires that there ever was. It was also one of the largest as it went as far as Memphis in the South and Europe in the North (document 3). The empire’s location was not the best. Water practically surrounded the entire empire. The Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and Caspian Sea were all ports of water around it. However, that did not hold back the empire’s power, as it quickly adapted and used it to their advantage. Sea trade, deep harbors, and roads are a few of the ways that the Roman Empire used their location to help themselves.
During it's time Rome was one of the biggest powerhouses on the planet. Rome had many achievements but what comes up must come down and Rome eventually fell. Some people still don't know what the main reason why rome fell but there are a couple of reasons it fell. Some reasons our having a weak army, political and leadership problems, and economic problems. Here is some evidence why Rome fell.
The ancient Roman Empire lasted from 500 b.c.e to 500 b.c, around the Mediterranean Sea. The ancient Roman Empire declined because of their military, economic, and political problems. Those three issues were the main causes of the decline of the Roman Empire. One of the causes of the Roman Empire to decline was the military issues such as the enemies they made and the number of people exempt from the army draft.
The Decline of Rome The most significant factors that contributed to the downfall of the Western Roman Empire were barbarian invasions due to a weakened military and a meager population that held resentment towards Rome. These problems converged and created a domino effect that was able to topple the formerly strong and dignified Roman Empire. Rome had lost the essence of what made the Roman empire Roman. This included a disciplined and driven military made of many soldiers who believed in Rome and its power.
Rome began in 31 BCE when Augustus Caesar became the first emperor of Rome, and the Roman empire was a significant and powerful western civilization with a complex political, religious, and social system by 117 CE (Mark, Roman Empire). From the parallel streets in cities of the Roman empire to the layout of the Roman forum to the living structures of the different classes, the Roman empire at this time was highly organized and methodical. And these are but a few examples of the power and authority of the Roman empire, which clearly put the citizens in their place. Looking at Rome and Pompeii, ancient art, building structures, and city layouts clearly stratified citizens based on economic and social status.
“The most worthless of mankind are not afraid to condemn in others the same disorders which they allow in themselves; and can readily discover some nice difference in age, character, or station, to justify the partial distinctio,” (Edward Gibbon) The first reason the Roman Empire fell was due to the different foreign invasions. The first way foreign invasions had contributed to the decline of Rome was through how the Huns were strong and savage. For example, “Fired with an overwhelming desire for seizing the property of others … Their destructive way amid the pillage and slaughter of those who live around them,” (Ammianus Marcellinus).The way this explains the fall of Rome through foreign invasions that the Huns invaded the roman territories
The End of a Glorious Empire The Roman Empire was one of the most prominent and potent empires of its time. This mighty empire stretched from Spain to Asia Minor. It lasted from the year 31 BC to 476 AD. Sadly, it drastically declined in a short period of time.
The Roman Empire is well known throughout the world. Rome is known for many things, like being one of the longest lasting empires and its progressive ways of thinking for the time. Both of those reasons are true, however the Roman government was really the jewel of the empire. From the slightly democratic running to the praetors and the Senate, the Roman Republic made a big statement. Before the Romans came up with the idea of a republic, Rome had a king.
While the fall of the Roman Empire is well known, the exact causes of why it fell can be difficult to pinpoint. Many historians believe that Rome 's downfall was due to poor leadership, weakened economics, or perhaps a combination of the two along with other seemingly unrelated factors. However, there is a string of evidence suggesting that there were three main components that took place to bring about the fall of the Roman Empire. These determinant attributes did not happen all at once, and there was a domino effect with each one directly influencing the others. The fall of Rome occurred after a series of preventable events, including unacceptable emperors, the heavy reliance on slaves, and the increasingly uncontrollable borders of Rome.
The Roman Empire was a vast territory that expanded to three different continents.They were a place of honor, tradition, and respect. Rome has had several different periods, some of peace, and some of violence or unrest, but those were solved quickly and effectively. However, such a magnificent empire could not hold up under the strains that were slowly causing it to collapse. Rome began to face many problems that together allowed the fall of the Roman Empire. The three main problems that caused Rome to fall were invasions by barbarians, an unstable government, and pure laziness and negligence.
The dynamics of Roman imperial society are diverse, with the factors of slaves and freedmen playing major roles in defining the social hierarchy and culture of the empire. Opinions were varied on the dignity of freedmen, however it is undisputed that they provided invaluable contributions to society in economic, demographic and cultural
But a debtor in the early days of Rome was especially wretched. If he could not repay his debt, he was liable to be made a slave to his creditor.” This seems like a very unfair and brutal practice to punish the poor citizens who already struggling due to inequality. One can only imagine the kind of stress and pain that this sort of treatment caused the plebeian class. Therefore, it is quite understandable as to why a positive change in the economic and political structure was desperately needed.