* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download THE FALL OF ROME
Roman infantry tactics wikipedia , lookup
Constitutional reforms of Sulla wikipedia , lookup
Ancient Roman architecture wikipedia , lookup
Roman army of the late Republic wikipedia , lookup
Military of ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Roman funerary practices wikipedia , lookup
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest wikipedia , lookup
Roman Republican governors of Gaul wikipedia , lookup
Roman historiography wikipedia , lookup
Romanization of Hispania wikipedia , lookup
History of the Roman Constitution wikipedia , lookup
Travel in Classical antiquity wikipedia , lookup
Roman economy wikipedia , lookup
Education in ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Culture of ancient Rome wikipedia , lookup
Early Roman army wikipedia , lookup
Food and dining in the Roman Empire wikipedia , lookup
THE FALL OF ROME Ten causes for the Fall of Rome ► 1. Barbarian Invasions ► 2. Decline in Morals and Values ► 3. Environmental / Public health ► 4. Excess military spending ► 5. Inferior Technology ► 6. Inflation ► 7. Political Corruption ► 8. Rise in Christianity ► 9. Unemployment ► 10. Urban Decay 1. Barbarian Invasions ► By the 4th Century AD many Germanic tribes were invading the Roman Empire crossing the Rhine and Danube Rivers. ► In AD 378 the Visigoths (a Germanic group) defeated the Romans at the Battle of Adrianople. ► By AD 476, the last Roman emperor was overthrown in Rome as a Gothic leader, Odoacer, captured Rome. 2. Decline on Morals and Values ► The flooding to the cities of migrants and unemployed led to rising crime rates. ► Many wealthy Romans stopped paying taxes and became corrupt. ► Increase in blood sports led to high crime and violence in the streets. 3. Public Health ► Lead poisoning from lead pipes ► Alcoholism was a growing problem ► Contagious diseases spread through cities ► Rise in homeless attributed to a declining economy. 4. Excess Military Spending ► The Romans had to spend a large portion of their tax revenues on defending the empire. ► Foreign soldiers were hired and were expensive and were not reliable. ► Constant barbarian attacks was a constant strain on the Roman treasury 5. Inferior Technology ► Romans relied on slave labor and did not create new forms of labor technology. ► The Romans were no longer able to conquer other civilizations and adapt their technology. ► Roman soldiers were fighting barbarians with increasingly better weapons, armor, and tactics. Why didn’t Roman Technology continue To improve over time? 6. Inflation ► Romans started putting less gold into their coins ► Gold was used for luxury items and not coins and people stopped valuing coins. ► People started to barter and this caused trouble in the empire. Less gold in the coins decreased The value and increased inflation. 7. Political Corruption ► No laws how to select an emperor led to civil wars and political assassinations ► During a 100 year period, Rome had 37 different emperors and 25 were assassinated. ► Wealthy leaders were able to pay for political office ► The Praetorian Guard (Rome’s guard) were bribed to support certain leaders over others 8. Rise in Christianity ► Many historians feel that as the Romans became more Christian they became less warlike and were unable to defend the empire. ► As Christians many Romans turned to Jesus and not the emperor as the leader. 9. Unemployment ► Small farmers lost land to large farms owned by wealthy Romans. These large farms were called latifundias. ► Small farmers had to pay for workers larger farming plantations used slaves and had less costs. ► Many farmers became unemployed and fled to the cities (making the cities overcrowded) 10. Urban Decay ► Most Romans were not wealthy and lived in small crowded apartment houses called an insulae. ► The living conditions were dirty and this causes sickness ► Some public buildings became expensive to maintain and started to fall apart ► Places became abandoned as the poor couldn’t afford to live there anymore. Detroit c. 2014