What would you say is one political, economic, and social reason why the empire fell?
I know for a fact that higher classes of people started to become uninterested in politics when Rome started to fall, but would that be considered a politcal reason why Rome's Empire fell?
:\ help?
2007-11-14 04:05:59 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Let me break it down slightly differently...
EMPIRES need to expand to survive... They typically use conquered resources to support their society. Clearly, this is the case with Rome. When they built Hadrian's wall in Britain, they created a border beyond which they would not expand. So, that is one reason they fell.... They stopped expanding.
DEVALUATION hit the empire due to over expansion. (Prior to building Hadrian's wall, they had expanded beyond their ability to effectively govern.) The power of a "regional governor" was enormous. So, being a "Roman" meant very little if you didn't live IN ROME. So, the citizenship of the conquered provinces was limited. ALSO: In 222 (not 100% sure of date) the emperor declared that EVERYONE was a citizen! Woo Hoo! right? WRONG. When "everyone is automatically a citizen" it means that "being a citizen has no value.... So, it was a devaluation double-stab...
2007-11-14 04:13:30 · answer #1 · answered by Andrew Wiggin 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The current theory is that the reason for the fall of the Western Empire (remember the East lasted a lot longer) was economic, as much as anything. It became difficult to collect taxes over such a vast area, therefore the central authority did not have sufficient money which led to (1) dissatisfaction at home as food supplies could not be paid for (2) dissatisfaction in the Army as that could not be paid. (2) led to a weakening of the army which could not properly resist 'barbarian' invasions'. North Africa, the 'breadbasket' for Rome fell including the port of Carthage which shipped wheat from North Africa, thus exacerbating the situation at (1)
2007-11-14 12:13:54 · answer #2 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they expanded their empire to far to be governed well. then when their armies were off fighting the barbarians attacked.
2007-11-14 12:16:24 · answer #3 · answered by ONeil C 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They over extended themselves.
2007-11-14 12:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by Level 12 Genius 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Try this website... It should help you out!
http://killeenroos.com/1/Romefall.htm
2007-11-14 12:14:53 · answer #5 · answered by pantsparty2103 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋