Purchase Solution

What factors led to the decline of the Roman Empire?

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Discuss the decline of the empire and the last Caesars, what were some of the factors that weakened that empire? Please explain. Do you see any of those things happening in your own nation today? Do you think that might be significant?

Of course whole books have been written on this subject so a one page paper, of necessity, will be very simplistic. With that in mind here are the major reasons contributing to the decline of the Empire.

Multi-cultural and multi-ethnic citizens rather than homogenous. There was no such thing as a typical Roman. You could be German, Irish, Frankish, Moorish and also be Roman. There was no set standard of values to adhere to.

High taxation was required to maintain the empire. The borders had to be protected and roads and aqueducts maintained. Troops had to be paid. Gladiatorial games were very expensive to put on. For all of these things the government needed money and so taxes were continually being raised.

A disconnect between the ruling class and the common people. While the Caesars and patricians lived lives of luxury and excess the plebian poor suffered in a day to day existence.

Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

This is a discussion of the factors that led to the decline of the Roman Empire. Also included are ideas about how some of those factors are evident in our own society today and whether they are significant factors or not. Over 675 words of original text as well as links to websites with additional information.

Solution Preview

Discuss the decline of the empire and the last Caesars, what were some of the factors that weakened that empire? Please explain. Do you see any of those things happening in your own nation today? Do you think that might be significant?

Of course whole books have been written on this subject so a one page paper, of necessity, will be very simplistic. With that in mind here are the major reasons contributing to the decline of the Empire.

? Multi-cultural and multi-ethnic citizens rather than homogenous. There was no such thing as a typical Roman. You could be German, Irish, Frankish, Moorish and also be Roman. There was no set standard of values to adhere to.
? High taxation was required to maintain the empire. The borders had to be protected and roads and aqueducts maintained. Troops had to be paid. Gladiatorial games were very expensive to put on. For all of these things the government needed money and so taxes were continually being raised.
? A disconnect between the ruling class and the common people. While the Caesars and patricians lived lives of ...

Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
The Transatlantic Slave Trade

Basic quiz about the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

America Fighting for Good - World War II : 1940 - 1945

The quiz will test your knowledge of America and its role in World War II - how it avoided the war, got involved and emerged as a world power and forever losing its isolationist policy.

The U.S. Constitution

How much do you know about the U.S. Constitution? Test your knowledge with this short quiz!

The French Revolution

This quiz covers the first French Revolution of 1789-94.

Imperialism in China

The quiz is about the competition of the imperial powers in the Far East to control the territories of China and Korea. It also reflects the factors which led to World War I

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Roman Empire

    73110 Factors implicated in the decline of the Roman Empire are noted.

  • Roman History

    Some would argue that this led to the downfall of the Roman Empire. This solution discusses how the Roman Empire developed from an empire controlled by Rome to an empire in which Rome was simply the biggest city. References are provided.

  • The Western and Eastern Roman Empire

    148766 200 Word Essay Help/Roman Empire How and why was the history of the eastern half of the Roman Empire so different from the western half? What factors contributed to the growth of a distinctive Western European culture?

  • Roman Empire Longevity

    Doing so stopped rebellion and conquered peoples were able to enjoy the safety and benefits of 'being Roman' which in turn led to the Empire's longevity.

  • The Emergence of Europe out of the Roman Empire

    It is this autonomy that in the end led to the decline of the Empire. Government, Autonomy & Monarchy Now, when the Empire fell, we had certain systems of social order or government that came to be. First we had feudalism.

  • A eulogy for the Roman empire

    204412 A eulogy for the Roman empire Resources to create a eulogy for the Roman Empire are offered. As you write a eulogy to commemorate the fall of the Roman Empire, please allow some of my ideas to help.

  • How Rome Became a Great Empire

    By the 1st century BC, the Roman Republic ruled a vast amount of land and continued to expand until the Middle Ages when it went into decline. History of Rome. Rome Information.

  • Foreigners

    Thus, one only has to look to the personality of the emperor to predict how the Roman Empire and the Roman government relate to foreigners.

  • Major Factors Allowing Incas Rule

    led to colapse of democracy.

View More Related Solutions