The Fall of Rome
What were Rome's problems?
Rome had many different problems, some of were political and social. Rome's government became very weak after the last Severan ruler died. For almost 50 years different army officials fought each other to gain control of the empire and take over the throne. Poor leadership was not Rome's only problem, many government officials took bribes, as problems increased talented people started to refuse to serve in the government. Other problems included, fewer people attended schools also most of the population was slaves. Some of Rome's other problems were economic and military. Roman soldiers and invaders seized crops and destroyed fields, this caused farmers to grow less and hunger to spread.As the economy started to weaken people began to buy less goods cause artisans to produce less and many shopkeepers to loose money. Rome also suffered from a plague that killed every one out of ten people.
What changes did Diocletian and Constantine make?
Together Diocletian and Constantine made many changes, all of which failed to save the Roman Empire. Diocletian realized that the Empire was too big for one person to rule so he divided the it into four parts. He elected different officials to rule these areas but still kept control over them all. To help slow inflation he required that the prices of goods and the wages to be paid directly to workers. He also required that people stay at the same jobs until they died. Constantine also made other changes to the Empire that failed, he required the sons of workers to follow their fathers trades, the sons of farmers to work the same land that their fathers worked, and the sons of soldiers to serve in the army.
Who invaded Rome and why does it fall?
Rome was invaded by many Germanic tribes who were in search of a warmer climate and better grazing land for their cattle. Another thing that drew the Germanic tribes to Rome was Rome's culture and wealth, some of these tribes were fleeing the Huns. In 476 a Germanic general took control, marking the end of the Eastern Roman Empire. By 550 the Western Roman Empire had began to fade away. But many Roman beliefs and practices stayed the same, new rulers adopted the Latin language, Roman laws, and Christianity.
What was Rome's legacy?
Rome has influenced our life today in many ways, on example is our government. From Rome was have adopted many ideas about our government, like the idea that all people are equal under law, or the idea that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Not only did Rome influence our government but it has also influenced our culture, today many of our words come from the Latin language. Scientists, doctors, and lawyers still use some Latin phrases today. Not only did Rome influence our language but they also influenced the way we build, today we still make things out of concrete, also still use domes and arches when we are building. The Romans also influenced religion, Christianity was adopted by the Roman government in the 300s, helping it grow and spread.