The Fall of Rome Causes

The Fall of Rome Causes

1. Weakening of Economy

   • inflation
   • unemployment
   • cost of government and military increased
   • pirates and barbarians disrupted trade
   • welfare system
   • lots of food shortages due to overworked land
   • population decline
   • taxes were raised

2. Military Causes

   • soldiers had their loyalty to their general instead of to Rome
   • poorly trained armies
   • threat of huns
   • series of germanic invasions
   • corruption

3. Political Causes

   • corruption
   • empire was getting bigger, harder to control
   • loss of popular support
   • division of empire
   • unloyal military
   • lack of organized system of succesion

4. social causes

   • rich getting richer, poor getting poorer
   • population decline
   • rise of christianity
   • increase in rebellions
   • bread and circus
   • loss in sense of patriotism