Paper B
To many people, the mention of the Roman Empire invokes thoughts of gladiators, debauchery, and the abuse of power. To others, it brings visualizations of classic statues, beautiful temples, and mythological gods. The Roman Empire was all of that and more. The saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” is true and its fall and decline happened gradually as well. Ancient Rome has inspired volumes of historical works, theatrical plays, and even movies in more recent times. More specifically, its fall and decline have fascinated people for centuries and there are harbingers who warn of current political trends that mimic Rome’s mistakes. Only a study of history could analyze the many theories for its ultimate failure. An understanding of the heights the Roman Empire reached is necessary to realize how great its fall was. Rome was a small village on Italy’s peninsula that had a location easy to defend with great potential for trade access. It was founded in 753 B.C.E. and began to develop as a city in 575 B.C.E. with construction of streets and temples. As shrewd politicians, diplomats, and wise businessmen, Romans expanded the city and added other communities with alliances or conquest. The historian Livy, detailed the moral values that helped Rome expand, such as determination, duty, courage, and military discipline (Spielvogel 120). Rome crushed revolts and continued to reach outward until Italy was under control, and eventually, the western Mediterranean. One
Rome's vast empire lasted for an amazing one thousand-year reign. Half of it referred to as the republic, and the other as the empire. However, after its fall in 5oo-a.d. Rome has still remained in existence through its strong culture, architecture, literature, and even religion (Spielvogel 175). Even after its disappearance as a nation Rome left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. Its ideals and traditions have been immolated, and adopted for over two thousand years. Whether, it is through its language of Latin, its influence of religion, or its amazing architectural ability Rome has influenced almost every culture following its demise. The heritage of Rome has
The Roman Empire was one of the most impregnable empires at it’s time. It conquered the Mediterranean Sea and was a well organized and blooming empire, at first. Many problems began to hit Rome straight in the face, three of the main problems that ended this magnificent empire were the economic problems, the weakness and vulnerability of their army, and the fallibility of the leaders and politics.
The fall of the Roman Empire was an ambiguous process that many historians still ponder, and the components that made up the deterioration of the Empire remain obscure. However, what many historians fail to realize that the decline of the Roman Empire was the epitome of cause and effect. Properly analyzing the history behind the process leads historians to realize that it was a chain of circumstances that began with the political corruption of the Western empire. It was the catalyst for many of the other principal reasons for Rome’s decline. Political corruption was a fundamental factor that led to economic failure and superfluous military spending, all which contributed to the fall of Rome. Document 3, Roman ambassador to the Huns, 449 CE, illustrates how political corruption tore apart
One of the greatest civilizations ever born was the Roman Empire. When it started off Rome was known as a “sleepy little town”(Background essay) that had awakened once the Greek empire began to fall. During the time of Julius Caesar was when Rome turned from republic to an Empire with Caesar as its first emperor. Soon over the years Rome became a powerhouse with its lands stretching all around the Mediterranean Sea. However unlike other civilizations where they fell because of other civilizations, Rome fell from within its walls because of several possible reasons and theories.
Rome, a grand empire, was known for its bloodshed and wealth, had a powerful period of conquering and culture. But why can an empire so huge and grand, fall to the ashes? Rome was a small settlement around 750 BC, then developed as the wealthy people grew weaker in Greece. Rome gradually expanded, as they conquered lands and made their small settlement into an empire. Even if a grand empire like Rome thrived on, they overcame problems that would lead to their fall. Through the use of primary and secondary source documents, this paper will explore the causes of the Roman Empire's ultimate downfall due to a combination of military problems, unstable government, and natural disasters and disease.
“We live in a dangerous world and we have a few good options, but the worst option is to do nothing.” Allan Trumbull. From the year 50 BCE till the year 200 CE, the empire prospered, as it slowly began to fall apart. Some of the reasons for the “Fall of Rome” were because of its internal problems due to Rome itself as others were external.
The Roman Empire: one of the world’s greatest ever civilizations, was in existence from 700 BC to 476 AD. Although the empire was not ever an extremely weak world power, it’s “highest” point in time was from about 50 BC to 200 AD. During this time period, it was at its all-time high. The empire spanned across what is today 3 continents (Asia Minor, Europe, Northern Africa), was home to 50 million people, and had a its capital city, Rome, had a population of 1 million people. But what can make such a huge world superpower collapse? The “Fall of Rome” can be accredited to a weakened central government troubled by political assassinations, disease, and foreign invasion, during the empire’s last century of sheer existence.
The fall of the Roman Empire was caused by many things from barbarian invasions to a failing economy, many things went wrong for this empire all at one time the economy started to fail and even the people stopped working and joining the army and I want to know why and in this paper I will be explaining how exactly such a strong and once prosperous empire fell so quickly. If we really want to figure what actually happened to the Roman Empire we must start at the beginning of the downfall and many believe this was in the year 295 A.D when the Roman Emperor Theodosius died and the empire was taken over by his two sons Arcadius in the east and Honorius in the west and they were relatively good emperors and many people loved Honorius and he was the staple emperor for the Western Half of The Empire. But then the barbaric invasions started 11 years later and that was really the start of the fall but they also had other problems besides that, many of the politicians were only concerned with beating each other out of the political positions and not focusing to much on the threat of the
Although the fall of Rome remains obscure, what many historians fail to realize is that the decline of the Roman Empire was the epitome of cause and effect relationships. Properly analyzing the fall of Rome leads historians to realize that a chain of circumstances, beginning with the political corruption of the Western empire, was a catalyst for superfluous military spending and economic failure, all which contributed to the fall of Rome. Because the Praetorian Guard would select the highest bidder and put him into office, the emperors would not represent the people as a whole and did not instill the beliefs that the people held. In Document 1, Roman Emperors, 235-285, a chart shows the inconsistency of the Roman emperors and the violence
Primarily social and economic factors influenced the downfall of the Roman Empire. External economic forces gradually brought their effects into the empire whilst internally Rome’s social fabric began to degrade. This socio-economic degradation seen in Ancient Rome is likely due to both Rome’s social and economic instability as well as the birth of the Christian faith in the Roman Empire. Part of the downfall of Rome can be attributed to external economic factors such as a lack of conquest and a large influx of slavery from without. Much of Rome’s economy “was fed by plundered wealth and by new markets in the semi-barbaric provinces” (Document 2.)
Ancient Rome grew to be one of the greatest empires in the world. Constantly gaining land and wealth, by 200 BCE Rome was a mighty giant, spilling over its borders, no longer an unremarkable settlement, but nothing less than a powerhouse (Primary Reasons for “Fall” of Rome). Sorrowfully, all great things must come to an end. In 5th century BCE ancient Rome shattered: The ferocious beast had fallen (Primary Reasons for “Fall” of Rome). As people recall their knowledge of Rome, a key point always comes back into play. How did Rome crash? Why did the grand empire fall? Three vital troubles led Rome to deteriorate: Rome had an attack of lethal, natural disasters and plagues narrowed its population; Rome’s upper class lost their edge; Rome had
Let's explore the factors that led to the eventual fall of one of history’s most powerful and influential empires. From about 50 BCE until the year 200 CE, the Roman Empire was the superpower of the Mediterranean world. During that time, the empire’s wealth,territory and international status grew and grew.But even as the empire prospered,it was slowly starting to fall.In this essay I will be telling how Rome fell,and i believe that rome fell because of a weak government,natural disasters and foreign invasion.
Rome was set to be a city of power, prosperity, and success. It had mountains, valleys, and rivers to allow the country to grow and develop agriculturally, economically, and socially. However, as Rome grew, their problems did, as well. They created new, more powerful, enemies, and they had an immense amount of political violence and instability. When Rome eventually fell, people didn’t know who was to blame. The fall of Rome was its own fault and could have been prevented people made different decisions.
What kind of technology in the Roman Empire affect its growth the most? I will be investigating from the start of the Roman Empire in 753 BCE to when the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE. This investigation will have a broad scope while investigating and include things from the Roman Legion to aqueducts and concrete. This investigation will not include technology that was not widely used to better the Roman Empire. The research question will answer my question by conducting research on how different groups of technology made the Roman Empire better based off of their potential uses and different contributions to Roman society.
When looking at a culture as prominent as Rome was in its time, a few questions come to mind. Many cultures and civilizations have existed over time, but very few have reached the complexity and reputation of Rome. Greece and Napoleon’s France are two of a very short list of these types of civilizations. To be able to understand Rome’s prominence, one must look at their origins. From there, one can delve into the main culture and analyze the civilization’s height. Did their beginning prompt their success? Did one large event propel them into the international field? Who were the leaders and what role did they play in Rome’s success? Finally, after looking at their success, their downfall must be analyzed as well. How could such a great empire fall after generations of success? In looking at each step in the Empire’s history, one can amass a wealth of knowledge about leaders and their tactics in making their civilization so great. Overall, Rome was a great civilization that gained its reputation through its leaders, its military and the culture of its people. This civilization still has an enormous impact on our own world today.