1. Christianity became very popular. This made people in the Empire argue
Christianity became very popular. This made people in the Empire argue. As well as arguments, many people became monks so no longer had children. This meant the Empire had fewer people.
The Romans bought soldiers to fight and defend their Empire. They were not loyal to Rome though, and many betrayed the Romans and fought against them after they had been paid.
Rome had become very rich. Barbarians – non Romans who lived outside the Roman Empire – decided to fight to try to take some of the Roman Empire’s wealth (money). Rome had to build a gigantic army to fight the huge number of Barbarians. This cost money which they did not really have.
Plague – illness causing death – had become common in the Empire. Up to 5000 people died every day! This reduced the amount of people who could fight in the army.
In 476 AD, the Barbarians killed the Roman Empire and took over control of Italy. Although some of the Empire remained in the East of Europe, this can be seen as the end of the Roman Empire.
The Barbarian soldiers began to take over Roman land. Much of Africa was taken over, and Rome relied on food and trade from Africa to help them. 1

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