1. Why did the Roman Empire Fall?

2. Lasted a Long Time
Comparing Rome to British Empire, Mongol Empire, Soviet Union, USA, China
Rome= City/Republic est. 500 years
Empire est. 500 years
British= State est. 400 years
Empire est. 300 years
Mongol Empire= est. 200 years
Soviet Union= est. 75 years
USA= 236 Years
Chinese Dynasties= est. 4,500 years (several dynasties)
Arc of empires: Established – Rise- Height- Decline- Fall

3. 1st Theory: Lead poisoning caused a mental decline
Lead glaze in pots and cups
Lead’s effect on humans(next
Page)

5. 2nd Theory Plague During the Reign of Marcus Antonius (180 A.D.)
Possibly Smallpox
Estimates of 1/3 of empire’s population died- weakened military
Unable to push back against invaders
Social and Political unrest

6. 3rd Theory Failure to advance technology/relied too much on slave labor
Slavery in Ancient Rome different that slavery in the USA- could attain freedom, held many positions in society, sometimes children would not be slaves
20-30% of Empire was slave
Constant need for slaves in manual labor jobs. Technology was not solving the problem
Crops would go unpicked

7. 4th Theory: Political Turmoil/Civil Wars
Praetorian Guard Problems in 200s-
- weak emperors in Severens Period
- Constantine would abolish Guard in 312, but the Empire was already split
Civil Wars between generals, Augustus and Caesars
Lost of faith in rulers
Hereditary instead of best able to rule picked after five emperors

8. 5th Theory: Monetary Problems
Trade deficit with eastern half of the empire
Currency was not circulating- hoarding of gold by the upper class
Inflation- goods cost more than most could pay for

9. 6th Theory (most controversial)- Christianity/Christian Church was the overarching cause of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire

10. Controversial Gibbon Theory
Developed by Gibbon
- Knew the Roman Empire better than anyone
- Later 1700s: Enlightenment, backlash against Catholic Church

11. Gibbon Theory Continued
Weakened Roman virtues
- stoicism ideals of personal honor and glory diminished
- diminished role of military and political leaders
Powerful church leaders focused on conversion and submission rather than properly running a state and leading its people
Energies wasted on destroying pagan buildings, symbols, and people