Katy,+Xander

= Rome's Downfall  = The first theory is that Rome fell because of many things. Firstly, between 235 and 285 A.D. over 20 emperors came, but most were murdered. External attacks, civil wars, social decay, and population decrease all led to destruction. A big cause was barbarians outside of Rome's territory. The soldiers were more interested in money than in defending their country. Traveling was unsafe, as theives and pirates took from those who did, and tax collection and commerence fell. Taxes were increased for those who were able to be taxed. The goverment of Rome didn't collect enough taxes, and to make up for it, decided to make more coins. This led to the values of their money to decreease, untill it had no value at all. Those who sold goods, raised their prices to acomadate these changes, and the economy failed. The people who still lived in the empire faced starvation and plague. Thes effects together caused a steady decrease in population, which made food shortages worse. Germans, who were stuck in Rome, killed Roman soldiers. Rome disppeared and the Dark Ages began in 476 A.D. We found this information [|here]. The second theory is that Rome fell because the empire was led by terrible emperors. The emperors split the empire into east and west, most focused on the east, and sent assintaints to the west. This was dangerous, especially if the two parties disagreed. It is said that there were 22 emporors who were bad leaders, but for different reasons. We found this information [|here]. Other problems due to bad leadership; Pressure between Leader and Senate, bad moral, corruption, and fast expantion. Constant wars, known military tactics, and the bad economy, lead to tax evasion and starvation. Unemployment of those who noramally work, cost of the games, decline in ethics and values, and slaves were big. Natural disasters, religon, and invasion were the major causes. This information was found [|here]. The third and final theory is that Rome fell due to seemingly silly mistakes. Lead pipes caused cancer, discriminatron that wasn't taken care of, and civil wars were moral and population losing. Birth control decreased the population, liberals, plebains in state affairs, and bankruptcy messed up. The Roman emporors were either just plain insane, or wern't worthy. Finaly, invasion was constant, and eventually killed the empire. The information in this theory were found [|here] and [|here].