Exploring the Reasons
for Rome’s Fall
TCI 7.1.1.3
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see
in this political cartoon that make you think about what
is happening?
1.3A
• Maintaining an army to defend
the borders from barbarian
attacks drained money from
the government.
• Left few resources for public
housing, and roads and led to
loss of desire to defend the
Empire.
• Soldiers were hired to protect
the city, but they were
expensive.
• Taxes paid by businessmen
and farmers were raised.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you
see in this political cartoon the make you think
about what is happening?
1.3B
• Never created an
effective system to
determine emperor
selection.
Determined by old
emperor, the Senate,
the Praetorian Guard,
and the army.
• In A.D. 186 they sold
the throne to the
highest bidder.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see
in this political cartoon the make you think about what
is happening?
1.3C
• The last 400 years of the
Empire, the scientific
achievements of the Romans
were limited to engineering
and organizing public services.
• Built roads, bridges, and
aqueducts and established first
system of medicine
• No new machines or
technology were invented and
important goods were unable
to be produced for growing
population.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see
in this political cartoon the make you think about what
is happening?
1.3D
• Inflation beginning after
reign of Marcus Aurelius.
• No new land, no new
gold.
• Gold used in coins
decreased and coins
became less valuable.
• Merchants raised prices
on their goods sold and
people began to barter.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see
in this political cartoon the make you think about what
is happening?
1.3E
• Latter stages of
Empire,
unemployment
became a problem.
• Slave owners sold
crops for lower prices
and farmers lost and
sold their farms.
• There were too many
men and not enough
jobs in the city.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see
in this political cartoon the make you think about what
is happening?
1.3F
• Most city dwellers in
Rome were not wealthy.
• Lived in small, smelly
rooms in apartment
houses with 6 or more
stories called islands.
• Higher your apartment,
the cheaper your room.
• If rent could not be paid,
you they were forced to
move to the streets.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see
in this political cartoon the make you think about what
is happening?
1.3G
• Final years of Empire had
a decline in morals and
values.
• Crimes of violence made
the streets unsafe.
• Emperors like Nero and
Caligula wasted money
on lavish parties.
• Gladiatorial combats
became glamorized and
Rome became
passionate for cruelty.
What are the similarities and differences between
Ancient Rome and America today on this issue?
Ten Theories On the
Fall of Rome:
• Barbarian Invasions
• Inferior Technology
• Decline in Moral Values
• Inflation
• Environmental and
Public Health Problems
• Political Corruption
• Excessive Military
Spending to Defend the
Empire
• Rise in Christianity
• Unemployment
• Urban Decay