1. Exploring the Reasons for Rome’s Fall
TCI

2. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon that make you think about what is happening?
1.3A

3. Maintaining an army to defend the borders from barbarian attacks drained money from the government.
Military spending 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.

4. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what is happening?
1.3B

5. The Romans never created an effective system to determine how emperors should be selected.
Emperors were chosen by the old emperor, the Senate, the Praetorian Guard, and the army.
In A.D. 186 they sold the throne to the highest bidder.

6. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what is happening?
1.3C

7. In the beginning period of the Empire, the scientific achievements of the Romans included engineering and organizing public services.
They built roads, bridges, and aqueducts and established the first system of medicine.
Towards the end of the empire, no new machines or technology were invented and important goods were unable to be produced for the growing population.

8. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what is happening?
1.3D

9. Inflation began after reign of Marcus Aurelius.
When the Romans stopped conquering new lands, there was no new gold or wealth coming in.
The amount of gold used in coins decreased and coins became less valuable.
Merchants raised prices on their goods sold and people began to barter.

10. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what is happening?
1.3E

11. In the latter stages of the 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.

12. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what is happening?
1.3F

13. Most city dwellers in Rome were not wealthy.
Plebians lived in small, smelly rooms in apartment houses with 6 or more stories called islands.
The higher the floor of your apartment, the cheaper your room. Views were not yet considered valuable.
If rent could not be paid, they were forced to move to the streets.

14. What details, symbols, actions, and words do you see in this political cartoon the make you think about what is happening?
1.3G

15. In the final years of Empire there was 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.

16. Ten Theories On the Fall of Rome:
Barbarian Invasions
Decline in Moral Values
Environmental and Public Health Problems
Excessive Military Spending to Defend the Empire
Inferior Technology
Inflation
Political Corruption
Rise in Christianity
Unemployment
Urban Decay