1. Fall of the Roman Empire

2. The Roman Empire

3. 1. Decline in Morals and Values Crimes made larger cities unsafe Emperors wasted money on parties (Nero and Caligula) Coliseum events

4. 2. Public Health Many wealthy people had water brought to their homes through led pipes Interaction of the public (Spread of disease) Alcohol use increased (incompetency of the general public)

5. 3. Political Corruption It was always difficult choosing a new emperor (never came up with a system) Army would sell the throne to the highest bidder

6. 4. Unemployment Farmers lost or sold their farms Cities filled with unemployed people Emperor imported grain

7. 5. Inflation Once the Romans stopped conquering new lands, the flow of gold into the Roman economy decreased. But much gold was being spent by the Romans to pay for luxury items

8. 6. Urban Decay Wealthy Romans lived in a domus or house (marble and tile, glass windows) Most lived in apartments with six or more stories (called islands) Each Island covered an entire block. At one time there were 44,000 apartment houses within city walls

9. 7. Inferior Technology Romans relied so much on human and animal labor they failed to invent many new machines for new technology Could not produce enough food for the growing population

10. 8. Military Spending Maintaining an army to defend the border of the empire from barbarian attacks was a drain on the government This took money away from other important things Frustrated Romans lost their desire to defend the empire.