Why Did Rome Fall Dbq Essay

The Roman empire lasted from 700 BCE until 476 Ce, and incredible 1,176 years. But how did Rome fall? Some say political squabbling. Others argue invasions. However, the downfall of Rome was due to military problems, and natural disasters. Earthquakes brought buildings to the ground, while illnesses killed thousands of innocent people. Also, the military was losing it’s edge. They decided to become lazy, beginning to think too much of themselves.
To begin, Document F states, “The population of Rome decreased from a milion people, to 250,000.” How did this happen? It was no other than a case of the measles, which is classified as a natural disaster. Natural disasters were the most harmful casualty to occur in Rome because no one in that time could prediction when they
would strike. Also, as explained in the previous quote, they killed the most amount of people and in the least amount of time. This would lead to many cracks in the Roman society, Document F also says, “Fifty thousand people have lost their lives in a flood in Alexandria alone.” This evidence supports how natural disasters crippled Rome because many people were being killed, and their was nothing that could've been done. Without people, the army would weaken, leading to a loss of land and resources. In addition, if there was a violent earthquake, or flood, Rome would of had to spend most of their money on rebuilding. Regarding the army, and the up-keep of the Roman society. Rome also, due to a smaller army, had to buy Germanic soldiers, When Rome fell, it was taken over by Germanic tribe. If the disasters never happened, the army would of never needed a vast amount of outsiders, and would of likely never fell.
Secondly, Document B explains that, “Because of negligence and laziness, parade ground drills were abandoned,” This is referring to the Roman army. Once Rome conquered an astonishing three continents, they're left with one question. What next? Soon the army had no one to battle, nothing to do. They started to think very much of themselves, leading to laziness, and neglect. The quote tells of the army abandoning drills, which also resulted in weakness. Document B also says, “They first asked the emperor to set aside breastplates..and then the helmets,” They is the army, who decide that protection was not a necessity, and therefore were beaten many times when fighting, mostly by archers. Once the Germanics started their invasions in 410 CE, the once Superpower of western Asia, was now being stepped on like doormats.
The opposite would argue that Rome possibly fell due to a fighting government.
This claim is reasonably untrue. Document F says, “In 336 CE, the Roman world was shaken by a violent earthquake.” Even if the Roman government was strong and fair, no one in that time period could predict, or stop, a natural disaster. For example, an earthquake. There is still no way science can predict when an earthquake will surface, leaving no doubt that Rome couldn’t either. A government could agree on anything, but if there is no way of telling the devastating future, no matter how powerful they are, the natural force can’t be stopped. Critics will argue that the government became weaken by natural disasters, but think. If the disasters never occurred, neither would the arguing government.
In conclusion, the fall of Rome should be thanked to weak militaries and unpredictable occurrences in nature. To recall, natural disasters had no warning signs, killing thousands of unknowing people, and reducing resources. In addition to an arrogant army that soon grew lazy, leading to loss of land, and spirit. From the start of Rome to its end, over a million people were killed because of these issues. No people means no
empire.