Solutions+to+Rome's+problems

Problems with money, agriculture, military and politics

What possible solutions could the Romans have explored? Political problems

Economic Problems
 * empire stopped expanding which meant no new sources of wealth
 * empire raised taxes, which caused hardships for people
 * decline in agriculture: constant warfare and land overuse destroyed farmland
 * technology had not improved due to heavy reliance on slaves (no new tools)
 * food shortages caused unrest
 * big economic gap between rich and poor

Military Problems
 * constant warfare
 * heavy reliance on mercenaries: lacked loyalty to Rome
 * soldiers became less disciplined and loyal
 * pledged allegiance to military leaders, not to Rome

Political Problems
 * empire was too big to govern effectively
 * news was slow to get to distant regions of the empire
 * leaders weren’t aware where problems were developing
 * government officials were corrupt
 * inexperienced leaders
 * empire divided
 * Romans no longer felt a sense of duty to Rome

Social Problems
 * education costs increased; difficult for poor people to become educated
 * food shortages
 * big economic gap between rich and poor
 * Romans no longer felt a sense of duty to Rome