Which statements correctly define factors that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire?

Question

Choose all answers that are correct.

Responses

Rome could not grow enough food and maintain a large enough army to fend off barbarian tribes.

Rome could not grow enough food and maintain a large enough army to fend off barbarian tribes.

A long period of peace throughout the empire led to a sense of overconfidence in Rome.

A long period of peace throughout the empire led to a sense of overconfidence in Rome.

Incompetent rulers placed huge tax burdens on the Roman citizens.

Incompetent rulers placed huge tax burdens on the Roman citizens.

The empire split into three separate units, each ruled by a consul.

The empire split into three separate units, each ruled by a consul.

Answer 1

The following statements correctly define factors that contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire:

1. Rome could not grow enough food and maintain a large enough army to fend off barbarian tribes.

2. Incompetent rulers placed huge tax burdens on the Roman citizens.

The other two statements are not accurate:

• A long period of peace (Pax Romana) did foster a sense of stability, but it did not directly lead to the overconfidence that would cause decline in the same way the statement suggests.
• The statement regarding the empire splitting into three separate units ruled by a consul is misleading; while the empire did face divisions, it was more complex and did not happen exactly as described. The empire was divided into different regions, but not specifically into three units ruled by consuls.

Therefore, the first and third statements are the ones that correctly outline contributing factors to the decline.