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The Fall of Rome Podcast
15: The Death of the Roman Political System
Mar 30, 2017
Explore the factors contributing to the downfall of the Roman Empire including governance issues, economic decline, military weakening, and diminishing loyalty towards the Emperor. Learn about the challenges of taxes and military in the 5th century, and how the evasion of taxes had political consequences. Discover why the Roman political system fell due to economic decline, a weakened military, and a lack of legitimacy.
44:00
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Quick takeaways
- The shift from competent adult emperors to child emperors and feckless adults led to a decline in the authority and effectiveness of the Roman political system.
- The Roman Empire's inability to effectively collect taxes resulted in a reduced tax base and a significant impact on its financial resources and ability to maintain a standing army and effective bureaucracy.
Deep dives
Shift from Stable Emperor to Rule by Child Emperors
The Roman Empire experienced a shift from having stable and competent adult emperors, like Diocletian and Constantine, to being ruled by child emperors or feckless adults. This change in leadership affected the political system and decision-making processes. Generals and court officials took on more responsibility for governance, leading to a gradual erosion of the authority and effectiveness of the imperial office.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode