Even as Rome was under attack from outside forces, it was al…

Even аs Rоme wаs under аttack frоm оutside forces, it was also crumbling from within thanks to a severe financial crisis. Constant wars and overspending had significantly lightened imperial coffers, and oppressive taxation and inflation had widened the gap between rich and poor. In the hope of avoiding the taxman, many members of the wealthy classes had even fled to the countryside and set up independent fiefdoms. At the same time, the empire was rocked by a labor deficit. Rome’s economy depended on enslaved people to till its fields and work as craftsmen, and its military might had traditionally provided a fresh influx of conquered peoples to put to work. But when expansion ground to a halt in the second century, Rome’s supply of enslaved people and other war treasures began to dry up. This would cause a labor shortage that disrupted agriculture production. This, in turn, created more stress on the already weakened economy. A further blow came in the fifth century, when the Vandals claimed North Africa and began disrupting the empire’s trade by prowling the Mediterranean as pirates. With its economy faltering and its commercial and agricultural production in decline, the Empire began to lose its grip on Europe. Other lesser economic issues included the wholesale hoarding of bullion by Roman citizens, the widespread looting of the Roman treasury by barbarians, and a massive trade deficit with the eastern regions of the empire. Together these issues combined to escalate financial stress during the empire's last days. QUESTIONS: Your response must be a minimum of 100 words. Why were the problems that led to economic crisis in the 3rd century? How did the Roman social class system contribute to this? Does this document support a social, economic, or political reason for the fall of Rome? Your answer must be in your own words- do not use direct quotes.  Your answer must be a minimum of 100 words.