Pick One of the Following Reasons That Caused the Roman Empire to Fall Or Use an Idea From

Fall of the Roman Empire Letter to the Editor

Pick one of the following reasons that caused the Roman Empire to fall or use an idea from the class video “Ancient Rome: Fall of an Empire”. Research the problems using the websites listed on this page to write an editorial. You are writing as if you are living in the time of Rome’s decline. The editorial should warn the leaders and the people of the dangers to the empire. The editorial should offer a solution or “call to action” of Roman citizens to avoid disaster.

• increasing attacks by barbarians
• moral decay
• cultural decay
• corrupt emperors, such as Commodus
• plague
• social hierarchy: gap between very wealthy and very poor
• class conflicts and economic problems
• civil wars
• rise of Christianity
• size of empire became unmanageable
• division of the empire into East and West

Write a short editorial. Write as if you are writing during the time of Rome’s decline. Make sure you cite at least one of the reasons listed above, or one from your own research. The editorial should warn the leaders and the people of the danger to the empire. You must list the source of your information. For example: textbook, video, or one of the following websites. The source listing must be in proper form. This is the example of how you would list the video:

Ancient Rome: Fall of an Empire. DiscoveryChannelSchool. 2004.
unitedstreaming. 15 May 2007
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Illustrated History of the Roman Empire: FAQ (see “Why did Rome fall?”

Fall of Rome: Decline of the Roman Empire

Roman Empire: The Fall of Rome

Malaria and the fall of Rome

Why Rome Fell

Grading Rubric Fall of the Roman Empire Letter to the Editor

1. Turn in your reason for the fall of the Roman Empire.

1. Turn in your notes from the video “Ancient Rome: Fall of an Empire.

1. Research your problem on the internet.

1. Write the letter to the editor in proper letter form. (Example: Dear Editor of the Daily Roman News, sign your name, remember you are living between 27 B.C. and 476 A.D.)

1. The letter needs to address the problem you selected.

1. Explain the danger to the empire

1. Offer a solution or “call of action”

1. cite sources correctly
2. turn in grading rubric