Which of the following did NOT contribute to the fall of Rome?
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1 point
The empire’s size made it hard to defend its borders.
It took a long time to bring word of an invasion to the emperor.
People protested the gladiator games
Civil wars created massive economic problems.
People protesting the gladiator games did NOT contribute to the fall of Rome.
The option that did NOT contribute to the fall of Rome is "People protested the gladiator games."
To determine which of the following did NOT contribute to the fall of Rome, we can examine each option individually:
1. The empire's size made it hard to defend its borders: The vast size of the Roman Empire did contribute to its downfall. The Roman Empire expanded to such an extent that it became difficult to maintain and defend its borders, leading to vulnerability and eventual invasion by barbarian tribes.
2. It took a long time to bring word of an invasion to the emperor: This factor also played a role in Rome's decline. Communication and transportation systems were not as efficient as they are today, so it often took a significant amount of time for news of an invasion to reach the emperor. By the time the emperor became aware of an attack, it was often too late for a timely response.
3. People protested the gladiator games: While public sentiment and protests could have influenced the decline of the Roman Empire, it was not a primary cause. The gladiator games were popular forms of entertainment, and although there were occasional protests and unrest, they were not a major factor in the empire's overall downfall.
4. Civil wars created massive economic problems: This option directly contributed to the fall of Rome. The Roman Empire experienced numerous civil wars over its history, and these conflicts had a profoundly negative impact on the economy. Wars drained resources, caused a decline in agricultural productivity, disrupted trade routes, and weakened the empire's economic infrastructure.
Given this analysis, we can conclude that the option "People protested the gladiator games" is the one that did NOT contribute significantly to the fall of Rome.