Which fact most clearly shows the difficulty in defending the Roman empire against invasion?
At its height, the empire likely had a population as high as 100 million.
At its height, the empire comprised nearly 1.7 million square miles of land and water.
Over the course of its history, the Roman empire built about 55,000 miles of paved roads.
The Mediterranean Sea stretches about 2,300 miles west to east and about 600 miles from Italy to the African coast.
The fact that the Roman empire comprised nearly 1.7 million square miles of land and water most clearly shows the difficulty in defending it against invasion. With such a vast area to protect, the empire would have to stretch its resources thin to defend its borders.
Short Answer Response: Answer in complete sentences.
What impact did the Imperial Crisis have on the Roman empire.
The Imperial Crisis had a significant impact on the Roman empire. It was a period of political instability, civil wars, economic and military decline, which weakened the power and authority of the emperor and the central government. This crisis ultimately led to the fragmentation of the empire and the rise of the military and provincial governors, who became more decentralized and independent. As a consequence, the empire became susceptible to external pressures, such as invasions and migrations from barbarian groups, which ultimately contributed to the fall of the Roman empire.
Short Answer Response: Answer in complete sentences.
Describe the changing attitudes of the Roman empire towards Christianity. What caused them to change their views?
The Roman empire initially viewed Christianity as a threat to its religious and social values, and persecuted Christians for centuries. However, in the early 4th century, Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity and made it a legal religion, ending the persecution. This led to a greater acceptance of the religion by the empire, and it eventually became the dominant religion under Emperor Theodosius in the late 4th century. The change in attitude towards Christianity was due to several factors, including political expediency, as Christianity gained more followers and influence in the empire, and the religion's ability to provide a unifying force and moral framework in a time of political and social instability. Additionally, the rise of influential Christian thinkers, such as Augustine of Hippo, helped to legitimize the religion in the eyes of the empire.
The fact that most clearly shows the difficulty in defending the Roman empire against invasion is that the Mediterranean Sea stretches about 2,300 miles west to east and about 600 miles from Italy to the African coast.
To understand why this fact presents a challenge for defending the Roman empire, let's break it down. The Roman empire encompassed a vast territory, spanning from Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. The Mediterranean Sea, acting as a natural barrier, surrounded much of the empire. While this helped protect the empire from land-based invasions, it also meant that the Romans had a large coastline to defend.
With a coastline stretching over 2,900 miles, it was challenging for the Roman empire to cover such a vast expanse of naval defenses. The Mediterranean Sea was a strategic trade route, but it also provided an avenue for potential invaders, such as pirates, rival powers, or barbarian tribes, to launch attacks from various directions.
Additionally, the vastness of the sea and the numerous access points made it difficult for the Romans to monitor and control all potential invasion routes effectively. The empire had to invest significant resources in maintaining a powerful navy, building coastal defenses, and patrolling their extensive coastline to protect against invasions from both land and sea.
In summary, the vast size and numerous access points of the Mediterranean Sea presented a significant challenge for the Roman empire's defense, making it harder to protect their extensive territory from invasion.