in 180 marcus aurelius died. his son Commodus was cruel and wasted money.instead of ruling rome Commodus spent most of his time fighting as a gladiator. in 192 the emperors bodyguard killed him. nearly a century of confusion and fighting followed. after commodus a dynasty of emperors called severans ruled rome. much of their time was spent putting down revolts and protecting rome's borders. the
severeness stayed in power by paying the army well but they ignored the growing problem of crime and poverty
when the last serverans ruler died in 235 rome's government became very weak. for almost 50 years army leaders fought each other for the throne.during this time rome had 22 different emperors . poor leadership was not rome's only difficulty. fewer romans honored the old ideals of duty , courage and honesty. many government officials took bribes. as problems increased talented people often refused to serve in government . many wealthy citizens even stopped paying taxes. fewer people tender schools and a large number of the empire's people were now slaves. wealthy romns supported slavery because it was cheap way to get work done.
during the 200a rome's economy began to fall apart. as government weakened law and order broke down. roman soilders and invaders seized crops and destroyed fields. farmers grew less food and hunger began to spread. as the economy worsened people bought fewer goods. artisans produced less and shopkeepers lost money. many businesses closed . a plague or a disease that spreads widely also took its toll. it killed 1 out of every ten people
severeness stayed in power by paying the army well but they ignored the growing problem of crime and poverty
when the last serverans ruler died in 235 rome's government became very weak. for almost 50 years army leaders fought each other for the throne.during this time rome had 22 different emperors . poor leadership was not rome's only difficulty. fewer romans honored the old ideals of duty , courage and honesty. many government officials took bribes. as problems increased talented people often refused to serve in government . many wealthy citizens even stopped paying taxes. fewer people tender schools and a large number of the empire's people were now slaves. wealthy romns supported slavery because it was cheap way to get work done.
during the 200a rome's economy began to fall apart. as government weakened law and order broke down. roman soilders and invaders seized crops and destroyed fields. farmers grew less food and hunger began to spread. as the economy worsened people bought fewer goods. artisans produced less and shopkeepers lost money. many businesses closed . a plague or a disease that spreads widely also took its toll. it killed 1 out of every ten people