The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

Paper Summary:

In an article from "History Today," Harold Perkin explains that, "Surplus extraction, without which civilization and decent human life are impossible, can too easily slip into exploitation and so lead to self-destruction" (Perkin 2002). This paper shows how the theory applies to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. It traces the growth of Rome's financial wealth and greed, especially by its rulers and the elite ruling class. The paper concludes that, although the rule of Roman Empire was long and glorious, greed and exploitation by the elites eventually blinded its rulers from the needs of its people and the dangers of its enemies.

From the Paper:

"As wealthy Romans invested abroad, loaned money at high interest rates, and created slave plantations, Roman financial operations became greater than the Greeks and Near Easterner (http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch15.htm). Rome was soon spending eighty percent of its budget on its military, increase in fraud rose as luxury items were imported from the east, however, since slaves did most of the work, freeman were poor and unemployed (http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch15.htm). Family feuds and violence were frequent, there was no medical professionals, and life expectancy was around forty years (http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch15.htm). "

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