Inflation

Inflation

By Jordan Peel

     Inflation, or the raising of prices, was a major contributor to the fall of the Roman Empire. As the Romans stopped conquering new lands, the flow of gold into the Roman economy decreased. Gold was valued by Romans for its beauty. It was used in coins for trade. The decrease in gold made many people start to barter instead of using coins. 

     Soon, the prices of goods increased. As the amount of gold in coins decreased, they became less valuable. Salaries had to be paid in food and clothing. Taxes were paid in fruits and vegetables. People began to use coins less and less until they became of no value. People paid with only their household goods and traded using a barter system. The raise in prices and paying with household goods left people low on resources and ran the empire into the ground. Inflation was a major factor that contributed to the fall of Rome.

Green:raise in prices   Red:amount of gold