Decline in Morals and Values

Decline in Morals and Values

        By Helen Skilbred

               One reason for the fall of the Roman Empire was decline in morals and values. The Romans no longer valued human life and they became accustomed to violence and crime. Over time, this made cities unsafe and no one trusted one another. The emperors spent money on parties and drinking, when they could have been using it to advance the empire. Leaders using the citizens' taxes selfishly shows that they didn't care about the people. In addition, there were gladiator games at the Colosseum that were bloody and violent involving wild animals. The men looked forward to watching death and violence. Citizens did not see the gladiators as equals. 

                This decline in morals and values had the most effect on the wealthy. They used their money to do bad things, such as gamble and drink. People were cruel to both people and animals. "Lewd acts and sexual promiscuity were practiced." The emotional corruption in the Roman Empire caused it to fall apart from the inside out.