The Fall of Rome: Unemployment

Unemployment
Written by Darius McLaurin

Unemployment played a major role in the decline of the Roman Empire. It all started off when farmers who had to pay men to help with crops and farm work could not compete with those who owned slaves. Due to the fact that the farmers had to pay his men, he would have to raise prices on the crops and food he sold. But those who owned slaves did not have to pay the slaves and could have cheap prices on their crops to sell. So most people and citizens bought the slave owner goods because they were cheaper and well priced. So the other farmers could not compete with this and had to either sell or altogether loose there farm. These farmers went to the city looking for jobs but there were no openings and all job spaces were filled. These farmers had no choice but to live on the streets and fen for themselves. The Emperor saw this and ordered a shipment of grain to feed about 100,000 people. The citizens saw this as a mistake because they said "what a waste of money, most of these people have gone to become criminals and trouble makers." So with this said some people believe that this is one factor that lead to the fall of Rome.