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In 133 BC, the Republic of Rome took control of the Mediterranean Sea. The empire was prosperous and strong, but eventually experienced a downfall. The fall of the Western Roman Empire was caused by internal decay in political and military issues, economics, soc ....

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.... army, the army did not succeed because these people did not have the same drive (as a Roman) to protect the empire. With these political and military issues, the empire weakened, and so did the economics. Economics of the empire hit an all time low with continued spending and high taxation to support the army. According to the excerpt by Herbert J. Meller, “while the empire was expanding, its prosperity was fed by plundered wealth and by new markets in the semi-barbaric provinces. When the empire ceased to expand, however, economic progress soon ceased.” Furthermore, the supply of gold was eroding as Rome was no longer bringing in new sources ....