THE DECLINE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

Abstract

During the Late Empire, Rome had a very large territory. This state was in a state of deep decline in the 4 – 5^th centuries. The level of agriculture decreased, most of the land was not cultivated, taxes were collected with crops, trade was limited, cities lost their importance, centers moved from cities to villages, and relations between provinces weakened. The decline of the empire, which began especially in the western provinces, was associated with the crisis of the slave – based production method from the end of the 2^nd century AD. Slavery gradually became a serious obstacle to the development of society. As a result, farms based on slave labor lost their importance and began to demand a change in the entire system. Colony acquired special importance in the economy of the late Roman Empire, playing an important role in the emergence of new feudal relations. In the western provinces of the empire, the internal structure of large landownership changed, and latifundia based on slave labor were replaced by villas. The emphyteusis system was widespread throughout the empire. However, the measures taken, the reforms carried out, the political and economic changes could not prevent the gradual collapse of the Roman Empire and the emergence of feudal relations. This state could not maintain its power and the unity of the country in the conditions of the crisis of the slave system, and at the end of the 4^th century AD the Empire was divided into two parts. In the 5^th century, the Western Roman Empire, which was subjected to barbarian attacks, was completely destroyed and a new page was opened on the stage of history.