Answer:
<em>1. Did plagues reduce the population to the point it could not sustain itself?</em>
Plagues did reduce the population, but not to the point it couldn't sustain itself the plague was like a bee sting to the empire. It hurt but it didn't make it fall.
<em>2.Did civil wars lessen the strength of the empire and weaken the population?</em>
In the begging it helped quite a bit, but when men started dying the empire was no longer safe and they were losing strength and the empire was becoming weak.
<em>3. Did the army lose its discipline and thus endanger the empire and cause it to be overrun?</em>
Yes, but instead of being over run it made it easier for the goths and the Heruli to invade the south part of the Balkan Peninsula several times as well as making the Franks and Alemanni feel encouraged to plunder northern Gaul.
<em>4. Did the citizens of Rome become too satisfied and lazy, allowing the empire to crumble due to neglect?</em>
Yes, this was a pretty big issue to rome. The soldiers used to have to pay for the armor in war, but a new rule came upon making the state pay so the poor could fight as well this is only one reason but a pretty important reason it crumbled.
<em>5. Did the empire bureaucracy become too top heavy, eventually causing the empire to collapse upon itself?</em>
Yes, the leaders, emperors, and government all became too heavy headed and took advantage of their powers making the top half collapse.
<em>6. Did it fall as the result of barbarian invasions?</em>
Yes, partially because of them in 200 bce and partially because of other issues.
P.S. I will comment the other questions and answers on this answer.
Hope this helped, GretaVanFleetRocks
