Which of the following is NOT a factor thatled to the decline of the Roman Empire?the empire was to large to governthe army kept barbarian tribes from entering territoryRoman emperors and generals fought over landdisease killed many citizens​

The option "the army kept barbarian tribes from entering territory" is NOT a factor that led to the decline of the Roman Empire. On the contrary, the failure of the Roman army to prevent barbarian invasions was one of the contributing factors to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The Roman military faced increasing difficulties in recruiting soldiers and defending the long borders of the empire against numerous barbarian tribes.

Extra: The decline and fall of the Roman Empire is a complex subject with many contributing factors. Historians have debated the numerous causes, which include internal strife, economic troubles, overextension, and military problems. Here are some of the factors often cited:

1. Size and Governance: The Roman Empire grew too large to be effectively governed. Its vast territories stretched from Britain to the Middle East, making it difficult to manage, especially with the communication and transportation technologies of the time.

2. Economic Troubles: Heavy taxation, inflation, reliance on slave labor, and a lack of technological advancement led to economic stagnation. The empire's heavy reliance on agriculture with little room for innovation made its economy fragile.

3. Political Corruption and Instability: The Roman government went through various stages of corruption, inefficiency, and instability. There were frequent power struggles, and being an emperor was often a deadly occupation due to assassinations and coups.

4. Military Problems: As the empire expanded, it became increasingly difficult to recruit and train Roman citizens for the army. As a result, the empire relied on mercenaries, many of whom were barbarians with questionable loyalty. Furthermore, military setbacks, such as the defeat at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 CE where the Goths killed the Roman Emperor Valens, indicated the declining power of the Roman legions.

5. Invasion by Barbarian Tribes: The Western Roman Empire faced significant pressures from various migrating barbarian tribes like the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, and Huns. Many of these groups crossed into Roman territory, fleeing from other tribulations or seeking the wealth of Rome. Over time, their incursions caused substantial damage and contributed to the weakening and ultimate fall of the empire.

6. The Division of the Empire: The decision by Emperor Diocletian to divide the Roman Empire into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires in the late 3rd century CE made each half more vulnerable to external pressures and internal power struggles.

7. Disease: Outbreaks of disease, such as the Antonine Plague and the Plague of Cyprian, decimated the population, weakened the economy, and reduced manpower for the military. This factor played a background role in the decline, as the empires' resources to respond to other issues were often crippled by the loss of human life and productivity.

The combination of these issues, along with others, led to the gradual decline of the Western Roman Empire, which is traditionally marked as having fallen in 476 CE with the overthrow of the last emperor, Romulus Augustulus, by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. The Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, continued on for almost another thousand years until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.