Which statement describes the Western Roman Empire after the Pax Romana? (4 points) The Empire enjoyed a golden age of advancements in the arts and sciences. The Empire suffered from political and economic instability. The Empire was extremely wealthy and prosperous. The Empire was weakened by a series of natural disasters.

The statement that describes the Western Roman Empire after the Pax Romana is: The Empire suffered from political and economic instability. After the Pax Romana, which translates to "Roman Peace," a period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire lasting from 27 BCE to 180 CE, the Western Roman Empire faced numerous challenges. These challenges included political turmoil with a rapid changeover of emperors, economic troubles such as inflation and a weakened currency, social strife, military defeats, and pressures from invading tribes along its borders.

Extra: The Pax Romana began during the reign of Emperor Augustus, continuing for over two centuries, and is known for its stability, architectural achievements, and flourishing of the arts and culture. However, after this period, the Western Roman Empire could not maintain its dominance.

Economic instability included a weakened trade system, difficulty in collecting taxes, and a reliance on slave labor, which hindered technological innovation. Political instability was marked by a frequent change of leaders, where emperors were often overthrown or assassinated, leading to a lack of consistent leadership.

Furthermore, the empire was also facing military problems, as it was becoming harder to enlist Romans; this led to increased reliance on mercenaries, who were often less loyal to the empire. Additionally, the empire faced threats from external forces, including Germanic tribes like the Visigoths and the Vandals, which contributed to the strain.

Ultimately, the culmination of these issues led to the decline of the Western Roman Empire, resulting in its eventual fall in 476 CE when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer. Contrastingly, the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, managed to survive for nearly another millennium until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.