Deforestation help cause even the larger farms to fail. Urban mobs demanded food and the games were offered as a past time to keep the hunger and boredom at bay. The population actually decreased and Rome decided to enlarge their tax base by marching into neighboring provinces, conquering the peoples and demanded taxes and tribute. Most acknowledge that a desire for pleasure and wealth contributed to the population decline. The Romans limited their families too, by infanticide, emasculation, abortive herbs, and birth control.
Some historians believe that sexual excesses and disease helped reduced the birth rate.
Those in power in Rome decided that the real problem was that their gods were angry because Christianity had such an influence in destroying the old faith. Christians could not hold public office, serve in the military, nor get married in some cases. When weak emperors sat upon the Imperial Chair, the Church enjoyed peace. One Emperor even constructed a personal Chapel and had busts of Church people and Jesus Christ. He issued an edict that ordered all citizens to worship the state gods on a penalty of death.