Final answer:
The Roman Empire faced food shortages primarily due to overpopulation and agricultural decline. The growth of Rome's urban proletariat and political corruption further strained resources. Continuous conflict and invasions also disrupted essential food supplies, contributing to the shortages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes why the Roman Empire faced food shortages is A) Overpopulation and agricultural decline. The Roman Empire underwent significant transformations over time, including the strain on traditional agricultural processes, especially following the Punic Wars. Many Roman soldiers, who were often required to own property to serve in the military, found their property in disrepair or taken by others upon their return.
They migrated to cities such as Rome, which by the first century BCE had a population that possibly exceeded one million, growing the proletariat and straining food resources. In addition, the invasions by barbarian tribes, coupled with internal political corruption and the deterioration of roads and trade routes, contributed further to the Roman food shortages.
The internal challenges within the Roman political system, such as the misuse of public funds for entertainment and corruption, compounded the problem. This led to a reliance on grain imports to feed the massive urban population, making the Empire susceptible to food crises during times of conflict or reduced trade.
The food shortages were further exacerbated by the general decline of the Empire brought on by various social, political, and military challenges. Continuous conflict and the need to defend against both barbarian invasions and the Sassanid threat drained resources and disrupted critical food supplies, a circumstance evident when famine and riots broke out in 190 CE due to a grain shortage.