What contributed to the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire? Choose all answer that are correct. Incompetent rulers placed huge tax burdens on the Roman citizens. Soldiers in the outer parts of the Roman Empire often supported local commanders instead of the emperor. The soldiers hired on the frontiers were not willing to go defend other parts of the empire. Regardless of the strength of the emperors, the Roman army was unable to hold back barbarian invasions from the south and west.