the rise and fall of the roman empire essay

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• Guide to the Collapse of the Roman Empire Words: 970
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The Fall of the Roman Empire

Rome was not built in one day; so too, the mighty Roman Empire did not fall in a day – it covered hundreds of years. Why did Rome fall? Just like the human body is inevitably subject to growth, decay, and death it is the same with nations. History is replete with such examples without a single exception. The fall of an empire or nation is a natural phenomenon. The other causes are incidental like the disease that brings about the death of a human body.

One of the causes of the fall of Rome was the Barbarian invasions – they marched through the very roads Rome had built to reach and subjugate them. But Rome since the time of Augustus had been battling the German tribes. Why should they suddenly overpower Rome in the 6 th century? The barbarian invasions during the 3 rd and 4 th centuries were far fiercer but they were pushed back leaving behind scant traces of their marauding. The fact is that the Barbarians were no match to the Roman army. Thus it can be said that the Barbarians won in the 6 th century not because of their superior strength but because of the weakness of the Romans 1 .

The second cause is the decay in the structure of Roman society. Three distinct tribes divided into ten clans each made up Roman society in the early stages. This tribal character continued during the days of the Republic. The system allowed for stability and self-government. Self-government entails self-discipline by subordinating self-interest for the welfare of the family and then of the society as a whole. Without discipline self-government is impossible.

Originally the plebeians were not part of the government because they did not belong to the tribes that originated in Rome; neither could they take part in the religion of the state that comprised of family gods. The king was a sort of high priest. This led to the voluntary exile of the plebeians for a short time to the Sacred Mountain because “ no hereditary religion attaches us to this sit ” 2 . But later after many years of struggle, they became part of the Roman administration but at the cost of Rome no longer being tribal-based. It became more wealth-based.

Things took a turn for the worse with Rome following expansionist policies. Foreign influence gnawed into Roman society. When Sulla conquered Greece it was followed by a reverse invasion of Greek literature, philosophy, and manners. But Greece of those days had become degenerate. More destructive was the influence from the east – the Babylonian, Assyrian and Persian Empires with their proletariat demoralized culture that attracted the urban elite of Rome.

The third vital cause was the change in the Roman army too had changed. The conquests led to Rome setting up garrisons in distant places where the soldiers were posted for many years. Consequently, they forgot their loyalties towards Rome and directed it more towards the local garrison commander 3 .

At home, the army became degenerate with the introduction of public games. The worst damage was done to slavery that swelled into an institution. Roman administration could not manage the slaves it took in. Society became dependent on slaves. The administration became too much occupied with huge bands of slaves, extremely dissatisfied, living in squalid conditions. Corn came to be freely distributed leading to transforming the self-respecting working class into beggars. The land came to be neglected and the condition of the soil worsened. Farmers were overtaxed while others were overindulged. The granaries of Rome became the deserts of Africa today.

Bibliography

• Bowersock, David. 1996. “The Vanishing Paradigm of the Fall of Rome.” Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 49: 31-42.
• Ferrill, Arther. 2009. The Fall of the Roman Empire: The Military Explanation . New York: Thames and Hudson Ltd.
• Tainter, Joseph. 1988. The Collapse of Complex Societies . NY: Princeton Uni Press.

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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

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• World History Encyclopedia - Gibbon's Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire
• Christian Classics Ethereal Library - The History of The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire
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The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire , historical work by Edward Gibbon , published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788. A continuous narrative from the 2nd century ce to the fall of Constantinople in 1453, it is distinguished by its rigorous scholarship, its historical perspective, and its incomparable literary style.

The Decline and Fall is divided into two parts, equal in bulk but different in treatment. The first half covers about 300 years to the end of the empire in the West, about 480 ce ; in the second half nearly 1,000 years are compressed. Gibbon viewed the Roman Empire as a single entity in undeviating decline from the ideals of political and intellectual freedom that characterized the classical literature he had read. For him, the material decay of Rome was the effect and symbol of moral decadence.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

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To many historians, the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century CE has always been viewed as the end of the ancient world and the onset of the Middle Ages, often improperly called the Dark Ages, despite Petrarch 's assertion. Since much of the west had already fallen by the middle of the 5th century CE, when a writer speaks of the fall of the empire , he or she generally refers to the fall of the city of Rome . Although historians generally agree on the year of the fall, 476 CE, and its consequences for western civilization , they often disagree on its causes. English historian Edward Gibbon , who wrote in the late 18th century CE, points to the rise of Christianity and its effect on the Roman psyche while others believe the decline and fall were due, in part, to the influx of 'barbarians' from the north and west.

Whatever the cause, whether it was religion , external attack, or the internal decay of the city itself, the debate continues to the present day; however, one significant point must be established before a discussion of the roots of the fall can continue: the decline and fall were only in the west. The eastern half - that which would eventually be called the Byzantine Empire - would continue for several centuries, and, in many ways, it retained a unique Roman identity.

External Causes

One of the most widely accepted causes - the influx of a barbarian tribes - is discounted by some who feel that mighty Rome, the eternal city, could not have so easily fallen victim to a culture that possessed little or nothing in the way of a political, social or economic foundation. They believe the fall of Rome simply came because the barbarians took advantage of difficulties already existing in Rome - problems that included a decaying city (both physically and morally), little to no tax revenue, overpopulation, poor leadership, and, most importantly, inadequate defense. To some the fall was inevitable.

Unlike the fall of earlier empires such as the Assyrian and Persian, Rome did not succumb to either war or revolution. On the last day of the empire, a barbarian member of the Germanic tribe Siri and former commander in the Roman army entered the city unopposed. The one-time military and financial power of the Mediterranean was unable to resist. Odovacar easily dethroned the sixteen-year-old emperor Romulus Augustalus, a person he viewed as posing no threat. Romulus had recently been named emperor by his father, the Roman commander Orestes, who had overthrown the western emperor Julius Nepos. With his entrance into the city, Odovacar became the head of the only part that remained of the once great west: the peninsula of Italy . By the time he entered the city, the Roman control of Britain , Spain, Gaul , and North Africa had already been lost, in the latter three cases to the Goths and Vandals . Odovacar immediately contacted the eastern emperor Zeno and informed him that he would not accept that title of emperor. Zeno could do little but accept this decision. In fact, to ensure there would be no confusion, Odovacar returned to Constantinople the imperial vestments, diadem, and purple cloak of the emperor.

Internal Causes

There are some who believe, like Gibbon, that the fall was due to the fabric of the Roman citizen. If one accepts the idea that the cause of the fall was due, in part, to the possible moral decay of the city, its fall is reminiscent of the “decline” of the Republic centuries earlier. Historian Polybius , a 2nd century BCE writer, pointed to a dying republic (years before it actually fell) - a victim of its declining moral virtue and the rise of vice within. Edward Gibbon reiterated this sentiment (he diminished the importance of the barbaric threat) when he claimed the rise of Christianity as a factor in the “tale of woe” for the empire. He held the religion sowed internal division and encouraged a “turn-the-other-cheek mentality” which ultimately condemned the war machine, leaving it in the hands of the invading barbarians. Those who discount Gibbon's claim point to the existence of the same religious zealots in the east and the fact that many of the barbarians were Christian themselves.

To Gibbon the Christian religion valued idle and unproductive people. Gibbon wrote in his book The History of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire ,

A candid but rational inquiry into the progress and establishment of Christianity, may be considered as a very essential part of the history of the Roman empire. While this great body was invaded by open violence, or undermined by slow decay, a pure and humble religion greatly insinuated itself into the minds of men, grew up in silence and obscurity, derived new vigour from opposition, and finally erected the triumphant banner of the cross on the ruins of the Capitol.”

He added that the Roman government appeared to be “odious and oppressive to its subjects” and therefore no serious threat to the barbarians.

Gibbon, however, does not single out Christianity as the only culprit. It was only one in a series that brought the empire to its knees. In the end, the fall was inevitable:

…the decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest , and as soon as time or accident has removed artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight.

A Divided Empire

Although Gibbon points to the rise of Christianity as a fundamental cause, the actual fall or decline could be seen decades earlier. By the 3rd century CE, the city of Rome was no longer the center of the empire - an empire that extended from the British Isles to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and into Africa. This massive size presented a problem and called for a quick solution, and it came with the reign of Emperor Diocletian . The empire was divided into two with one capital remaining at Rome and another in the Eastern Empire at Nicomedia; the eastern capital would later be moved to Constantinople, old Byzantium , by Emperor Constantine . The Senate, long-serving in an advisory capacity to the emperor, would be mostly ignored; instead, the power centered on a strong military. Some emperors would never step foot in Rome. In time Constantinople, Nova Roma or New Rome, would become the economic and cultural center that had once been Rome.

Despite the renewed strength that the division provided (the empire would be divided and united several times), the empire remained vulnerable to attack, especially on the Danube-Rhine border to the north. The presence of barbarians along the northern border of the empire was nothing new and had existed for years - the army had met with them on and off since the time of Julius Caesar . Some emperors had tried to buy them off, while others invited them to settle on Roman land and even join the army. However, many of these new settlers never truly became Roman even after citizenship was granted, retaining much of their old culture.

This vulnerability became more obvious as a significant number of Germanic tribes, the Goths, gathered along the northern border. They did not want to invade; they wanted to be part of the empire, not its conqueror. The empire's great wealth was a draw to this diverse population. They sought a better life, and despite their numbers, they appeared to be no immediate threat, at first. However, as Rome failed to act to their requests, tensions grew. This anxiety on the part of the Goths was due to a new menace further to the east, the Huns .

The Goth Invasion

During the reign of the 4th century eastern emperor Valens (364 -378 CE), the Thervingi Goths had congregated along the Danube-Rhine border - again, not as a threat, but with a desire only to receive permission to settle. This request was made in urgency, for the “savage” Huns threatened their homeland. Emperor Valens panicked and delayed an answer - a delay that brought increased concern among the Goths as winter was approaching. In anger, the Goths crossed the river with or without permission, and when a Roman commander planned an ambush, war soon followed. It was a war that would last for five years.

Although the Goths were mostly Christian many who joined them were not. Their presence had caused a substantial crisis for the emperor; he couldn't provide sufficient food and housing. This impatience, combined with the corruption and extortion by several Roman commanders, complicated matters. Valens prayed for help from the west. Unfortunately, in battle , the Romans were completely outmatched and ill-prepared, and the Battle of Adrianople proved this when two-thirds of the Roman army was killed. This death toll included the emperor himself. It would take Emperor Theodosius to bring peace.

An Enemy from Within: Alaric

The Goths remained on Roman land and would ally themselves with the Roman army. Later, however, one man, a Goth and former Roman commander, rose up against Rome - a man who only asked for what had been promised him - a man who would do what no other had done for eight centuries: sack Rome. His name was Alaric, and while he was a Goth, he had also been trained in the Roman army. He was intelligent, Christian, and very determined. He sought land in the Balkans for his people, land that they had been promised. Later, as the western emperor delayed his response, Alaric increased his demands, not only grain for his people but also recognition as citizens of the empire; however, the emperor, Honorius, continually refused. With no other course, Alaric gathered together an army of Goths, Huns and freed slaves and crossed the Alps into Italy. His army was well-organized, not a mob. Honorius was incompetent and completely out of touch, another in a long line of so-called “shadow emperors” - emperors who ruled in the shadow of the military. Oddly enough, he didn't even live in Rome but had a villa in nearby Ravenna.

Alaric sat outside the city, and over time, as the food and water in the city became increasingly scarce, Rome began to weaken. The time was now. While he had never wanted war but only land and recognition for his people Alaric, with the supposed help of a Gothic slave who opened the gates from within, entered Rome in August of 410 CE. He would stay for three days and completely sack the city; although he would leave St. Paul and St Peters alone. Honorius remained totally blind to the seriousness of the situation. While temporarily agreeing to Alaric's demands - something he never intended to honor - 6,000 Roman soldiers were sent to defend the city, but they were quickly defeated. Even though the city's coffers were nearly empty, the Senate finally relinquished; Alaric left with, among other items, two tons of gold and thirteen tons of silver .

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Some people at the time viewed the sacking of the city as a sign from their pagan gods. St. Augustine , who died in 430 CE, said in his City of God that the fall of Rome was not a result of the people's abandonment of their pagan gods (gods they believed protected the city) but as a reminder to the city's Christians why they needed to suffer. There was good, for the world was created by good, but it was flawed by human sin; however, he still believed the empire was a force for peace and unity. To St. Augustine there existed two cities : one of this world and one of God.

Barbarian Invasions

Although Alaric would soon die afterwards, other barbarians - whether Christian or not - did not stop after the sack of the city. The old empire was ravaged, among others, by Burgundians, Angles, Saxons , Lombards , and Magyars. By 475 CE Spain, Britain, and parts of Gaul had been lost to various Germanic people and only Italy remained as the “empire” in the west. The Vandals would soon move from Spain and into northern Africa, eventually capturing the city of Carthage . The Roman army abandoned all hope of recovering the area and moved out. The loss of Africa meant a loss of revenue, and the loss of revenue meant there was less money to support an army to defend the city. Despite these considerable losses, there was some success for the Romans. The threat from Attila the Hun was finally stopped at the Battle of Chalons by Roman commander Aelius who had created an army of Goths, Franks , Celts and Burgundians. Even Gibbon recognized Attila as one “who urged the rapid downfall of the Roman empire.” While Attila would recover and sack several Italian cities, he and the Hun threat ended with his death due to a nosebleed on his wedding night.

Conclusion: Multiple Factors

One could make a sound case for a multitude of reasons for the fall of Rome. However, its fall was not due to one cause, although many search for one. Most of the causes, initially, point to one place: the city of Rome itself. The loss of revenue for the western half of the empire could not support an army - an army that was necessary for defending the already vulnerable borders. Continual warfare meant trade was disrupted; invading armies caused crops to be laid to waste, poor technology made for low food production, the city was overcrowded, unemployment was high, and lastly, there were always the epidemics. Added to these was an inept and untrustworthy government.

The presence of the barbarians in and around the empire added to a crisis not only externally but internally. These factors helped bring an empire from “a state of health into non-existence.” The Roman army lacked both proper training and equipment. The government itself was unstable. Peter Heather in his The Fall of the Roman Empire states that it “fell not because of its 'stupendous fabric' but because its German neighbors responded to its power in ways that the Romans could not ever have foreseen… By virtue of its unbounded aggression, Roman imperialism was responsible for its own destruction.”

Rome's fall ended the ancient world and the Middle Ages were borne. These “Dark Ages” brought the end to much that was Roman. The West fell into turmoil. However, while much was lost, western civilization still owes a debt to the Romans. Although only a few today can speak Latin, it is part of our language and the foundation of the Romance languages of French, Italian, and Spanish. Our legal system is based on Roman law . Many present day European cities were founded by Rome. Our knowledge of Greece comes though Rome and many other lasting effects besides. Rome had fallen but it had been for so so long one of the history's truly world cities.

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Bibliography

• Baker, S. Ancient Rome. BBC Books, 2007.
• Clark, G. Late Antiquity. Oxford University Press, 2011.
• Gibbon, E. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Penguin Classics, 2005.
• Heather, P. The Fall of the Roman Empire. Oxford University Press, 2007.
• James, E. Europe's Barbarians AD 200-600. Routledge, 2009.
• Rodgers, N. Roman Empire. Metro Books, 2008
• Sommer, M. The Complete Roman Emperor. Thames & Hudson, 2010.

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Wasson, D. L. (2018, April 12). Fall of the Western Roman Empire . World History Encyclopedia . Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/835/fall-of-the-western-roman-empire/

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Ancient Rome — The Fall of the Roman Empire

The Fall of The Roman Empire

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Published: Dec 5, 2018

Words: 732 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Works Cited

• Fall of the Roman Empire. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.rome.info/history/empire/fall/
• Gibbon, E. (n.d.). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Vol. 2).
• Wasson, D. (2014). Diocletian. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/Diocletian/
• Theodosius I. (n.d.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodosius-I-Roman-emperor
• Cameron, A. (2013). The Last Pagans of Rome. Oxford University Press.
• Ward-Perkins, B. (2006). The Fall of Rome: And the End of Civilization. Oxford University Press.
• Heather, P. (2006). The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History. Pan Books.
• Goldsworthy, A. (2009). How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower. Yale University Press.
• Bury, J. B. (2011). History of the Later Roman Empire : From the Death of Theodosius I to the Death of Justinian. Dover Publications.
• Ward, J. (2018). Rome's Last Citizen: The Life and Legacy of Cato, Mortal Enemy of Caesar. St. Martin's Griffin.

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History: the Fall of the Roman Empire

This essay will explore the historical events and factors that led to the fall of the Roman Empire. It will discuss the internal and external pressures, including political corruption, economic troubles, and barbarian invasions, that contributed to the decline and eventual collapse of one of the most powerful empires in history. The piece will analyze the impact of the empire’s fall on the subsequent history of Europe. Moreover, at PapersOwl, there are additional free essay samples connected to Ancient Rome.

How it works

• 1 Introduction
• 2 Political corruption
• 3 Dwindling Roman Economy
• 4 Conclusion
• 5 Bibliography

Introduction

The Roman Empire is said to have crumpled when the German brutes toppled the last Emperor, Romulus Augustus in 476 and presented a more equitable type of government which was fleeting. There exist many reasons regarding the fall of the Roman Empire. Every reason seemed to be intertwined with the other. Some of those who try and explain the fall of this empire blamed the initiation of Christianity. Constantine the Great initiated Christianity in 337 AD. Some people place blame on several factors which include, elevated cases of joblessness, inflation, increased expenditures in military, slave labor.

Others blame ethical issues like the deterioration in moral standards, lack of discipline of the forces as well as corrupt leaders.

However, many researchers as well as historians have come to agree on four factors as the main cause of the fall of the Roman Empire. These include: one of the main factors that are deemed to explain this phenomenon is the increased expenditure on the military in a bid to expand. As a result, this left the empire bankrupt and unable to run its processes. Secondly, there was an over-dependence on slave labor. As a result of this action, it led to a rise in unemployment.

The third reason was the decline in ethics of the leaders leading to corruption as well as abuse of power. The Praetorian Guard was in the limelight for misuse of power. This orchestrated biases in the selection of emperors as well as the execution of those who lacked the favor of the guard. The fourth reason was the dwindling Roman Economy.

Causes of the fall of the Roman EmpireSpending too much on the MilitarySpending too much on the military was one of the leading contributors as to why the Roman Empire failed. This was done in a bid to expand. Henceforth, a lot of money was used to fund battles abroad. For the Romans to gain access into other empires, they had to use a lot of money on their legions who took the initiative to conquer. The supply lines, as well as the armies of the Roman Empire, grew and over-stretched yielding thousands of militias being trained as well as deployed from the Roman Empire into other empires with the aim of invading or defending.

The Empire, also, relied on the militias in securing the borders of the territories that they had claimed from savage attacks. This prompted massive expenditure on the manufacturing of weapons as well as that spent on the upkeep of the soldiers. The massive spending on soldiers, as well as firearms, left the Roman Empire with minimal funds for other government expenditures such as building roads, construction of more decent houses and bridges as was the trend.

Also, this leads to inflation. Similarly, the citizens of the Roman Empire started viewing the Empire as a failed state. As a result, they engaged in ceaseless riots which became common in the Roman Empire during its last century. This prompted distrust of the people to the empire. The outcome was that more and more people failed to volunteer in joining the army. This created a problem for the government as it ended up hiring common thugs as well as non-Roman soldiers. The Roman administration was compelled to increase taxes to compensate for their military expenditure which further worsened the low determination of the Roman people. Many of the citizens just kept three-quarters of their weekly wage. This brought about demoralization. The funds raised from these taxes were got wasted on mercenaries who continually had to be replaced.

This went on until the Roman government could no longer afford to send the big battalions of soldiers abroad. This resulted into poorly defended borders that were vulnerable to attacks. The non-Romanian soldiers got too proud to serve a failing empire. As a result, they began conquering sections of the Roman Empire inspired by the reason that the Roman government could no longer afford to pay them and also to send detachments as well as funds to salvage these parts. The Roman Empire defense also, grew weak because they now started defending their empire against its mercenaries. Similarly, the barbarians began reclaiming the conquered provinces from the Romanians.

This made it considerably simple for them to overcome the Roman Empire. The government started getting desperate to ensure the loyalty of the soldiers. As a result, they doubled their salaries and frequently assured discharge payments like property or cash. Additionally, the government also spent a lot of finances in the transportation of food to ensure their mercenaries got fed. Likewise, they also spent on their horses, roads as well as bridges that needed repair. Acquisition of weapons was also another expenditure. The luxury accorded to the soldiers interfered with their discipline. Consequently, the Roman gold and silver mines got depleted as they used them to conquer other territories which failed. Over-dependence on slave laborOver-dependence on slave work was another reason that prompted the downfall of the Roman Empire. Amid the first two centuries of the Roman Empire, the number of slaves expanded significantly.

The over-dependence on slaves had exceptionally adverse impacts to the empire. Not exclusively did it prompt the corruption of ethics, models, and morals yet additionally inspired the stagnation of new hardware to create items all the more effective. The empire never ran shy of slaves any way they oppressed them. This made the slaves revolt prompting a series of encounters which were alluded to as the Servile Wars. Normal agriculturists got inspiration of the free work readily accessible from the slaves, and this prompted joblessness in the domain.

This made an upsurge in slaves. The most recent couple of hundreds of years of the empire saw an enormous ascent in Christianity. Accordingly, states of mind towards slaves changed. Individuals began tolerating them socially. Several of the slaves which the empire relied upon were liberated therefore discouraging the creation of products and additionally weapons. This constrained the administration to employ laborers who got paid for significantly less work.

Over-dependence on slave labor prompted the inadequacy in the innovation and furthermore advancement of the Roman Empire amid the last four hundred years. At last, the realm was not able to offer adequate products for their expanding masses and furthermore troops. Thus, they what’s more neglected to realize new strategies for building up their machinery or add to their incomes while attacking different domains.

Political corruption

Political corruption was also another evil that led to the fall of the empire. It was rampant in the Roman Empire and precisely in Rome. Additionally, it was within the upper ranks of the guards (Praetorian Guard). The superpowers bestowed upon the Praetorian Guard motivated them to enhance corruption in the empire. They were the most distinguished as well as decorated soldiers within the kingdom. They also acted as personal bodyguards to the Emperor. The corruption was such a menace that the Praetorian Guard could hold secret meetings and conspire to overthrow the emperor as well as make a choice on who they deemed suitable for the seat as a replacement. For instance, when Tiberius was defeated as an Emperor, the Praetorian Guard auctioned the seat to the highest bidder for 100 years. The political corruption also yielded a lot of civil conflicts within the Roman kingdom.

The Romans were short of putting stringent measures of deciding who would be the next emperor, unlike the Early Greeks who used to hold elections. Their process of choosing a new emperor involved decisions by the senate, the army and also the Praetorian Guard. However, the final decision was made by the Praetorian Guard who looked on a person who would offer him the best offer of a reward. During the 3rd century, for instance, the title of the emperor changed thirty-seven times. Out of this 37 times, 25 were removed by assassination. This led to overall weakness as well as contributing to the fall and decline of the empire.

Dwindling Roman Economy

Another explanation behind the Roman Empires decline and inevitable fall was the decreasing of the Roman Empire’s monetary strength. This influenced about each part of Roman life, from the decline of the populace to the absence of support of the establishment. There were likewise some military perspectives that prompted their death and because individuals ended up noticeably uninvolved in joining the Roman armed force Rome was left unprotected against the majority of their adversaries. The essential driver of the decline of the economy was the absence of flowing money in the Western Empire.

The varying rainfall patterns, as well as the climate in the Mediterranean, started to alternate every year between hot, dry spells and icy, stormy seasons. This diminished the quantity of yields and compelled the Romans to initiate irrigation schemes. The gigantic amounts of water required for this undertaking had to be contained in substantial stores, and the standing water soon wound up noticeably. Stagnant water was a perfect condition for reproducing mosquitoes which then became carriers of malaria. Malaria became a menace to the kingdom and resulted in the death of very many people further dwindling the economy.

There is no candid reason which explains the fall of the Roman Empire. However, the over expenditure on the military development put a lot of strain on the Roman Empire government. It cost them a lot and diminished their economy. Thus, this could be the leading factor as to why the empire failed. Similarly, the dwindling economy also played a significant role in the fall of the empire. Also, over dependence on the slaves made the technological advancement of the empire to fall in the last 400 years. The Roman Empire is said to have crumpled when the German brutes toppled the last Emperor, Romulus Augustus in 476 and presented a more equitable type of government which was fleeting.

Bibliography

Ando, Clifford. Imperial ideology and provincial loyalty in the Roman Empire. Vol. 6. Univ of California Press, 2013.

Gibbon, Edward. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Volume Six. Sheba Blake Publishing, 2017.

Kaegi, Walter Emil. Byzantium and the Decline of the Roman Empire. Princeton University Press, 2015.

Luttwak, Edward N. The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire: From the First Century CE to the Third. JHU Press, 2016.

White, Leslie A. The evolution of culture: the development of civilization to the fall of Rome. Routledge, 2016.

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The Roman Empire and Its Fall in 476 A.D. Essay

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Introduction

The fall of Rome is widely considered a major turning point in the history of Europe. The Roman Empire, which had been a major political and military force since the 1st century B.C., collapsed in the late 5th century A.D. The causes of the fall of Rome were complex and varied, but the consequences were seismic. Rome was eventually divided in 395 A.D by the death of Theodosius I, with the East becoming the Byzantine Empire and the West becoming the Western Roman Empire. This continued to exist in some form until 476 A.D, when it was officially dissolved by the Germanic King Odoacer. Therefore, although Rome fell in 476 A.D due to deposition of Emperor Romulus Augustulus, some of its practices such as religion and political system were continued while others were discontinued.

The fall of the Roman Empire is traditionally dated to be 476 A.D, when the emperor of the Western Empire, Romulus Augustulus. This marked the end of the Roman imperial system and the transition to the Middle Ages. Despite this, many of the continuities between Rome and its successor kingdoms can be seen throughout the 5th century and beyond. The Byzantine Empire, which emerged in the East, claimed to be the legitimate successor of the Roman Empire, and its rulers continued to use the title of ‘Emperor.’ The Byzantine Empire maintained much of the Roman political, legal, and religious traditions, including the Greek language and Christian faith.

One of the main continuities that can be seen after the fall of Rome was the continued presence of a strong and unified Christian faith. Despite the rise of the Ostrogothic, Visigothic and Frankish kingdoms, Rome and its legacy of Catholic Christianity remained a major unifying force throughout Europe. This was further reinforced by the growth of the Holy Roman Empire from Charlemagne, which further spread the influence of Catholicism. Additionally, the claims of the Papacy to be the legitimate heirs of Roman imperial rule in the West helped to maintain a sense of continuity after the fall of Rome. Thus, the successor states maintained much of the Roman political, legal, and religious traditions, including the Greek language and Christian faith.

However, there were some discontinuities such as adoption of a new form of government adopted by Roman Empire’s successor kingdoms. The most significant of these was the decentralization of power, as the Ostrogothic, Visigothic and Frankish kingdoms replaced the unified Roman Empire. This led to the emergence of a number of new political entities, which competed for power and influence in Europe. Additionally, the decline of the Roman Empire led to a decline in the level of technological sophistication and economic prosperity that the Romans had enjoyed. Therefore, this decline in the standard of living was further exacerbated by the emergence of new diseases and the decline of trade networks

The fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D. marked the end of the classical period and the beginning of the Middle Ages. The continuities and discontinuities between Rome and its successor kingdoms depend largely on the region in question, but all of them adopted some of the Roman traditions and institutions while developing their unique characteristics. The Byzantine Empire is among the successors that sustained Roman traditions the longest. However, the claims made by the Papacy to be the legitimate heirs of Roman imperial rule in the West were declared with the Donation of Constantine in the 8th century.

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• The Rise of the Roman Empire Summary

by Polybius

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Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

Rome wasn't always a powerful empire: This history tells how that rise to power came to be. (The vast majority of the document is lost, so this is the summary of what remains.)

The history tells first of Rome from before Polybius 's time, from what he has learned from the elderly folks of yesteryear. He details the longterm annexation and conquering of Carthage. This allowed Rome a kind of foothold through which they then conquered the whole of Greece. He details political business among nearby nations: the Egyptians, and the Macedonians.

He tells of the Punic Wars. About the First Punic War, we learn more about Carthage as a region, and the importance of Rome's conquering it in the years 264-241 BC. This allowed Rome a kind of absolute control of the Mediterranean, so they could trade with Northern Africa from the capitol in Italy. The Second Punic War tells of Hannibal, the military genius who crossed the whole of Europe to invade Rome from the north, famously crossing the Alps to do so. In the Third Punic War, Rome's empire has become obvious.

Then, Polybius discusses the current state of his democracy: He mentions taxation, voting, aristocracy, and the reality of power as a shared resource. He discusses the value of the Senate and the various strategies that the Senate employs to create balance in the government. The history ends with Polybius's telling of the fall of Corinth to the Romans in 146 BC.

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The Rise of the Roman Empire Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Rise of the Roman Empire is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What are some major events from the Roman Empire?

In terms of the rise of the Roman Empire, the following were major events;

• Third Macedonian War (171-168 B.C.E.)

•Third Punic War (149-146 B.C.E.)

• the conquest of Greece in 146 B.C.E. following victory against Carthage.

what was augustus real name

His original name was Gaius Octavius ,.

The rise of the Roman empire

The Pax Romana was a period of peace during Rome's history. It lasted from the reign of Augustus all the way to Marcus Aurelius, ending when Emporer Commodus ascended the throne. It was a time for stability and peace; bastioned by Augustus, he...

Study Guide for The Rise of the Roman Empire

The Rise of the Roman Empire is a book by Polybius. The Rise of the Roman Empire study guide contains a biography of Polybius, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Rise of the Roman Empire
• Character List

Essays for The Rise of the Roman Empire

The Rise of the Roman Empire is a novel by Polybius. The Rise of the Roman Empire literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Rise of the Roman Empire by Polybius.

• How Livy Saved Rome from the Polybian Cycle
• Criticism of Livy’s The Early History of Rome

Wikipedia Entries for The Rise of the Roman Empire

• Introduction

• Ancient History

The rise and fall of the Roman Republic

The Roman Republic was one of the most influential and powerful empires in the world, lasting for almost 500 years before it was replaced by the Roman Empire.

At its heart, the Republic's government featured a unique system of checks and balances that aimed to prevent any single individual from gaining too much power.

As a result, the citizens of Rome fiercely defended their political rights and contributed to the Republic's success.

However, the same ambition that fueled Rome's growth eventually led to its downfall as ambitious leaders and internal strife tore at the very fabric of Roman society.

Mythical founding of Rome

According to legend, the city of Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus , after killing his twin brother, Remus.

The two boys were believed to have been raised by a she-wolf. This story is the most well-known version of the mythical founding of Rome, but archaeological evidence tells a different story.

The city of Rome is thought to have grown from a series of small villages on the banks of the Tiber River over a series of centuries.

By around the 6th century BC, there is evidence that the separate villages were already working together to form a larger community.

This is probably the real origins of the city.

The Etruscans

Much of the early cultural influences on the Romans came from the nearby people called the Etruscans.

The Etruscans were a powerful people who ruled over much of the modern region of Tuscany, which is located to the north of Rome.

The Etruscans were skilled warriors and master builders, who appeared to have been heavily influenced by Greek culture themselves.

As a result, the Romans adopted modified forms of Etruscan gods that may have been based upon Greek originals.

For example, the Roman god Jupiter appears to be the same as the Greek god Zeus.

The Etruscans were in trading contact with Greek colonies in the south of Italy. It is assumed that it is by these connections that they discovered the Greek alphabet.

Over time, the Etruscans developed their own writing system based upon the Greek original, and this influenced what would later become the Roman alphabet, and the Latin language.

The seven kings of Rome

In its earliest history, Rome was a kingdom, which meant that it was ruled by a monarch with absolute power.

Romulus was believed to be the first king, followed by Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, and finally Lucius Tarquinius Superbus.

Each of these kings were thought to have contributed something significant to the cultural identity and infrastructure of the Roman state.

However, each one also became progressively more corrupt and despotic, which fostered resentment of the kings among the people of Rome.

The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC, after the end of the Roman Kingdom, when Rome’s last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, was overthrown by the Roman people .

One of the first consuls of the Republic was Lucius Junius Brutus.

Republican government

The Roman Republic was founded on the idea of representational government. This meant that the people of Rome would elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. 

The Romans were incredibly proud of their republic, and it became a central part of their identity. 

This system of government helped to prevent any one person or group from having too much power.

In the Roman republican system, rather than a single king holding all of the power, authority was divided among a number of different institutions.

The two most important of these were the Senate and the Assembly. The Senate was a group of wealthy landowners who had inherited their positions from their ancestors. 

The Assembly was a group of citizens who elected officials and passed laws.

The most important officials were the consuls. The two consuls were elected by the people and held office for one year.

They were responsible for leading the army.

However, people could also be elected to other positions every year including aedile , Tribune of the Plebs, plus many more.

Since there were only a limited number of positions available every year, competition was fierce to be elected to these roles.

As time went on, people resorted to underhanded means to achieve success in the elections.

The Punic Wars

The Punic Wars were a series of wars fought between Rome and Carthage, two powerful empires in the western Mediterranean.

The First Punic War began in 264 BC, when Rome and Carthage fought for control of Sicily.

The Second Punic War began in 218 BC, when Hannibal , a Carthaginian general, invaded Italy.

The Third Punic War began in 149 BC, after which the Romans finally destroyed the city of Carthage in 146 BC. 

By the end of the Punic Wars, Rome had become one of the most powerful empires in the world. It controlled all of Italy and much of Europe and North Africa.

During this conflict, Rome had rapidly developed more effective systems of military and economic dominance.

It was thanks to the lessons learned through the Punic Wars that Rome was able to rapidly expand further eastward and conquer Greece by the end of 146 BC as well.

Political problems

Following Rome's successful military expansion, several negative consequences occurred. 

Many of Rome's allies began to resent its power, and some even rebelled. In addition, the Senate became increasingly corrupt.

Senators began to use their positions of power for personal gain, rather than for the good of Rome. This led to increased social unrest among the people of Rome. 

A significant social divide appeared between the plebeians and the patricians . The plebeians were the common citizens of Rome, while the patricians were the wealthy landowners.

The plebeians began to feel that they were being treated unfairly by the government.

This led to civil unrest called the Conflict of the Orders, lasting from 494 BC to 287 BC.

Eventually, the patricians were forced to grant more equality to the plebeians and by the time of the Third Punic War, the two social classes were generally equal in economic, political and social standing.

However, this led to a different social divide. This time, it was around who really held the political power in Rome.

Was it the wealthy elite, which was now both plebeians and patricians, or was it the common people of Rome? 

Traditionally, the Senate, which was dominated by the rich aristocratic nobles, was seen as the real power, as they are the ones who created and enforced laws.

However, there was a growing movement that suggested that the common people really held the power, as they were the ones who voted on who would hold which political office every year, and they usually voted on which laws to adopt.

This disagreement developed into severe tensions that threatened to tear Roman society apart if the Senate did not recognise the power of the common people.

The Gracchi brothers

In an effort to address these problems, two reformers named Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were elected to the position of Tribune of the Plebs in 133 and 123 BC respectively.

Tiberius proposed a law that would have given land to poor farmers.

However, his law was opposed by the Senate, and he was eventually assassinated for threatening to take power away from them.

Gaius then took up his brother's cause ten years later. He proposed a series of reforms that would have helped the poor.

However, his laws were also opposed by the Senate. Gaius was also hunted down and killed. 

Following their time as tribunes, the ideological divide created two competing factions within the Senate itself. 

The two groups were called the optimates (meaning the 'best men') and the populares (meaning 'the popularisers').

The optimates were the senators who believed that political power resided with the Senate, while the populares believed that the citizens of Rome should have the final say in political decisions.

Politicians who favoured either side began to clash in open conflict with each other.

Powerful generals and politicians on either side rose to prominence in Rome over the next fifty years.

Men like Marius and Pompey had the support of the populares , while those like Sulla were on the side of the optimates .

Each of these leaders gradually relied upon the support of their armies to enforce their version of politics in Rome.

One of the most famous examples of how far this could go was the life of Sulla . On two separate occasions, Sulla marched his army on the city of Rome itself.

Once in control of the city, he hunted down politicians who disagreed with him and had them killed.

The example set by Sulla would both be used as a warning of what could go wrong in Rome, but it was also used as a precedence for what could be done if all other options had failed a person in their attempt to achieve their goals.

The First Triumvirate

The political turmoil in Rome culminated with a powerful political alliance between three men: Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. 

This alliance was known as the First Triumvirate , and it was founded in 60 BC. This alliance allowed these three individuals to illegally dominate the entire political system.

When the Senate realised what the First Triumvirate had done, they sought to bring them to justice, particularly Caesar.

Crassus and Pompey avoided punishment for their part in the alliance . Crassus eventually died in 53 BC while on military campaign in the east, and Pompey switched political allegiance to the optimates .

As a result, Caesar was left to take the full blame for what had occurred.

Caesar tried to use every political tool he had available to avoid being charged with his illegal actions.

In particular, he was able to have himself awarded a ten-year military campaign in Gaul .

As long as he had the position of commander, he was technically immune from prosecution by the Senate.

His command was due to expire at the end of 50 BC, and Caesar knew that he would have to return to Rome.

Aware that this would mean a legal trial and punishment, Caesar asked Pompey to help him out.

However, by this time, Pompey was on the side of the Senate and was not willing to intervene.

Having to choose between the end of his political career or follow Sulla's example, Caesar called for the support of his army.

In 49 BC, Caesar led his legions across the Rubicon River in northern Italy and attacked Rome itself.

This act started a civil war between Caesar and Pompey. This was a direct challenge to the Senate's authority.

The Senate then declared Caesar an enemy of Rome. 

Caesar quickly gained control of Italy and then defeated Pompey. Caesar was then declared the dictator of Rome .

He ruled for over three years before he was assassinated by a group of senators in 44 BC who feared that he wanted to become a new king of Rome.

The Second Triumvirate

After Caesar's assassination, a new civil war broke out. This time, the main combatants were Julius Caesar's nephew Octavian and two of Caesar's former generals, Mark Antony and Lepidus, who swore to hunt down and kill Caesar's assassins.

The three men formed an alliance known as the Second Triumvirate in 43 BC.

This alliance was successful, and the last of Caesar's assassins were defeated at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC.

However, this success meant that there was once more an alliance of three powerful men who dominated the Roman republic.

Just like the First Triumvirate, the Second Triumvirate threatened to lead to another civil war between its members to decide who would ultimately lead the Roman world. 

The Second Triumvirate was eventually dissolved after Antony began a relationship with Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt.

Octavian proactively hunted down Lepidus and forced him into retirement after attempting to seize control of Sicily, a region under Octavian's authority.

Then Octavian's forces defeated Antony at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Following his defeat, Antony returned to Egypt where he and Cleopatra committed suicide.

Therefore, Octavian emerged as the sole ruler of Rome, just as Julius Caesar had done.

To recognise his dominance, he took the name ' Augustus ' in 27 BC, which means "the exalted one", and became the first Roman emperor.

For all intents and purposes, Augustus was the king of Rome. However, both he and the Senate avoided using the word 'king' due to its negative connotations in Roman history.

However, the Roman people now looked to Augustus to guarantee peace after a century of constant civil war and strife.

The position of emperor now became the most important role in the entire Roman world, and it superseded all other political powers, including the consuls.

As a result, modern historians consider the life of Augustus to be the end of the Roman republican system.

The new system, which revolved around who was emperor, became known as the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire

The Roman Republic came to an end, and Rome became an empire ruled by one man, the emperor.

Augustus ruled for over 40 years and oversaw a period of peace and prosperity known as the pax Romana , or "Roman Peace."

Under the emperors, Rome became a huge empire that stretched from Britain in the west to Syria in the east, and from the Sahara in the south to the Rhine and Danube rivers in the north.

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