roman empire fall essay

• The Decline and the Fall of the Roman Empire Words: 590
• The Fall of the Roman Empire and Its Causes Words: 1413
• The Fall of The Roman Empire: The Main Reasons Words: 1006
• The Causes of the Crises of the Roman Empire Words: 3229
• The Roman Empire’s Fall and Separation Words: 663
• Aspects of Roman Empire Collapse Words: 858
• The Factors Complexity in The Fall of the Roman Empire – Was It Inevitable? Words: 634
• Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon Words: 3351
• The Rise and Fall of Rome: History of the Roman Empire Words: 625
• The History of Roman Empire Expansion Words: 825

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.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2021, November 30). The Fall of the Roman Empire. https://studycorgi.com/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-essay/

"The Fall of the Roman Empire." StudyCorgi , 30 Nov. 2021, studycorgi.com/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-essay/.

StudyCorgi . (2021) 'The Fall of the Roman Empire'. 30 November.

1. StudyCorgi . "The Fall of the Roman Empire." November 30, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-essay/.

StudyCorgi . "The Fall of the Roman Empire." November 30, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-essay/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "The Fall of the Roman Empire." November 30, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/the-fall-of-the-roman-empire-essay/.

This paper, “The Fall of the Roman Empire”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: May 9, 2024 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

The Decline of the Roman Empire: when did it Truly Fall?

This essay is about the fall of the Roman Empire, highlighting the complexity of pinpointing its exact decline. Traditionally marked by the deposition of Romulus Augustulus in 476 AD, the fall was actually a gradual process influenced by internal strife, economic troubles, administrative challenges, and barbarian invasions. The division into Eastern and Western halves in 285 AD further weakened the Western Roman Empire, making it vulnerable to external threats. While the Western Empire fell, the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantine Empire, continued to preserve Roman traditions until 1453, complicating the narrative of Rome’s fall. Understanding this event requires a nuanced view of the long-term decline and transformation of Roman power.

How it works

The Roman Empire’s downfall has fascinated historians for ages. Finding the exact moment it all crumbled is tough, ’cause it’s a mix of events that slowly chipped away at one of history’s big shots. Traditionally, folks peg the fall around 476 AD when Romulus Augustulus, the last Western Roman emperor, got booted by a German chief named Odoacer. But that’s just a piece of the puzzle showing Rome’s slow fade over centuries.

The Roman Empire’s decline wasn’t quick or simple.

It started with inside squabbles and money troubles that weakened the empire from within. By the third century, Rome was knee-deep in crises—political chaos, cash problems, and losing battles. The empire was huge, which made running it tough, leading to mess-ups and bribes. Plus, taxes and prices were sky-high, wrecking the economy and ticking off the people.

A big hit came in 285 AD when Emperor Diocletian split the empire in two—East and West. It was meant to tidy things up, but it created two separate places with different jobs and issues. The East, which became the Byzantine Empire, kept on trucking for another thousand years, but the West struggled to keep its shine. Splitting up weakened the West, making it an easy target.

Then came the barbarians. These German tribes like the Visigoths, Vandals, and Ostrogoths saw Rome stumbling and pounced. When the Visigoths sacked Rome in 410 AD and the Vandals did it again in 455 AD, it showed how weak Rome had gotten. They didn’t just wreck stuff; they made the government look weak and made folks lose faith.

People often say the empire really fell in 476 AD when Romulus Augustulus got tossed aside. But that date’s kinda random since the empire had been slipping for years. Booting the last emperor was more about symbols ’cause power had already moved on. The East kept on calling itself Rome, keeping Roman ways and rules.

The Byzantine Empire surviving so long makes the question of Rome’s true fall trickier. They saw themselves as Romans, keeping Roman ways, laws, and order going till Constantinople fell in 1453. Some say that’s when Rome really ended. This shows how Roman ideas stuck around and changed instead of just crashing down.

So, Rome’s fall isn’t a one-shot deal. Booting Romulus in 476 AD marks the end of the West, but the bigger story’s about a slow slide caused by fights inside, money mess-ups, rule troubles, and the barbarian bashing. The East hanging on makes it even more complicated, proving Rome’s legacy was more than just a crash—it was a long, slow change. Getting what happened to Rome means seeing its long decline and how it transformed over time.

Cite this page

The Decline of the Roman Empire: When Did It Truly Fall?. (2024, Jul 21). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/the-decline-of-the-roman-empire-when-did-it-truly-fall/

"The Decline of the Roman Empire: When Did It Truly Fall?." PapersOwl.com , 21 Jul 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/the-decline-of-the-roman-empire-when-did-it-truly-fall/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Decline of the Roman Empire: When Did It Truly Fall? . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-decline-of-the-roman-empire-when-did-it-truly-fall/ [Accessed: 1 Nov. 2024]

"The Decline of the Roman Empire: When Did It Truly Fall?." PapersOwl.com, Jul 21, 2024. Accessed November 1, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/the-decline-of-the-roman-empire-when-did-it-truly-fall/

"The Decline of the Roman Empire: When Did It Truly Fall?," PapersOwl.com , 21-Jul-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-decline-of-the-roman-empire-when-did-it-truly-fall/. [Accessed: 1-Nov-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). The Decline of the Roman Empire: When Did It Truly Fall? . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/the-decline-of-the-roman-empire-when-did-it-truly-fall/ [Accessed: 1-Nov-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples History Roman Empire

Why Did the Roman Empire Fall

Table of contents, internal strife and political instability, economic challenges, military vulnerabilities, influence of external forces.

• Gibbon, E. (1788). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Strahan & Cadell.
• Heather, P. (2005). The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History. Macmillan.
• Ward-Perkins, B. (2005). The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization. Oxford University Press.
• Goldsworthy, A. (2009). How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower. Yale University Press.
• Kulikowski, M. (2017). Imperial Triumph: The Roman World from Hadrian to Constantine. Harvard University Press.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• Cuban Revolution
• Battle of Thermopylae
• Medieval Europe
• Alexander II
• Compromise of 1850

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.