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Since the Roman government refused to support the Germanic tribe, the Visigoths marched on Rome, defeating the numerous forces gathered to defend the city. In spite of the fact that the Romans were better experienced in warfare they did not stand a chance before the more powerful Germanic troops and Rome was rapidly conquered and robbed by the barbaric invaders (Salvian).
The citizens of Rome could not understand how a city as powerful as Rome could have fallen so quickly and how its greatness could be turned to dust by a group of unsophisticated individuals. St. Jerome describes the sacking of Rome and of the whole Eastern Roman Empire, depicting how the greatest and strongest Roman settlements turned into ruins consequent to being conquered by "nations innumerable and most savage" (St. Jerome). Jerome witnessed how in 410 A.D. The city that once ruled over most of the world ended up being the last resting place of the Empire. While there is much subjectivity in Jerome's words, those belonging to Gibbons are written from an objective standpoint. The English historian had little trouble understanding that Rome's condition in 410 A.D. was the aftermath of several centuries lived in depravity, unnecessary spending, and corruption....
Moreover, Gibbon considers that it is a puzzle how the Empire lasted for as much as it did.
The year 476 was the materialization of centuries of devastations brought by the people of Rome onto Rome. Until this year Roman Emperors stood helplessly and watched as their territories were conquered one by one with little to no resistance from the Roman troops guarding them. Romulus Augustulus was the last Roman Emperor and was deposed from his position by a German chieftain by the name of Odoacer (Africa 376).
Works cited:
1. Africa, Thomas W. The Immense Majesty: A History of Rome and the Roman Empire (Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson, 1991)
2. Diocletian (284-305 C.E.) & Constantine (308-337 C.E.): Efforts to Stabilize the Economy
3. Gibbon, Edward. (1841). "The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire, 1: with maps." Library of Catalonia.
4. Herodian of Syria (3rd Century C.E.): History of the Emperors: - How Didius Julianus Bought the Empire at Auction, 193 C.E.
5. Salvian: Romans and Barbarians, c. 440 C.E.
6. Strabo: Geography, V.iii, The Grandeur of Rome, c. 20 C.E.
7. St. Jerome: The Fall of Rome.
Works cited:
1. Africa, Thomas W. The Immense Majesty: A History of Rome and the Roman Empire (Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson, 1991)
2. Diocletian (284-305 C.E.) & Constantine (308-337 C.E.): Efforts to Stabilize the Economy
3. Gibbon, Edward. (1841). "The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire, 1: with maps." Library of Catalonia.
4. Herodian of Syria (3rd Century C.E.): History of the Emperors: - How Didius Julianus Bought the Empire at Auction, 193 C.E.
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