The decline and fall of the Roman Empire

Roman Empire Collapse

There is much controversy regarding the time when the Roman Empire collapsed, given that it is uncertain whether this matter concerns the Eastern Roman Empire, the Western Roman Empire, or the Roman Empire as a whole before it divided. In spite of the debates about this date, most history scholars tend to agree that the last day of the Roman Empire was September 4, 476, at the time when the last Roman Emperor was removed from his position by Odoacer, a German leader. It is no surprise that the Empire fell when it did, considering that this was a product of several centuries during which morality fell beyond repair, the state had lost significant resources while fighting wars across the realm, corruption was flourishing, and the barbaric tribes grew stronger and stronger.

One can easily claim that one of the central reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire was its power, and its people thirst for power. In spite of the fact that it would seem ridiculous for power to be the cause of failure, this was the case in Rome, as people could not deal with the responsibilities they had and thus turned to committing immoralities.

Roman Emperors were certainly uninterested in costs when it came to entertainment (of themselves and of the masses) with various games and festivities. As related by the Greek historian Strabo, the greatness of Rome had come to rival and even surpass that of Greece. This account is particularly notable because some of the Roman Empire's greatest buildings had not yet been constructed at the time when Strabo addressed the Greek audience on the topic of Rome. The Greek historian appeared to be amazed at the character Romans conveyed through their actions. The people of Rome were determined to be in accordance with the latest trends and thus they did not hesitate to demolish their houses in order to build new ones in their place, which had fresh contemporary designs (Strabo). Large amounts of wood and stone flowed into Rome in the years previous to its fall, this being an actual reasons for which the Empire experienced an economic crisis in I-V centuries A.D. The architecture present in Rome at the time when Strabo visited it was certainly impressive for the period, as resources were disregarded by Romans in favor of exhibiting opulence.

With the power most people in Rome came across as a result of the successes their army experienced in the previous years, it was almost impossible for most not to fall victim to corruption. The quest for power, depravity, and wealth became the principal goal in the streets of Rome. Instead of inheriting the honor and the courage their ancestors demonstrated, most Romans took over the vices their forerunners lived through. Lust and luxury were some of the primary Roman values for many citizens of the Empire, this making it even harder for most honest individuals to keep their principles. A series of Emperors did not care for their subjects, feeling that their well-being was more important, being indifferent to the difficulties the Roman Empire experienced, and influencing the people or Rome to be less interested in their future (Gibbon, Edward; 1841; 85).

The Praetorian Guards were the bodyguards looking after Roman Emperors and their influence grew in strength to the point where they were the ones to decide whether an individual did or did not have the right to rule over the Empire. In the case of Emperor Elagabalus they proved that they were not willing to support depravity and assisted the Emperor's cousin, Alexander Severus, in replacing the Roman leader on the throne (Gibbon, Edward; 1841; 85). In spite of demonstrating their dedication to the empire in the case of Alexander Severus, the Praetorian Guards gave an example of the Empire's corruption several years earlier, at the time when they killed Emperor Pertinax because of the discipline he tried to impose on his personal protectors. Herodian of Syria recounts this episode, relating to the unscrupulousness present in the camps of the Praetorian Guard, as most soldiers belonging to the camp were only interested in their well-being and in that of their group. These men perfectly exemplify Rome as it had been in the centuries preceding its fall, as they had no interest in moral values or in the future of the Empire, focusing their attention of themselves (Herodian of Syria).

With the purpose of make sure that their position would not be threatened by future Emperors, the Praetorian Guards sold the throne to the individual who bided highest for it and who guaranteed that he would not take their privileges away from them. The fact that the guards had no regard to the social status or to the values promoted by the person who would become Emperor materialized in the naming of a mediocre citizen of Rome named Julius in the position. The success experienced by Julius and the Praetorian Guards in coming to rule over the Empire was short lived however, as matters quickly changed when Septimius Severus returned to Rome and revenged Pertinax, killing Julius and the Praetorian leaders (Herodian of Syria).

Prices in the Roman Empire went up all across the thirteenth century, making it almost impossible for people to keep up with the times. In spite of all this however, people were reluctant to accept having to give up their spending habits and continued to spend heavily on merchandise coming in from all parts of the world. Inflation thrived in the era, with prices being thousands of times higher in comparison to how they were in the second century (Diocletian).

The task of recovering the economy was beyond the powers of any Emperor, regardless of the innovative economic strategies he implemented. It is likely that not even present day economists could manage to assist Rome in its struggle to regain its former glory, for the losses experienced by the Empire were irretrievable. In spite of the fact that there were little chances for Rome's economy to be saved from a catastrophic ending, several Emperors attempted to install policies meant to reduce the effects the economy had on the people of Rome. Emperor Diocletian himself believed that it was hopeless for him to attempt to revive the Roman economy, recognizing his efforts to do so as being absurd. He emphasized the fact that the depraved people of Rome only contributed to making the mission even more difficult than it was, bearing in mind that they were devoted to maintaining excessive lifestyles. Notwithstanding that, he imposed an exaggerate taxation system and persecution in hope that this would better the economy and prevent people from falling victim to depravity. The measures he imposed were overstressing for the people of Rome, but they proved to be beneficial for the Empire as a whole, given that it was no longer on the verge of collapse and it continued to last for another century consequent to Diocletian's abdication (Gibbon, Edward; 1841; 223).

Following Diocletian's on the throne, Constantine I appeared to be more caring toward moral values and to the public's needs. He brought Christianity into Rome by abolishing the laws previously given by Diocletian a propos Christians and the banning of their religion from the capital of the Roman Empire. While this improved conditions in Rome and made it possible for Christians to live with little restrictions relating to their religious orientation, it damaged the Roman system, which was built in accordance with several principles who were threatened by Christianity.

While the Roman Empire went through difficult times during the late fourth century, conditions worsened along with Theodosius's decision to split the Empire between his two sons, Arcadius and Honorius. Honorius took the western part of the Empire whereas Arcadius came to rule over the Eastern Roman Empire. With the new Emperor in the Western Roman Empire expressing naivety through his actions, influential people across the Empire and enemies of Rome realized that it had been a good time for them to assume power. While the Germanic tribes took their roles seriously, Roman leaders considered the task of taking over power to be one that would take up little effort. Generals like Constantine III and Gerontius ignored their assigned missions and decided that Honorius's rule facilitated their attempts to become Emperors of the Western Roman Empire. However, blinded by their pursuit for power, the two generals ignored the imminent threat represented by the Germanic tribes and left their guard down. A large number of European tribes occupied territories within the borders on the Roman Empire as a result. However, this was not the greatest concern for the citizens of Rome.

During the time in which the Roman government struggled to impose its power over the deserting generals, conditions in Rome were tensioned, with the Visigoths becoming more and more concerned with their social status. Even though a large part of the Eastern Germanic tribe resided in Italy ever since 378 A.D., they received little privileges and were treated with disrespect by the Romans. Under the ruling of their new king, Alaric, the Visigoths decided that they deserved gold in order to live in decency. 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).