The Downfall of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire represented the greatest power and civilization in ancient history. Rome rose to such heights from a combination of superior military, political, and economic prowess. Ironically, it would be these same elements that would eventually cause the downfall of the Roman Empire. As Edward Gibbon maintains in The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, "�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 had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight" (Gill 1). Theories abound as to the reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire, including everything from lead poisoning to the rise of Christianity. In fact, it is generally felt that a combination of factors brought about the collapse of the Roman Empire. This analysis will explore some of the most significant factors in the downfall of the Roman Empire.

Without doubt, the sheer size of the Roman Empire due to continual conquest and expansion helped lead to its demise. Once Rome became a vast empire, one of the biggest challenges was maintaining conquered lands, especially those furthest removed from Rome. Conquered lands on the outskirts of the Empire were more vulnerable to attack by the Huns, Vandals, and other barbarians. Many Romans loyal t

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Republic. At the same time, the increasing power of the military served to play Emperors against the Senate. The government structures of Augustus had helped to consolidate power while seeming to support a return to a Republic. However, future Emperors recklessly abandoned any pretense of returning to a Republic or sharing power with the Senate. As Syme argues, "Later Roman Emperors, unafraid to use the title that Augustus tacitly held, gave up all pretense of maintaining or even valuing a Republic" (515). The Roman Empire continued to become much more diverse and widespread than it had been in earlier years. The powers of the provinces and non-Roman citizens also necessitated change, as did the growing significance of the army and the importance of defense. By the time that Diocletian became Emperor in 284 A.D., the Roman Empire was dramatically changed. The provinces had become increasingly wealth, but the finances and financial policies of the Empire had become unworkable and the economy itself weakened. Inflation, reduced economic activities, and the fragmentation of the governmental structure "were all commonplace and were instrumental in fostering the decline of Rome itself" (Adkins and Adkins 109). When the Empir

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