The fall of the Roman Empire was the decline in the Western Roman Empire in which the Regime failed to impose its rule, and its large territory was divided into numerous successor polities. The Roman Empire lost the powers that had allowed it to exert robust control over its Western provinces. This was the collapse of the economy’s strength, the health of the Roman population, and the competence of the emperors.
The Empire’s fall ran together with internal struggles for power, the religious changes of the period, and the decreasing efficiency of the civil administration.
So let’s find out why one of history’s most storied empires eventually came crashing down.
The economic dependence on slavery!
Rome’s mighty economy depended on slaves to work as craftsmen until its fields, and its military might have always provided a fresh influx of conquered peoples to put to cages. But when expansion ground to a permanent halt in the first century, Rome’s supply of slaves and other necessary war treasures began to dry up. Rome’s economy started falling due to a lack of laborers.
Umm, why did the expansion of Rome slow down?
Rome had involved itself with a brutal battle against Germanic tribes for centuries, but by the 300s, “barbarian” groups like the Goths had trespassed beyond the Empire’s borders. The Romans overcame a Germanic uprising in the late fourth century, but in 410, the Visigoth King Alaric famously sacked the city of Rome. The Empire spent the next few decades under continuous threat before “the Eternal City” was raided again in 455, this time by the infamous Vandals.
Finally, in 476, the Germanic leader Odoacer announced a revolt and removed Emperor Romulus Augustulus. From then on, no Roman emperor would ever again rule from a post in Italy, leading many to call 476 the year the Western Empire experienced its death blow.
Sounds fair enough, so what are the other reasons for the Fall of Rome?
Some historians also think Christianity played a part in Rome’s fall. The religion was legalized by Romans in 313 and became a state religion in 380. Although this judgment saw an end to the oppression of Christians, it also saw the dissolution of the Ancient Greeko-Roman religion, which worshipped various gods and viewed the emperor as a supernatural being. People moved towards worshipping one god, and nationalism died a death by irony in Rome.
What can the modern world learn from it?
- Economic Dependency on Slavery is a terrible, terrible idea. This is a lesson for Kim jong-un and other dictators. No matter how good your Empire is doing right now, if your economy survives on slavery, history will destroy your region, religion and promote such articles and videos on your fall.
- Tribes beyond your Empire’s boundaries must be respected, and the art of opening diplomatic channels is seriously underrated. I salute Chanakya and his brilliant diplomatic policy. Without him, India would’ve been a disintegrated place.
- A collision government is still better than a total collapse of the nation. The Romans couldn’t assimilate people with new ideas into their Empire, and so they fell apart.
- Loyalty is won through a common love for the land. Rome tried to force loyalty in newly conquered places by pushing everyone into slavery. If you demand respect, no matter what good work you’ve done, people will hate you. Ask Moammar Gaddafi.
Only three lessons, yes! I don’t want to go to the religious angle. It is 2021; barbarians now have a social media account.
Thank you, I am Nikhil Chandwani, and I hope you enjoyed this article. Don’t forget to like, leave your comments & share this piece.
