The fall of Rome was caused by political instability due to government corruption; economic troubles from taxation, overreliance on slaves, oppressive taxation and inflation; and barbaric invasions from tribes respectively.
Political instability
The government corruption in and between the Praetorian Guard, Senate, and rulers
Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Euphrates River, governing Ancient Rome had become difficult but with unsuccessful and unreliable leadership, it only worsened the issue. Western Rome faced few major civil wars prior to Marcus Aurelius’ reign. However, after his death in 180 A.D., and until the removal of Ancient Rome’s last emperor, Augustulus in 476, the empire witnessed over 100 instances of armed violence as would-be usurpers, usually generals or other officers who supported some rival claimant to the throne, challenged emperors. These conflicts brought high casualties, interrupted training and the manpower supply, exhausted military manpower, and left the frontiers vulnerable. The political system became progressively chaotic when in 75 years, over 20 men became emperor, usually after their predecessor’s murder. Some struggles lasted years, and most of the emperors and usurpers died at the hands of their own subordinates. Although emperors frequently put a tremendous amount of money into the army, principally in their bodyguards, the Praetorian Guard, to assure they would not be killed, many still were. This was partly due to the Praetorian Guard’s rot, who placed and murdered emperors when they wished, and auctioned the station to the highest bidder. Even the Roman Senate failed to moderate the excess number of emperors due to its own dishonesty and ineffectiveness. In an attempt to make the empire easier to govern, emperor Diocletian in the late 3rd century divided Ancient Rome. However, the parts were unable to co-operate. The Eastern Empire flourished while the Western experienced financial problems. Emperors debased the currency through rampant spending and treasury bankruptcy, which in turn led to escalating inflation. Particularly in the west, corruption was widespread, and as bureaucracy would continue seeking their illegal cut, changes to taxation was more difficult. Civic pride diminished as the condition worsened, and distrust of the political system spread through the population. When the west’s political system had finally fallen in 5th century, it had marked the end of the great ancient empire, which had started with humble beginnings as a small town in Italy in 753 B.C.E.
Barbaric invasions
The military pressure from barbaric tribes on Ancient Rome
The barbarians, a diverse and changing group of outsiders, were welcomed by Rome, who promoted them to positions of power, and used them as suppliers of taxes and manpower for the army. But Rome also lost revenue and territory to them when they decided to turn against their employers, and conquer Rome for themselves, instead. They did not want to invade, but they wanted to be part of the empire, sought a better life, and at first did not appear to be an immediate threat. As Rome failed to act to their requests, tensions grew and when Rome refused, they attacked. Rome successfully held off the invading groups for centuries, but eventually weakened in the 4th century, enabling them to enter the empire’s territory and sack the city. For Ancient Rome, the sack of 410 AD marked the beginning of the end. For the following several decades it was under endless threat while invaders like the Visigoths, Saxons, and Franks ate at Roman territory. In the 5th century, the Vandals conquered North Africa and prowled the Mediterranean as raiders, disrupting the empire’s trade. Meanwhile, Sueves, Alans, and Visigoths invaded Spain. By 475, Italy remained as the Western Empire as various Germanic people won Spain, Britain, and portions of Gual. Even after the defeat of the Huns, another invading group, at the Battle of Chalons, by Rome, they continued to sack several Italian cities. These losses meant Western Rome lost revenue, territory, and administrative control. The loss of revenue could not support a military to protect the already exposed frontiers. Trade was disrupted due to constant war while crops were destroyed by the barbarians. The Empire began to lose its grip, and with its economy faltering and its commercial and agricultural production in decline, and as more money was put into the military, technological advancement reduced, and civil infrastructure fell into disorder. In 476 AD, the Germanic leader Odoacer staged a revolt and overthrew the last Western Empire’s Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, ultimately marking the end of the ancient empire.
Economic troubles
The diminishing of sources of revenue, and severe taxation and inflation
When the Roman Empire reached its zenith, it encompassed nearly 2 million square miles and some 60 million people, but when expansion stopped in the second century, its economic troubles only began. Its supply of slaves and other war treasures began to deplete and since its economy had become dependant on slaves for agriculture, craftsmen, and military, it began to suffer. With an accumulation of needy people crowding towns and dependent on welfare, the lack of the incoming slaves and income no longer was able to stimulate the economy. Extreme inflation and taxation only helped to enlarge the wealth gap. Many rich people, to avoid taxation, escaped to the country and set independent fiefdoms. The situation only worsened when Emperor Diocletian divided the Empire into two, in the third century, to make the empire easier to govern. Over time the two drifted apart and often squabbled over resources and military aid, and as the gulf widened, the Eastern Empire grew in wealth while the West descended into economic crisis. Rome’s financial situation only worsened through constant wars. The Vandals seized North Africa and started damaging Rome’s commerce by travelling the Mediterranean as pirates. Losing Africa meant losing income, and in turn, losing income meant there was less revenue to fund a military to protect the Empire. It continued to struggle to marshal enough troops and resources to defend its borders from local rebellions and outside attacks. Poor management, the dole (bread and circuses), the hoarding of bullion by Roman citizens, the widespread looting of the Roman treasury by barbarians, and a massive trade deficit with the eastern regions of the empire combined together to escalate the financial stress. As more and more funds were funneled into the military upkeep of the empire, technological advancement slowed and Rome’s civil infrastructure fell into disrepair. With the economy stumbling and the agricultural and commercial production declining, Rome’s grip on Europe had ultimately weakened and by 476 C.E., the magnificent empire had eventually fallen to its knees.
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Ancient Roman Civilization 