By: Mackenzie P. 2014
       
      Although the Roman civilization was known for its brutality, violence, and barbaric ways (i.e. gladiators fighting in the Colosseum), it was very progressive/sophisticated for its time period and should also be remembered for its amazing engineering skills, artistic legacies, and contributions to law. One single factor is not enough to be blamed for the decline of this civilization; rather, there are multitudes of competing reasons. I believe the Roman Empire eventually collapsed because of repeated Barbarian invasions, the emperors became less capable, the Roman army was licentious/selfish, and rampant inflation.

Mausoleum of Hadrian, Rome

       To begin, Barbarian invasions became more common as the fifth century drew to a close. Towns were rampaged, loot was carried off, and the Barbarians often times settled in portions of the actual Empire. For example, the Visigoths (who had been pushed farther and farther south from their homeland because of the Huns) entered and sacked Rome in 410 CE. This breach signaled a complete degradation of the Empire; if Rome, the once splendid capital city of Augustus was attacked, then no province or city in the Empire was safe. The city was plundered for three days, and the gothic leader, Alaric, even took Galla Placidia, Emperor Theodosius’ sister, captive. Besides the Visigoths, other barbarian tribes such as the Vandals and Huns overran the Empire. The Vandals eventually moved into North Africa, took control of Carthage, and established a Barbarian kingdom there. Hence, the Empire lost an important agricultural province and its other resources as well. In 455 CE, the Vandals sacked Ostia and Rome again, snuffing out the life and dignity of the cities once and for all.

Temple of Venus and Roma, Rome

Ruins from an ancient Roman fish factory, Barcelona

       Next, the declining quality and intelligence of the Emperors as well as the increasing rapidity with which they were replaced, contributed to the fall of Rome. Along with the ignorant leaders, the bureaucracy (established by Diocletian) was corrupt, bloated, and unpopular with the poor, wealthy, and middle-class alike. Emperors were often times mere puppets for power-hungry military generals. For example, the provincial general Stilicho was pseudo-regent over Honorius, a dim-witted son of Theodosius. Manipulating the idle youth to his advantage, Stilicho wanted to eventually gain control of the Eastern court (c. 395 CE). When comparing the triumphs of well-known emperors such as Trajan, Augustus, or Vespasian with emperors like Majorian, Honorius, or Glycerius (who barely get a mention in history books), it hints at how much the office of leadership had eroded. Additionally, the Emperors were chosen on the whims of the capricious army, which only appointed men (whether they were capable or not) if they promised large sums of money (donatives) to the soldiers.

Pantheon, Rome

Bust of Antoninus Pius, British Museum, London

       Although an army is supposed to protect its nation’s borders and inspire confidence in the citizens, the Roman army profoundly changed during the later years of Rome’s life. Instead of wholesome, jingoistic native Romans fighting to defend their homes, the army was composed mostly of mercenary troops or Germanic barbarians who had no real ties to the Roman Empire. Whether it lived or died, the new troops did not care (they only cared if they got paid handsomely). This created contagious disloyalty, incoherent legions (which allowed more Barbarians to flee into Rome’s borders), and an unstable environment (the barbarians rather follow/fight for their own aims, not Rome’s). In a sense, Rome could no longer raise a national army; it was deduced to paying for outside, unreliable help. Also, the new German soldiers (and hoards of German residences) were not incorporated fully into Roman society. The wealthy elite became prejudice and did not let outsiders wield any real power (i.e. talented generals like Anthemius and Arbogast not being able to rise above the rank of “general”).

Bust of Trajan, British Museum, London

       Finally, the Western Roman Empire fell because of a disastrous economic situation. Because of widespread inflation, the poor became poorer and rich became much wealthier. The poor were also forced to pay the majority of taxes because the rich landowners paid off the tax collectors or found ways to exempt their taxes altogether. Because of the lack of income, the central government essentially ran out of money (which is never good for sustaining a healthy government). The poor, in order to pay off debt/taxes, became indentured servants on the wealthy landowners’ farms (creating tensions between the rich and the poor). As time wore on, the poor began to hate the bureaucracy and the wealthy simply ignored it, forming the grounds of medieval feudalism. Patriotic loyalty as seen in the Republic and early Empire was dead.

Bust of Vespasian, British Museum, London

Roman Floor Mosaic, British Museum, London

Underground Roman ruins, Barcelona