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At its height, the Roman Empire stretched from Scotland in the northern hemisphere to the deserts of Africa in the south. The empire lasted for over 500 years, although its eastern part, the Byzantine Empire, lasted for several more centuries. When the empire collapsed, hordes of barbarian armies, including the infamous Vandal pirates, invaded Italy throughout the fifth century AD. Rome was transformed from a bustling city of millions to a provincial town of a few thousand, surrounded by swamps. The anarchy of the Dark Ages had begun.
Although there has been no shortage of theories, it has never been clear why Rome became so vulnerable to foreign invaders at this time. Political instability, the collapse of food supplies to Rome, and even the infamous lead in the water supplies have all been implicated. Or maybe Rome just became too big, and could not handle itself properly? I'm asking you your theory on why one of the largest empires came to ruin. Lets go people.
> Complacency, and failing to address outside threats soon enough.
>
> Thankfully history is not repeating itself.
No it's the closer to home threats that look like "doing things in" this time.
BOOOORIIIIING
*Walks out*
> yeah, size is the main reason.
>
>
> just think - if you owned a single corner shop, it would be much
> easier to control and protect than say, 200 corner shops - all by
> yourself.
Especially if radgies are constantly harassing your corner shops and you are also corrupt; stealing money and produce from the counter.
Secondly there was social and political decline; the Roman Catholic Church was begining to take the reigns of government as the Roman Emperors became complacant and corrupt. Indeed many Roman Emperors were often assassinated before anything could be done to address issues.
There were a series of plagues and declining birth rates of Romans. Too few of working age were being born: the population was ageing.
Around 50 BC the Roman army was 90% Roman but by 400 AD this figure is estimated to be around 5%. Most of the army was thus more mercenary and equipment became scarce as well as training. The army became subject to bribary as the Empire could periodically not pay them.
As the Empire disintigrated the Romans lost valuble resources hastening the decline further.
The last Roman Emperor in 475 AD was sold out by the Roman Commander (and Ostrogoth I belive) who then made Italy his own kingdom.
The Empire faced pressure from North England as well as in the Middle-East by Persia. The Empire just could not afford the expense after a while.
Plus the centre of the Empire had shifted from Rome to Constantinople (Established in 330 AD, now Istanbul; Turkey) that was safer, had a better port, was more prosperous, less pressed by migration and more heavilly fortified. Indeed the Imperial Court tended to attract more to this city instead of Rome by the late 3rd Century AD.
> Why aren't you President of The Entire Universe of Everything?
Because it's not enough for a megalomaniac like myself.
just think - if you owned a single corner shop, it would be much easier to control and protect than say, 200 corner shops - all by yourself.