The Fall of Rome
The Roman Empire at its height spanned much of the known world. Rome through its military conquests had put a chokehold on the entirety of the Mediterranean Sea, thus asserting itself as the channel through which all trade within Western Europe occurred. Such geographical dominance included Roman territories ranging from Roman conquests in what are today, England through territories in Africa and the Middle East. Roman successes as described demonstrated the authority Rome commanded at its zenith, similarly, it also foreshadowed a dooming trend that eventually incurred the ultimate downfall of the Western Roman Empire. While Rome’s destruction cannot be attributed to one crucial mistaken that directly lead to their immediate demise, there are certain trends that when combined played an intricate part in causing Rome’s fall. Rome’s success was perhaps the direct cause of their destruction. As described by Herodotus in “The Histories” Hubris is the leading cause for the destruction of empires. Rome at its height overextended its self for its governmental structure, thus by over expanding it lost a sense of Roman nationality among its army, citizens, and even its bureaucrats. Countless factors have played a hand in the downfall of Rome; however, Rome’s overexpansion was the causation for all other ensuing factors.
Roman insatiability for annexing new territories has been evident throughout the empires history; it was a mindset that lead to their ascension as a world power. Rome in order to become the empire they were known for was first charged with creating a nation. Rome’s first conquests of expansion began by controlling the Italian peninsula, the most crucial backbone to their empire. Previously Italy had been a segmented peninsula controlled by various tribes and principalities, however, Rome due to its military might was able to successfully annex and subdue the peninsula. As accounted by Polybius “They succeeded everywhere to a marvel, and reduced to obedience all the tribes inhabiting Italy” ( Histories. Polybius 1.6). Conquering Italy however did not quench Rome’s thirst for expansion. “I may now fitly close this book. I have completed the introduction and laid the foundation on which my history must rest. I have shown when, how, and why the Romans, after becoming supreme in Italy, began to aim at dominion outside of it” (Histories. Polybiuspg.2.71). Rome’s fervent hunger to expand, was a trend that propelled Rome to further its conquests past the Italian peninsula. Rome in the year B.C.E. 264 had set its gaze upon its nearest neighbor in the Mediterranean Sea, and island that would strategically give them partial dominance over the pertinent water trade routes of the known world-Sicily. “I shall accordingly have to describe what the state of their affairs in Italy was, how long that settlement had lasted, and on what they reckoned, when they resolved to invade Sicily. For this was the first place outside Italy in which they set foot” (Histories. Polybius. pg. 1.5). Roman expansion into Sicily initiated the onset of what are known as the Punic wars with Carthage- a series of wars that played a crucial role in shaping the Roman Empires rise to domination. The Punic wars marked a period of turmoil and bloodshed within the Roman Empire. The ensuing three wars tormented both Rome and Carthage for over a century ranging from 264-146 B.C.E , and was the catalyst for hundreds of thousands of deaths on both sides. It is pertinent to note that the Punic wars not only taxed Rome for its resources, but also perhaps for the first time illustrated an outside entity challenging the power of Rome, and ultimately serving as a validation of Roman supremacy. Following the defeat of Carthage Rome annexed what was left of Carthage’s territories, in essence doubling the Roman Empire within a period of less than a century. Such a drastic change to Rome effectively changed most if not all
intellectual, economic, and social reasons. Political Reasons for the Fall of Rome Rome had never been able to establish an orderly system to replace Emperor upon death. The empire was divided by civil wars between leading Roman families. The government became inefficient and corrupt. The citizens felt little loyalty to government. The empire ended up becoming too large to administer efficiently. Social Reasons for Fall of Rome Roman cities were breeding grounds for disease. Population declined…
Lauryn Bell Mr. Miller Global History 12/18/2014 There are many factors to blame for the Fall of Rome. Many people believe that the size of the empire was a major factor. Christianity also had a major impact on Romans and and helped lead to it’s fall. A third part of the fall was the division of the empire. Although, these may not be all, these all had an enormous influence on the fall. After the Roman Empire expanded to the point that it was too hard to control, people started to devel…
The Fall of Rome The fall of Rome came about through a multitude of aspects, over a period of time. This decline started in the first century AD. Many contributing factors brought about the demise of Rome such as political instability, faulty decision making, weak leadership, militant failures, and the rise of Christianity. The most significant of the factors which contributed to Rome's demise would be those brought about by the Emperors of this era, most notably Diocletian and Constantine; the…
The “Fall” of Rome When a relationship falls apart it is from more than one problem. Just as a relationship can end from cheating, growing apart or going different paths it’s not hard for an empire to end. Even if the bond between them is serious it can collapse just like Rome. Political instability, economic and civic decay, and military mistakes were some of the reasons why Rome fell. Of these, the most important reason was political instability. One important reason Rome fell was from military…
The Fall of Rome When most people hear about a great empire, the first thing they do is think of Rome. Rome has a rich history and it all started with one man, Alexander the Great. Sadly, all good things have to come to an end and Rome eventually fell into a downward spiral. Although Greece was conquered, Rome still had a little life in it but declined over hundreds of years due to uncaring citizens, slaves, and welfare. Rome, like every society, had a social order. The majority of that social…
Rise and fall of an Empire Beginning in its earliest history as Roman society began to develop the social norms and expectations, one of the lead ideals was the ability to absorb, and unite with outsiders. They adapted others to their way of life and also took in the knowledge of the peoples they conquered. Rome’s central focus was family, having a large, noisy household and entourage was a sign of social success. The belief was held that the gods wanted the Romans to rule the world through military…
and in influence, its decline cannot be attributed to one pinpointed cause. Instead, the fall of Rome is reasoned to have occurred because of militaristic, economic, political and societal problems: some controllable, and some consequential. Specifically, disease, political and economic turmoil, and social and societal change, all attributed to the downward spiral of the Roman Empire. After the fall of Rome, anarchy took place in the parts of Europe that it occupied. During this anarchy, civilization…
Power, Religion, and Conflict Go Hand in Hand The destruction of the Western portion of the Roman Empire was much like a human stepping on a thriving ant hill. It scattered the Romans throughout the land, but luckily, the Catholic Church was there to regroup them. As most, if not all Romans were Catholic, their first cry for help went out to God. Apparently, it was answered by the surprising order that was withheld throughout the Church. That was the Roman peoples only tiny sliver of organization…
Are We Rome? Analyze the Rise and Fall of Rome and Compare this to the U.S. today History tends to repeat itself. This is true for civilizations around the globe as well as individuals in their daily lives. Humans tend to make the same mistake over and over again. The Great Roman Empire that surivived for over 2000 years left exquisite remains that stand the earth to this day. The Roman scribes and literature is still studied by historians and philosophers. Indeed, the Roman Empire made it presence…
The Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire Why a Roman “Fall” ● Instability caused by no real plan of succession ● Generals fought for power ● In one 50year period there were 26 rulers ● Trouble on the borders ● Morally bankrupt leadership ● High cost to maintain Army led to high taxes ● Farmers left land and the middle classes fell into poverty ● Moral decay of culture ● Loss of faith in Rome ● Values such as patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty declined…