The Fall of the Roman Empire - Why Did the Roman Empire Collapse?

Why did the Roman Empire collapse?

The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires in the history of mankind and could be considered the most powerful empire to have ever existed. However, when discussing the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire one has to see that this occurred over many years and had many different aspects. When the mighty empire collapsed, it was their political corruptness, economic fall and weak military tactics that resulted in their decline. Also the fact that the empire extended itself too far made it too difficult for the leaders of Rome to control such an extensive empire as it encompassed most of the Mediterranean.

When discussing the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire the size of the vast empire is the number one issue to be addressed. The sheer size of the empire which many marveled at meant that maintaining power in the Roman Empire was extremely difficult and Rome itself greatly benefitted from the riches that the army brought back from its conquered territories. As the army's success started to weaken it was then when the Roman Empire started to fall.

Although Romans had so much power, their ending political status was demonstrated otherwise.The political corruptness of the Roman Empire was when the senate and officials accepted bribes and would offer positions to crazy and incompetent people for Emperors. This was the beginning of a fall when the civil revolts begun allowing the Plebeians to suffer as to these people who denied political responsibility. This growing weakness continued when Emperor Constantine divided the empire into two halves, "Western and Eastern Rome". The growing weakness of the Roman Empire was a result of the fall. It was under the rule of Diocletian and later Constantine that the empire be split into Western and Eastern parts of Rome, the emperors said that this way it will be easier to govern. Constantinople was the new capital of Roman society and claimed all ruling and power over all Eastern territory. This began a long struggle on the Western's behalf now that they were primarily left alone, they began to lose any remaining power over towns in the East, causing a significant loss in profits and debilitating them massively in warfare.

One of the main events which has had an effect on the fall of the Roman Empire was the decline of their military. The main reason for the decline of the military is the fact that they were under constant warfare. Roman citizens who were expected to enlist in brigades refused and would schemingly sign their slaves into their position. Forces from then on became very poor as the slaves lacked energy, weren't motivated and could not of cared less about the development of Rome. Romans and many men who had courageously served the empire years ago were not to be relied on either as they were retired and