Fall of the Roman Empire

The year 476 AD is the most commonly accepted date for the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, but the causes of this collapse stretch back over a few centuries. The Roman Empire was vast and powerful, so its disintegration was far from simple. There were many layers, and they can be divided into three categories:

i. Military Issues

- Forces are spread out, too much territory

- Huns forcing barbarians into empire

- Very few Romans in the Roman army

ii. Leadership Issues

- No line of succession

- Generals fought civil wars for power

- Greed

iii. Economic Issues

- Citizens had to pay heavy taxes to finance huge armies

- People stopped trusting Roman coinage

- Emperors wasted money on parties and luxuries