The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was one of the most expansive empires in history and spanned from the Mediterranean in Europe all the way to Africa and Asia. During its reign, the institutions and culture of Rome had a profound influence on the development of language, religion, architecture, philosophy, law, and forms of government. The expansionism of the Roman Empire was far reaching and it dictated the way of life for many around the world. Even though the Roman Empire’s duration lasted for 500 years and was considered among the most powerful empires of the time, it was not susceptible to collapsing. The Roman Empire’s last days were in the year of 476, when the last Roman Emperor ruled.
The Roman Empire was the strongest during the years of 98-117 A.D., and the empire stretched from Mesopotamia to the coasts of the Atlantic. The success of the empire was supported by a strong army and vast territories that expanded around the world. Still, despite the successes of the Roman Empire, there was a crisis in the years between 313-376 AD when the Roman Empire experienced its first fragile state. During this time, tribes in Germany became more populous and threatening and there was widespread insecurity and economic decline. This period was wrought with pirate attacks and economic depressions. Though it was not the end of the Roman Empire, this was a foreshadowing of what would come in later centuries, and was the first instance of a vulnerable empire. It was not until 408-410 AD when the Roman Empire experienced starvation in Italia and major rebellions on the empire. This was preceded by civil wars and invasions, though the collapse of the Roman Empire is deemed on the 4 of September in 476 when a faulty emperor took the throne under false conditions against the Roman Constitutional theory. By this time, the emperor’s power was reduced to being puppets of the warlords, and they did not have political sway. Still, this was a move that resulted in the murder of the last Roman Emperor and marks the official end of the empire.
The legacy of the Roman Empire still exists today in Western Europe, and all sectors including manufacture, trade, architecture, education, and international law has all been affected by the Roman Empire. Despite the fall of the empire, it is still considered one of the most important periods and legacy in human history.
