The Fall Of The Western Roman Empire In 476 CE

Part I: The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE is a historical event that has puzzled historians for centuries, leading to various theories and debates about its causes. One crucial internal factor was the economic decline of the empire. According to Campbell (n.d.), by the time Emperor Diocletian assumed power in 284 CE, the Roman Empire was facing economic turmoil, with international trade networks failing and the vastly connected world of the empire nearly disappearing. Diocletian implemented reforms to stabilize the economy temporarily, but these measures did not endure long past his death. Additionally, weak rulers who rose too quickly and were often assassinated preceded Diocletian, contributing to political instability. Even after Diocletian's death, power struggles among rulers
The heavily wooded Germania posed a significant defense cost, leading to the concession of land to German tribes and a retreat to the Rhone and Danube Rivers. The Vandals, led by Gaiseric, took over North Africa, cutting off the Western Roman Empire from its crucial grain supply and further contributing to economic difficulties. A crucial aspect highlighted is the sense of Roman identity, or romanitas, and the treatment of non-Romans, especially Germanic tribes. Despite efforts to promote Roman identity through education and government policies, the Romans maintained a social superiority over non-Romans. This attitude played a role in diplomatic tensions and conflicts, as seen in the Battle of Adrianople in 378 CE, where a confederation of German tribes defeated the Romans. In summary, the fall of the Roman Empire was a complex event influenced by a combination of internal and external factors. Economic decline, political instability, and conflicts with external forces, particularly Germanic tribes, all played roles in the empire's