Who was responsible for the fall of Rome?

Question

I'm not sure, but if it is who I'm thinking, we could be next.

Not illegals. No

Answer 1

They allowed the illegal alien barbarians to form basis of their legions. I believe they were the Visigoths. The military was in decline, the folks back home were decadent, too busy living their lives of leisure, they became weak and weren't able to survive the waves of newer peoples from the east.

Answer 2

This is not as simple a question as one might believe.

There are many reasons that can be cited for the fall of the Roman Empire. The barbarians who raided (or illegal immigrants if you care to call them that) are one cause. The welfare state (bread and circuses) in which each citizen was entitled to a wine and grain ration contributed. The decadence of the ruling class and corruption of the military contributed.

In my opinion, the elimination of the system of client states surrounding the Empire is one of the biggest factors. I will provide details for this one.

Initially the Empire was surrounded by small countries that were ruled locally and had a Roman Prefect who was an ambassador, but with additional powers. Each of these local states had its own military and was responsible for defending itself. They paid tribute in products and resources to Rome in return for protection. If a threat was too big for them to handle, Rome sent help.

Rome had about 30 legions, never more as well as auxiliary forces (part of the tribute) from each of the client states. These troops were stationed around the empire and when needed were rushed to the area where help was required (they could march very quickly over the roads built and maintained by the Empire). Also since Rome was responding to a threat to a client, defense in depth was more feasible. In short most barbarian raids slow and weaken as they get deeper into your territory. It is easier to round them up and eliminate them as they disperse and even as they are leaving.

Once Rome annexed the client states, the local militaries all were disbanded. Now instead of having a “force in-being” or the threat that in theory Rome could send several legions to squash you, there were simply legions tied down acting as garrisons. The barbarians now knew exactly what forces they would have to deal with and how to deal with them.

Garrison troops, by their very nature are generally less efficient in battle. These legions began to have less and less of their theoretical strength available for combat. Attrition was higher (more on this in a minute). Instead of having the 5400 troops which is the paper strength of a legion, some had as few as 1000 men available for combat.

Another issue with this was that one of the benefits of retiring from the legion was a small grant of land and a mustering out pay. Do you want to guess where all of the available land was? Yes, near the borders. The land and pay was enough to plant a retiring legionnaire solidly in the middle class. Oh, it also had the side effect of providing for a cadre of experienced soldiers who had good reasons to form local reserve militias. As the other problems increased, fewer men retired, cutting down on the number of these local leaders.

Answer 3

Rome never fell. It just shifted its international military strength to Religion Strength. Rome is the Capital of all conquests during the midieval times. At present, it is the Capital of the biggest non-Muslim religion - the Roman Catholic Church. Members of its religion influences the governments and controls much of the countries all over the world. No country is as powerful as the Vatican of Rome.

You should visit Rome so you will see the center of the universe.

Answer 4

This is a generalization, but it was the Emperor system. Rome had expanded to nearly its greatest area under the Republic. Men of the Republic each expected to have their chance to participate in government, if they had the ability. The emperors eliminated potential adversaries. They kept close to the capital, and prevented Generals from engaging in campaigns that would enhance their esteem.

In the US we are getting close to this stage. The first thing anyone thinks about are candidates from political dynasties; Kennedy, Clinton, Bush, etc.

Answer 5

We will not be next if we hold together. The Roman empire was spread out too far for them to manage. The roman empire was destroyed from within. First thing we need to do is get rid of the cancer of the left wing who want to destroy this nation.

Answer 6

Romans were responcible. The cared more about fiestas and being re-elected than the good of their country. They built a huge welfare system and ingored the , yes, illegal aliens, who plundered the edges of the country. A lot of other stuff, too.

Answer 7

The rich, spoiled upper class's that wasted all the money on travel, imported foods, the best clothing, homes, toys, and so on. Also, foreign war cost a fortune and where not productive.
Does this ring a bell?

Answer 8

well, first Rome has not fallen, and if it has, it was not anyone alive today.....now if you were talking about the Empire....well, the was greed and separation of power......east and west ......they did not want to help each other......and they fell one at a time.....but you are right, if the Libs and Consevatives don't get together, we could be next

Answer 9

1. Lead money. It plays merry hell with the brain. Because it was currency, the people were already sort of weird.
2. Inbreeding. Creates stupid kids.

Answer 10

Have you seen a bunch of Visigoths and Huns around lately?