What was the reason the roman empire crumbled?

Answer 1

There are a lot of reasons, no single problem caused them to fall. It was like straw on a camel's back, all these little problem finally added up to cause their collapse. Here is my short list;
1) Christianity. The Romans seemed to lose a couple steps on the battlefield when they embraced Christianity. They no longer had the blood lust and fire that led them to so many victories in Pagan times.
2). Corruption in the government. The emporers seemed to be more and more incompetent as time went by. They seemed more concerned with their lavish lifestyles than mainting the empire.
3). Relying to much on foreigners and mercenaries to do their fighting for them. For some reason late in the Roman era, less and less Roman citizens seemed to be joining the Army and the government become very dependent on Barbarians and mercenaries whose loyalties were questionable at best. These people would later use their training and arms against the Romans themselves. Maybe some of this has to do with the Romans converting to Christianity?

Answer 2

The fall of Rome in 476 is just the quick answer. Most peasants living throughout the empire probably never noticed - the Senate survived for another hundred years and warlords kepts the administration pretty much stable - for most, the fall of Rome was something that was looked back on, not noticed at the time.

The primary reasons would be bad economic policy, stifling of tech progress, and poor crops (possibly climate shift). The various areas slowly retreated from town and city living to work in the fields to replace the lack of slave labor and the lack of economic opportunities. Because there was no influx of slave labor, and new tech was rarely allowed, people had to return to old ways of farming without help. People turned their attention to their immediate lives and local landlords (who grew into Medieval lords and kings as time went on). With this, education and culture dropped. And with this commerce and trade dropped further. It was a cycle until most areas were self-sufficient and needed (and contributed) little to Rome.

The sacking of Rome was just a symbolism of this weakness. The administrators of the gov had stopped caring about the other areas and spent money on their lives instead, slowly draining any financial power Rome had left.

While decadence and religion are oftern mentioned, it is not true. The average person worked harder than before, and the empire became more Christian as it fell apart. The empire was almost entirely Christian by the time it ceased. The decadence of a few in charge couldnt bring about the fall (or else it would have happened centuries sooner).

Also, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) continued until the mid 1400s. And it was not known as Byzantium until centuries later, it was still called the Roman Empire in its time.

Answer 3

It is a very simple principle that must always be believed: Anything that develops too big, will one day crumble. Just for a few sad examples, for illustration purposes, but please take no offence---the 70kg person who eats and eats until he reaches 400kg will lie on the bed permanently as his legs can no longer carry his body, a 4 storied building which had two more storeys and big water tanks added on finally collapsed with the loss of many lives, the most massive rocket, plane, ship or land vehicle that is ever to be built will one day also cause a major catastrophe with the loss of many lives...
Big or bulky isn't really nice, convenient or efficient-- it gives more problems and is harder to see when one dwells inside. So this principle can equally be applied to large communities and countries. Being medium-sized is the best for better survival.

Answer 4

The same reason all empires crumble, years of fighting within the conquered nations that made up the empire, wanting their freedoms, costly wars, greed and tyranny, it didn't happen overnight but overtime and seeing how Rome had held sway over much of the Mediterranean and outlying reaches for centuries it was inevitable that it would crumble down one day.

Answer 5

There were several reasons, a big one was Christianity. another big one was the move of the capital from Rome to Constantinople by Constantine. With a new Capital City, Rome was at the mercy of Barbarians, and they just simply beat the Romans, til the Empire fell in the 5th Century AD

O

Answer 6

The same reason a cookie crumbles. Too much pressure around the edges and some rather significant nibbling.

Answer 7

A professor has stated the Roman empire collapsed because they cut down the forests, which led to land-slides, which blocked their shipping (trade) routes...

You will find that account + other reasons at:
www.the-alternative.org.uk
Free e-Book
Chapter 15: Religion / Bible Studies

Answer 8

the fall of the roman empire of Occident was due to several causes, but one was that the Huns were pushing from the East, and that provoked the Gauls and other tribes, to flee from their regions (now France and Germany) and invade the center of the empire, creating unbalance and disaster

Answer 9

There have been lots of suggestions from Christianity to malaria, with lead poisoning included. Also Rome was in a hopeless geographical position - Constantinople was a far better site. But all civilisations run out of steam in the end. I just think their day was over.

Answer 10

There wasn't just one reason, just as there will not be "just one reason" for the collapse of the Western World. Empires do not "disappear" in the "blink of an eye"; they slowly disintegrate within.