Fall of the Roman Empire?

Question

What is the true reason behind the fall of the Roman Empire?

Answer 1

There is not one answer that you could point to that everyone is going to agree with. If it's for an essay, just pick one and go with it, although pointing to the fact that it is not certain. Some reasons I have heard:

- Corruption in Rome
- Too broad of territory (military too spread out)
- Switch of religions/Christianity gaining acceptance and changing traditional Roman sentiment
- Minor climate changes -which give many "barbarian" (originally those who don't speak Greek) tribes the opportunity to move unhindered by rivers such as the Rhine which was able to freeze over.
- Complacency
- People stopped caring about having an empire - didn't feel connected any longer.

There are more, but that's a start. Truth be told, I'm sure its a combo of many of these.

Answer 2

corruption and moral decay mostly. The discipline and drive the built the empire in the first place faded as the ruling elite became lazy and decadent. Combine that with a growing list of enemies and eventually someone is going to take you down.

Answer 3

Well...What do you mean by the REAL reason?
All I know is that the Roman Politics became corrupt and Since they became corrupt,The soldiers became disloyal to their own military leaders.People started becoming less loyal to Rome too.The soldiers followed others instead of Rome's military.But...That's What every teacher would tell you...so I really Don't know what you're asking...

Answer 4

Rome had many enemies. It was bound to happen.
It relied on military strength... that doesn't last forever.
And the reasons people above me stated :]