The fall of the Roman Empire was a gradual process spanning centuries, with multiple interconnected causes rather than a single defining event. Here are the major factors:

## Political Instability
- **Crisis of leadership**: Frequent assassination of emperors and civil wars weakened central authority
- **Division of the empire**: Split into Western and Eastern halves in 285 CE made governance more difficult
- **Corruption**: Widespread bribery and abuse of power eroded effective administration

## Economic Decline
- **Debasement of currency**: Inflation caused by reducing silver content in coins
- **Heavy taxation**: Needed to fund the military and bureaucracy, but crushed productivity
- **Decline in trade**: Constant warfare disrupted commerce networks
- **Loss of agricultural production**: Wars and instability reduced farming output

## Military Problems
- **"Barbarization" of the army**: Increasing reliance on foreign mercenaries who had little loyalty to Rome
- **Defensive overstretch**: Too many borders to defend effectively
- **Loss of military discipline**: The once-invincible legions became less effective

## Barbarian Invasions
- **Migration pressure**: Germanic tribes pushed westward by the Huns
- **Gradual infiltration**: Many tribes settled within Roman borders as foederati (allies)
- **Major invasions**: Visigoths sacked Rome (410 CE), Vandals (455 CE), and finally Odoacer deposed the last emperor (476 CE)

## Social and Cultural Changes
- **Rise of Christianity**: Shifted focus from civic duty to spiritual salvation
- **Loss of civic virtue**: Decline in traditional Roman values and patriotism
- **Population decline**: Plagues, warfare, and economic hardship reduced manpower

The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire survived another thousand years, suggesting that geography, economics, and specific local pressures played crucial roles in the West's collapse.
