# Causes of the Fall of the Roman Empire

The fall of Rome (traditionally dated to 476 CE) resulted from multiple interconnected factors over several centuries:

## Political Instability
- **Leadership crisis**: Frequent assassinations, short reigns, and civil wars weakened central authority
- **Military emperors**: Army-backed rulers prioritized military interests over governance
- **Divided empire**: Split into Eastern and Western halves (395 CE), weakening unified defense

## Economic Decline
- **Inflation**: Debasement of currency destroyed economic stability
- **Tax burden**: Heavy taxation drove people into poverty and reduced productivity
- **Trade disruption**: Loss of territories cut off vital trade routes
- **Agricultural decline**: Warfare and instability reduced food production

## Military Challenges
- **Barbarian invasions**: Germanic tribes (Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths) applied constant pressure
- **Overextended borders**: Empire became too large to defend effectively
- **Weakened legions**: Recruitment of foreign mercenaries reduced military loyalty and effectiveness

## Social Factors
- **Population decline**: Plague, warfare, and reduced birth rates
- **Loss of civic virtue**: Declining public participation and traditional Roman values
- **Christianity's rise**: Shifted focus from earthly empire to spiritual concerns (debated by historians)

## Administrative Problems
- **Corruption**: Widespread bribery and inefficiency
- **Bureaucratic bloat**: Oversized government became unwieldy and expensive

The Western Empire fell to these combined pressures, while the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire survived another thousand years.
