The Fall of the Roman Empire
The Roman republic lasted for nearly 500 years, and its collapse is regarded as one of the pivotal moments in Western history. The majority of historians attribute the fall of the Roman Empire to a variety of causes, including natural catastrophe, oppressive taxes, and military failures. Therefore, it is essential to examine the key causes of the Roman Republic's collapse as well as the significance of this fall for the modern world.
Invasion by Barbarian Tribes
One of the main factors leading to the collapse of the Roman Empire was the invasion by the barbarian tribes. Ridley asserts that Barbarian tribes learned Roman combat strategies from their service in the Roman Empire. Eventually, they used that knowledge to stage a revolution. Moreover, the fast expansion of the empire made it necessary to defend its borders and territories. However, the Barbarians hated the Romans because of high taxation. As a result, they became rebellious.
Military Spending and Political Instability
Additionally, heavy military spending due to constant war over-stretched the Roman army. Consequently, Rome's technological advancements and technological advancement fell into disrepair since more funds were being channeled into the military upkeep. Political instability and government corruption also led to the collapse of the Roman republic. Elite soldiers of the Roman Empire decided who should become the new emperor. This resulted in civil wars which pushed the empire into chaos. As a result, many citizens lost trust in their leadership.
Conclusion
In summary, historians have outlined several factors which led to the collapse of the Roman Republic. Still, the invasion by barbarian tribes, heavy military spending, the decline in moral values, and political corruption are the major factors that contributed to the collapse of the Roman Empire. Finally, from the fall of the Roman Empire, we can learn that countries such as the United States of America must learn to work as global partners instead of seeking to control other countries.
Bibliography
Ridley, R. T. "The fall of the Roman Republic." Agora 51, no. 1 (2016): 63-66.
