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Fall Of Roman Empire Essay

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What factors cause empires to fall?

The Roman empire was one of the largest empires in ancient history, but challenges and obstacles in the late fifth century CE led to the destruction of the Western Empire.
There are many factors that can influence the fall of an Empire. These reasons can include political and social factors.

When analyzing the fall of the western Roman Empire, the social factor of the rise of Christianity had a significant impact on how the citizens viewed the Empire and its beliefs.
As noted in the Newsela article: Eight reasons why Rome fell by History.com; “Christianity displaced the Roman religion, which viewed the emperor as divine. It also shifted focus away from the glory of the state.” Christianity's shift …show more content…

The empire now lacked the loyalty of citizens that was present during the early Roman Empire. This resulted in a weakening of the empire's ability to field loyal, devoted armies for defense against Barbarian invaders.
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The political factor of invasion by Germanic tribes is often looked to as the driving cause of the fall of the Roman empire.
According to the Newsela article: Eight reasons why Rome fell by history.com; “In 455 the city of Rome was raided again, this time by the Vandals, finally around 476, the Germanic leader Odoacer staged a revolt and removed the emperor Romulus Agustulus.”

This excerpt supports the fall of the eastern Empire by giving a quintessential example of how invasions have the ability to weaken a once strong empire though raids and revolts until it is susceptible to the invaders, who have a newfound ability to take over the throne due to the Empires increasing vulnerability caused by decades of debilitating …show more content…

As stated in document D, an excerpt from Roman history by the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus, “The Huns exceed any definition of savagery. [...] Fired with an overwhelming desire for seizing the property of others, [they] make their destructive way amid the pillage and slaughter of those who live around them.” This quote reveals the inattentive and runious behavior that was exemplified by the Huns as they forced their way through the Germanic tribes, giving a reason for the invasion of the Roman empire by Germanic tribes who sought refuge from the hostile Huns.
As presented in document C (A map of foreign invasions of the Roman Empire), following the migration of Germanic tribes due to the Huns, the Roman Empire was overrun by Germanic invaders attempting to flee from the threat of the Huns that encapsulated the surrounding

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