HISTORY 114
THE COLLAPSE OF ROME
MISS ANRI DELPORT
Class Notes from this section
There were several reasons for the collapse of Rome.
The Roman Empire of the 4th century AD extended entirely around the basin of the
Mediterranean Sea, including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and North Africa. Modern France (Gaul)
and modern Spain and Portugal (Iberia) were also entirely Roman. Modern England was
Roman but modern Scotland was barbarian. Barbarians were seen as non-Roman and non-
civilised. The northern borders of the territory were the Rhine and Danube rivers. The lands
north of this area was occupied by a variety of Scandinavian tribes that the Romans referred
to as Germans.
Romans had existed as an important power for over 1000 years. They brought stability,
prosperity and order to the civilised West. Excellent roads connected the ends of the empire.
They were originally built for military purposes but also improved communication and trade.
Roman law kept internal peace and 20-30 legions defended Roman frontiers.
Not everything was perfect in Rome. Emperors held absolute authority which worked well
when there were good emperors but incompetent emperors did great harm to the empire.
The rules for succession were never clear which resulted in debilitating civil wars. The
bureaucracy that managed the empire on a more day to day basis grew increasingly
corrupt and the dissatisfaction of citizens also increased. The wealth of the empire was
concentrated in the hands of a minority class whilst a large population of slaves did most of
the work. The borders of the empire were immense and put strain on military resources- there
were also not enough soldiers patrolling the borders. Roman conquests had ceased by the
2nd century and this ended the inflow of plunder and slaves resulting in tax increases and a
reduction in production and work force. A plague killed 20% of the entire population in the
3rd and 4th centuries which further reduced trade and production.
In 395AD, the former Roman world was divided into two empires- East and West. During the
next century, the east and west gradually established separate identities despite actually
being the same empire. The Western empire was predominantly Latin whilst the Eastern
empire was predominantly Greek. The East survived the chaos of the 3 rd and 4th centuries
due to having a larger population, better emperors, more money and a far superior army
and navy. It survived until the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453AD. In the West,
the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks and Huns burst over the frontiers and the Jutes,
Angles and Saxons established themselves in Britain. In 410AD, Alaric and his Goths sacked
Rome. In 476AD, the last of the Caesars, Romulus and Augustulus were dethroned. The
Germanic kingdoms then replaced the Imperium Romanum.
, THEORIES ABOUT COLLAPSE
ENVIRONMENT
Climatic change resulted in resource insufficiencies and barbarian migrations increased.
There was a decline in pollens which led to an agricultural collapse. There was deforestation,
soil erosion and overgrazing which resulted in the decline or agriculture and food shortages.
There was a change in rainfall patterns and climate. With the climate being more unstable, it
began to alternate between hot droughts and cold, rainy seasons. This decreased crop
yields. Widespread irrigation projects were implemented to counteract the droughts on lands
that had formally been self-sufficient. Large quantities of water needed to be contained in
massive reservoirs and this water became stagnant and a breeding ground for malaria-
carrying mosquitos which manifested into epidemic proportions, killing a large population of
the people.
CATASTROPHE
Hurricanes, eruptions, earthquakes and disease. There was a malaria outbreak in Rome after
200BC as well as sap and plagues.
OTHER COMPLEX SOCIETIES
There was competition and attacks. Germanic tribes and the Huns. The Huns were in Western
China (200-1BC). By 350AD, the Huns were crossing the Steppes towards Europe and pushing
the Scythians before them. The Visigoths, Ostrogoths (etc.) were then pushed by the
Scythians and tried to get into the Roman Empire for safety. By 378AD, the Visigoths were
desperate enough to fight and won the battle of Adrianople where the Eastern Emperor
Valens was killed and then moved into the empire, moving westwards towards Rome.
SOCIAL DYSFUNCTION/ MYSTICAL FACTORS
These were internal processes. A sense of futility seemed to permeate society. There were
many outstanding administrators and good governors but the Roman spirit which had
conquered the world dissolved into indolence regardless. They preferred ease and comfort
to facing the dangers threatening their civilisation. A change in racial stock was responsible
for this new attitude. Plague and malaria were also probable causes. This could also be
deduced to the disease of materialism and the affluent society.
ELITE MISMANAGEMENT
This was due to poor leadership, slavery, a waste of capital and increasing state
authoritarianism. There was a series of weak rulers and an inability to deal with problems.
Plagues, invasions and civil wars also added to this, as well as extravagance.
In 285 AD, the emperor Diocletian drove back the barbarians and reconstituted the empire.
This was now a new type of Roman empire which was ruled by Oriental despotism. He also
appointed 3 other Caesars and divided the empire into prefectures. His own capital was not
at Rome, but rather Nicomedia in Asia Manor. The army was reformed and enlarged and
was composed mainly of Germans and the sons of veterans.
In 324AD, Constantine the Great became emperor. An edict for Christian tolerance was sent
out. The despotism was tightened, rather than eased. It is interesting to note the hypocritical
THE COLLAPSE OF ROME
MISS ANRI DELPORT
Class Notes from this section
There were several reasons for the collapse of Rome.
The Roman Empire of the 4th century AD extended entirely around the basin of the
Mediterranean Sea, including Turkey, Israel, Egypt and North Africa. Modern France (Gaul)
and modern Spain and Portugal (Iberia) were also entirely Roman. Modern England was
Roman but modern Scotland was barbarian. Barbarians were seen as non-Roman and non-
civilised. The northern borders of the territory were the Rhine and Danube rivers. The lands
north of this area was occupied by a variety of Scandinavian tribes that the Romans referred
to as Germans.
Romans had existed as an important power for over 1000 years. They brought stability,
prosperity and order to the civilised West. Excellent roads connected the ends of the empire.
They were originally built for military purposes but also improved communication and trade.
Roman law kept internal peace and 20-30 legions defended Roman frontiers.
Not everything was perfect in Rome. Emperors held absolute authority which worked well
when there were good emperors but incompetent emperors did great harm to the empire.
The rules for succession were never clear which resulted in debilitating civil wars. The
bureaucracy that managed the empire on a more day to day basis grew increasingly
corrupt and the dissatisfaction of citizens also increased. The wealth of the empire was
concentrated in the hands of a minority class whilst a large population of slaves did most of
the work. The borders of the empire were immense and put strain on military resources- there
were also not enough soldiers patrolling the borders. Roman conquests had ceased by the
2nd century and this ended the inflow of plunder and slaves resulting in tax increases and a
reduction in production and work force. A plague killed 20% of the entire population in the
3rd and 4th centuries which further reduced trade and production.
In 395AD, the former Roman world was divided into two empires- East and West. During the
next century, the east and west gradually established separate identities despite actually
being the same empire. The Western empire was predominantly Latin whilst the Eastern
empire was predominantly Greek. The East survived the chaos of the 3 rd and 4th centuries
due to having a larger population, better emperors, more money and a far superior army
and navy. It survived until the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453AD. In the West,
the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Vandals, Franks and Huns burst over the frontiers and the Jutes,
Angles and Saxons established themselves in Britain. In 410AD, Alaric and his Goths sacked
Rome. In 476AD, the last of the Caesars, Romulus and Augustulus were dethroned. The
Germanic kingdoms then replaced the Imperium Romanum.
, THEORIES ABOUT COLLAPSE
ENVIRONMENT
Climatic change resulted in resource insufficiencies and barbarian migrations increased.
There was a decline in pollens which led to an agricultural collapse. There was deforestation,
soil erosion and overgrazing which resulted in the decline or agriculture and food shortages.
There was a change in rainfall patterns and climate. With the climate being more unstable, it
began to alternate between hot droughts and cold, rainy seasons. This decreased crop
yields. Widespread irrigation projects were implemented to counteract the droughts on lands
that had formally been self-sufficient. Large quantities of water needed to be contained in
massive reservoirs and this water became stagnant and a breeding ground for malaria-
carrying mosquitos which manifested into epidemic proportions, killing a large population of
the people.
CATASTROPHE
Hurricanes, eruptions, earthquakes and disease. There was a malaria outbreak in Rome after
200BC as well as sap and plagues.
OTHER COMPLEX SOCIETIES
There was competition and attacks. Germanic tribes and the Huns. The Huns were in Western
China (200-1BC). By 350AD, the Huns were crossing the Steppes towards Europe and pushing
the Scythians before them. The Visigoths, Ostrogoths (etc.) were then pushed by the
Scythians and tried to get into the Roman Empire for safety. By 378AD, the Visigoths were
desperate enough to fight and won the battle of Adrianople where the Eastern Emperor
Valens was killed and then moved into the empire, moving westwards towards Rome.
SOCIAL DYSFUNCTION/ MYSTICAL FACTORS
These were internal processes. A sense of futility seemed to permeate society. There were
many outstanding administrators and good governors but the Roman spirit which had
conquered the world dissolved into indolence regardless. They preferred ease and comfort
to facing the dangers threatening their civilisation. A change in racial stock was responsible
for this new attitude. Plague and malaria were also probable causes. This could also be
deduced to the disease of materialism and the affluent society.
ELITE MISMANAGEMENT
This was due to poor leadership, slavery, a waste of capital and increasing state
authoritarianism. There was a series of weak rulers and an inability to deal with problems.
Plagues, invasions and civil wars also added to this, as well as extravagance.
In 285 AD, the emperor Diocletian drove back the barbarians and reconstituted the empire.
This was now a new type of Roman empire which was ruled by Oriental despotism. He also
appointed 3 other Caesars and divided the empire into prefectures. His own capital was not
at Rome, but rather Nicomedia in Asia Manor. The army was reformed and enlarged and
was composed mainly of Germans and the sons of veterans.
In 324AD, Constantine the Great became emperor. An edict for Christian tolerance was sent
out. The despotism was tightened, rather than eased. It is interesting to note the hypocritical
