The decline of the Roman Empire is not due to any one thing. It was caused by the decline of population, land loss, and deception. However, one of the factors that helped speed up the process was its expansion. The entire Roman Empire was estimated to have had between 50 and 90 million people at its peak during Emperor Augustus. It made it difficult to control the empire and led to disunity. Unsteadiness and disunity led to the decline of the Roman military which rendered them invulnerable to invasions.
Second, government and currency were destabilized due to overexpansion. In order to earn the necessary income, Emperors used coins made from less-valuable metal to pay for their vast empire. However, this inflation made armies and officers less able to pay for the required supplies. This left them vulnerable. Driving men, who competed to be emperor, caused instabilities in the government. Civil wars were fought using the military resources available to defend against outside attacks. Moral defilement could be another reason. The Romans invested their time and money into Gladiatorial battles. Nero and Caligula were notorious for lavish parties that saw guests drink and eat until they died. Retrieved from https://www.rome.info/history/empire/fall/.
The loss of strategic positions was another factor. The loss of several strategic positions was one example. In 439 AD Rome lost parts of northern Africa and left the Mediterranean Sea coast vulnerable. A few wealthy lands of the Western Empire were also lost to Eastern Empire during the 286 CE split.
The biggest reason Rome fell was its sheer size, making it impossible for Emperors to manage. It was too large to finance, protect and manage. Rome’s territory proved too large to defend as its outskirts stretched over 4000 5100 miles. The military could not control the invading forces because of the large area of the suburbs. While the rulers attempted to raise funds by increasing charges, the cash from conquest was not enough to replenish the empire’s treasury. Third, because the Roman Empire spans a large area from northern Europe to central Asia, it is impossible for one person to oversee it all. The governors in each region were given proclamations and laws, but the Emperor could not ensure their implementation. This caused disunity among the people and the legislator in Rome. The Roman Empire’s size prevented the rulers from defending the empire and funding it. This allowed for the flaws that allowed roaming tribes to attack.
Due to Rome’s enormous size, the Eastern & Western Empires disintegrated and individuals of various religions suffered. In 286CE, Emperor Diocletian splintered the empire further between the Eastern realms and the Western realms. Wasson, D. “”Diocletian.”” (2014). Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/Diocletian/. The Western half was left powerless and defenseless, making them unable to protect themselves. It also created instability in western half as it lost the military and financial support of the eastern Roman Empire. The trade between the two halves was also stopped. The Western Empire was left powerless and open to attack by outsiders after the domain split. The two halves of this realm were at war. The difference in the impact of the east and west realms was significant. It meant that they each created their own interests, behaviors, and religions.
The conflict between two rulers became most obvious among Theodosius 1’s, Arcadius and Honorius’s kids, who ruled the Eastern and Western realms. The Western Empire was suffering from assaults, and the Eastern Empire didn’t do much to help them. The Eastern Empire helped the Western Empire even though the siblings lost control. Due to its immense size, the Roman Empire split, leaving the western half of it powerless and unable to defend itself.
