Fall of Rome – Decline of the Roman Empire
Located on the banks of the Tiber River, Rome was a small city that over the years became one of the most powerful civilizations in the world. During the time of King Alexander of Macedon, Rome was an important center of philosophy, art, ethnicity, and science. Much of the agricultural and industrial advancement of that time owed its origin to this great empire.
After the death of the Great Alexander, Rome suffered at the hands of his Commandos, who divided the country for selfish personal interests until 30 BC. In 750 B.C. C., Rome was under the control of an Etruscan king. However, in the year 500 a. C., the Etruscans were defeated by the Latins, who took the reins of the country into their own hands. Little by little, Rome gained military strength due to its constant struggles with neighboring powers such as Greece, Carthage, and Finland. The Romans aimed to increase their political boundary to provide a better livelihood for the existing population.
Historical evidence attributes the fall of the Roman Kingdom to a suicide incident. Tarkius, the son of a Roman emperor, abused a woman of high social standing. Her husband, Lucius T. Collatinus 2, along with her followers started an agitation that culminated in the expulsion of the Tarkians from Rome. However, the Etruscan rule was also not appreciated by the people and this resulted in the fall of the Roman Kingdom in AD 510, after which Rome entered the era of republican rule which lasted for about 500 years.
The Roman Republic comprised two fundamental sects of society. One was represented by the Senate that symbolized the upper class patricians and the other was the Curiata Commissioner that included the ordinary plebeians. As a consequence of the monarchy, the patricians lived in luxury, while the plebeians were constantly oppressed. Gradually, resentment against their exploitation led commoners to unify and launch civil disobedience. Fear of the plebeians establishing their suzerainty led the patricians to surrender to their demands. As a result, more rights were granted to commoners and social and economic equality prevailed in Rome.
The expansion of Rome’s political borders led to the three Punic Wars with Carthage. Rome’s various military campaigns resulted in the subjugation of the kingdoms of Egypt, Syria, Macedonia, and Transalpine Gall. However, this same greed for expansion led to the fall of the Roman Empire. The lack of administration and supervision of these massive provinces led to the rise of corrupt governors.
Lawlessness prevailed in Rome after civil anger during 73 B.C. C. started by Slave Spartacus. Supreme power passed into the hands of the military chiefs. The government of Rome soon passed into the hands of the legendary Julius Caesar and his associates Pompeii and Crassus. However, a conspiracy by his own friend, Brutus, led to his demise. The next ruler in line was Antony, a relative of Caesar. His authority did not last long and eventually Octavian, known as Caesar Augustus, became the first emperor of Rome.
Thus, history reveals that the main reason for the fall of the Roman Empire was the differences between the communal and patriarchal forces that gave rise to various internal and external wars, causing the decline of the great empire.