The fall of the Roman Empire in Western Europe can undeniably be accredited to the radical shifts in the Empire’s military as well as the belligerent and selfish policies of the Imperial court. From tragic reforms to faltering loyalties, the legions of the 4th and 5th centuries were dichotomies of the ironclad soldiers that conquered Europe; nor were the Emperor and Senate the ideal governing system that had maintained an Empire for centuries. The combination of external and internal pressures that completely changed the face of Rome’s legions also attributed to her eventual collapse in the West. The armies that once claimed the world from Spain to Syria and Britain to Egypt were transformed into sub-par soldiers. This occurred at a time of …show more content…
The ironclad legionnaires that marched across the world from the 1st-3rd centuries AD, known as the Principate, were no longer the metal fist of Rome. Years of reform and civil war forced the main army to be divided into two separate wings: the border guard limitanei and the comitatenses. The cavalry was also reformed to work independently from the infantry and a separate commander was to be designated as the commander of horse . These divisions forced, though increasing the effectiveness of cavalry, the reform reduced the number of troops in an individual legion. The old Roman legion consisted of 6000 men, which remained the number of limitanei in a border guard detachment ; individual cohorts, roughly 1000 men , were often stationed in different quarters, “sometimes in different provinces” . This effectively created a more porous frontier through which marauding, migratory hordes of migrants could penetrate into the heart of the Empire; the once staunch defenders of the empire’s borders were reduced to peasant militias . The more effective comitatenses are more aptly compared to the armies of the late Republic rather than the …show more content…
The division of Rome between the brothers Honorius and Arcadius at the death of their father Theodosius the Great was met with controversy; the two sons were but ten and seventeen years old respectively. This resulted in the appointment of the general Stilicho, a half-Vandal, as the protector of Honorius . The elder brother was also deeply influenced by his Praetorian Prefect Rufinus, a man who sought to rise to Imperial power as colleague of the young emperor. Though he failed to marry his daughter to Arcadius, Rufinus remained a powerful influence on military matters in the East. The rival ambitions of Rufinus and Stilicho brought turmoil to the Empire through their manipulation of the armies and use of barbarian insurrections in an attempt to undermine the other. The Visigothic uprising of Alaric was used as an opportunity for Stilicho to seize Illyrian territory from the East in an effort to provide more resources and the “best nursery in Europe for good fighting men” . Marching east with an army consisting of Western and Eastern Roman troops, Stilicho sought to destroy the Visigoths and cement control of the Balkan peninsula. Unwilling to allow his rival
One of the biggest reasons Rome fell is because the military. The military started to become sluggish and weak. Since this happened soldiers fought the goths without any protection for their chests and heads (doc B.) This made it so soldiers were easily killed in battle by archers. Adding on to that Soldiers were exposed to wounds because they have no armour so they would think about running and not fighting (doc B.) Senators, bureaucrats, clergymen, cooks, bakers, and slaves all avoided the draft not giving enough people into to military (doc B.)
The Roman empire was based on slavery: slavery on a massive scale. Therefore The success and spoils of Roman wars meant that slaves were everywhere putting regular Roman citizens out of work. This solution was not ideal but no rich Romans (patricians) seemed willing to compromise and give up their slaves. Attempts were made to base taxes on the numbers of slaves owned but the rich simply freed their slaves to avoid taxation and then added on still to the numbers of unemployed.
The Roman Empire lasted for 1200 years, conquering the Mediterranean with an iron fist. They were nearly unstoppable: a successor to Ancient Greek culture, a prosperous and innovative economy and government, geography which provided great protection, and a military that deserved its brutal reputation. Yet, they still fell. After the Pax Romana, a 200 year long peacetime, Rome lost the people’s support to fear. A series of natural disasters, mass-migration and disease, and political corruption weakened Rome, forging Rome into easy prey for the Goths to sack, and finally, ending its reign.
This shows that one of the main reasons that led to the fall of the Roman empire was because of their financial strains. Because of this, they weren’t able to recruit people to fight for them in wars, which overtime caused them to lose wars.
In this essay the reason for Rome’s fall will be identified and why they caused Rome’s downfall. The primary reasons for the fall of Rome are military problems, untrustworthy government/injustice, and natural disasters/diseases. One of the reasons Rome fell is due to the fact Rome had multiple Military problems. According to Document B “because of negligence and laziness, parade ground drills were abandoned, the customary armor began to seem heavy since the soldiers rarely ever wore it” (Doc B). Also according to Document B, “soldiers fought the Goths without any protection for chest and head and were often beaten by archers” (Doc B).
The Roman Empire "fell" predominantly because of government issues, natural disasters and disease and most importantly, defence problems. The Roman Empire had many issues with government. In only fifty years, Rome’s Empire had
So because of the Roman soldier being replaced by German mercenaries and the stoppage of expansion the Roman military lost its power. When the invasions of the western tribes came and destroyed Rome, there was nothing they could
In this essay I will argue that the Principate is a history of military dictatorships insofar as certain emperors seize power via military means or emphasise a connexion to the army. I have chosen to define military dictatorship as a form of governance which relies on the usurpation of power by means of war, assassination and the consolidation of that power by the founding of dynasties which are, in essence, based around the current princeps’ choice of electing their own successors. Furthermore, I shall analyse emperors via the themes, bread and circuses, the army and Praetorian Guard, and accession: defeat and adoption. The first theme I shall look at is the army and Praetorian Guard.
Causes of Rome’s Decline The Roman Empire was the greatest civilization the world had ever seen, it lasted over than a semi-millennium. For a such great, undefeatable Empire to collapse, there should be many powerful causes. There is an endless debate among historians about the different causes that led to this decline moreover, they couldn’t agree on the most influential factors. In this essay, these different causes will be explored and try to find the direct causes of this decline.
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. You may be aware of the events that have risen in the past few months, and how Cicero claims that he himself has saved Rome. However, Catiline’s account of this event is severely different. Because of this difference, it is my obligation to ensure that this report of the events be as unbiased as possible.
But the Romans did not have any planning and that is why the empire grew weaker and weaker. The soldiers did not know how to fight anymore and were badly injured because of the decision to not wear armor. The Roman military was no match to some other armies but most importantly the Huns, a group that exceeded the rate of which they conquered everything in their path. They are very tough and will not back down without a challenge. Document D describes the Huns, ”Fired with an overwhelming desire for seizing the properties of others, the Swift moving and ungovernable people make their destructive way amid the pillage and slaughter of those who live around them” The fall of Rome is Attributed to invasions and Military break down because of this very purpose, there was finally a group that could overtake and overpower the army.
The Romans achieved fame with their incredible army. It defeated everybody who came in its path. The Roman Legion was the most powerful army ever. They didn 't have the exquisite weapons like we have today.
The Roman Empire left a mark on history as one of the largest and most successful empires in history. How much territory did the Roman Empire rule over? At the Roman Empire’s pique, the Empire engulfed the entire Mediterranean and spread all across Western Europe and half of Great Britain. The Roman Empire was not taken likely by rival empires.
They were relentless when it came to conquering new lands, and fought diligently and patriotically with the Roman army to eliminate the kings, and were committed to Rome (Morey,
The Roman Army The Roman Army was a very efficient Army. Due to the might of their army, the Romans were able to expand their territory. At the peak of their power, the Roman Army conquered England/Wales, Spain, France, most of Germany, the Northern Coast of Africa, the Middle East and Greece. Historians view the Roman army as an extremely effective fighting machine.