What was the Fall of the Roman Empire:
The fall of the Roman Empire occurred in the year 476 AD , with the deposition of Emperor Romulus Augustulus by Odoacer, leader of the Heruli people. The end of the Roman Empire was the result of economic and political crises and barbarian invasions of Roman territory.
The term fall of the Roman Empire refers to the end of the Western Roman Empire . The eastern part of this empire, which became known as the Byzantine Empire, continued to exist, being overthrown only in the late medieval era.
The crisis of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire existed between 27 BC and 476 AD . Over the centuries, this empire conquered a huge territory, which corresponded to a large part of the European territory and parts of Asia and Africa. The main events that led to the disintegration of the Roman Empire were:
- Crisis of the slave system.
- Political instability.
- Expansion of Christianity.
- Invasion of the Germanic peoples.
Crisis of the slave system
The vast Roman territory – which surrounded the Mediterranean Sea – was protected by the army and was interconnected by roads. Over the centuries, the Roman army expanded its domain and as it conquered new peoples, it captured people to work as slaves.
From the 2nd century onwards, the Roman Empire stopped expanding its territories and, as a result, there was a decrease in the number of slaves. The Roman production system was dependent on slave labor and, with the decrease in the supply of this labor force, an economic crisis began.
With fewer slaves working, fewer products were produced and they became more expensive. This situation reduced trade – an important economic activity of this civilization – and as a consequence the Roman State reduced its revenue.
With less money to invest in the army, the territory’s borders are weakened and become more vulnerable to foreign invasions.
Political instability
From the 3rd century onwards, the Roman Empire began to face serious political crises in order to maintain its power. During short periods of time there were numerous successions of emperors , assassinations and conspiracies .
The instability faced by the Romans in administering and exercising power in the vast territory conquered during the previous centuries made it easier for foreign peoples to invade the territory.
Learn more about empire .
Expansion of Christianity
Although Christians suffered persecution for centuries in the Roman Empire, Christianity grew and began to threaten the power of the emperors, who were considered divine authorities.
Christians did not accept this sacred character of emperors , which weakened the power of these leaders in society.
Furthermore, Christians were against slavery , which represented a threat to the Roman Empire, whose entire production structure was based on slave labor.
Invasion of the Germanic peoples (barbarian invasions)
The Germanic peoples lived in northern Europe and were called barbarians by the Romans because their language and culture were different. These peoples tried to invade Roman territories and in some cases were allowed to live within the empire in exchange for joining the army and defending the Roman borders.
But from the 5th century onwards the number of barbarians trying to invade Roman territory increased considerably.
It is not known for sure, but it is believed that these people came to the Roman Empire in search of better lands or to flee from the Huns. The Huns are believed to have come from Central Asia and were extremely violent people, with a high capacity for movement across the territory.
With the political and military weakening of the Roman Empire , invasions became increasingly frequent. In 410, the capital of the Roman Empire – Rome – was invaded by several peoples, including the Visigoths, Angles, Saxons, Huns and Franks. As these people entered Roman territory, they established their kingdoms.
The fall of Rome occurred with the deposition of Emperor Romulus Augustulus by Odoacer, leader of the Heruli people, in 476 AD. The fall of the Roman Empire represents the end of the historical period of antiquity and inaugurates the Middle Ages .
Abdication of the crown of Emperor Romulus Augustulus.
Fall of the Eastern Roman Empire
The fall of the Roman Empire is also called disintegration because it was the moment when the territory was divided in two. The Western Roman Empire fell and began the Middle Ages, but the Eastern Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire , would only come to an end in 1453.
Just like in Rome, over the centuries, various peoples tried to invade the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Weakened by constant attacks, the city was taken by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, putting an end to the Eastern Roman Empire.