La CAÍDA del IMPERIO ROMANO: Causas y consecuencias.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

This section provides an introduction to the Roman Empire and its significance in history. It also discusses the factors that led to its fall.

Introduction to the Roman Empire

• The Roman Empire ruled the world for centuries, leading progress in culture, economics, and social development.

• It served as a bridge between cultures from east and west.

Factors that Led to the Fall of the Roman Empire

• The true causes of the fall of the Roman Empire were more complex than barbarian invasions.

• From 235 until 285 AD, there was a crisis called third century clashes which led to bad administration, political and territorial instability.

• Continuous change of emperors caused a strong economic crisis; currency was devalued, prices increased, internal trade was harmed severely.

• Economic crisis made free population leave big cities for rural areas looking for food and work; many lost citizenship being under control of large landowners and feudal lords.

• Internal struggles caused border lines neglect; Goths, Vandals, Germans reached northern border while Sasánidas reached eastern border.

• Romans allowed them to settle in their territory as settlers if they acted as allies and vigilantes without embargo.

• Weakness of Rome's government and increased power of troops in charge of border posts caused military anarchy where emperors were appointed and deposed according to interests of troops that controlled borders.

Change within Society

This section discusses how society changed during this period.

Changes within Society

• Humble peasants and artisans suffered state tax increases on which one urgently needed to charge in kind food, tools, weapons etc.

• They lost citizenship being under control of large landowners who gave them protection from imperial agents' abuses but didn't pay taxes.

• In 285 AD, Diocletian divided the empire into two creating the Roman Empire of West with capital in Rome and that of East with capital in Constantinople.

• Christianity laid the groundwork for the end of the Roman Empire domination brutal of the barbarians constituted definitive blow.

• Christianity preached that life was sacred and that one should avoid all sinful attitude; this changed Roman Empire's attitude from being hostile and aggressive to become a devoted pacifist of peace and holiness of life morality.

• The ethics and Roman values had radically changed, people were willing to give their lives for their new religion and beliefs.

Brutal Domination by Barbarians

This section discusses how brutal domination by barbarians led to the fall of Rome.

Brutal Domination by Barbarians

• Siege of enemy powers and resistance of Roman army soon saw itself under ravages of great barbarian army composed of warriors like Visigoths west of Gaul and Vandals.

• Since 410 AD, capital Rome was besieged by hordes of Visigoths under alarm command subsequently guided vandals by Genserico in 455 AD even powerful Attila destroyed city in 451 AD.

• All these attacks took place during reigns third valentinian which evidenced disintegration of Roman authority in world.

• Authority western empire retained reminiscences its great might but barbarians constituted true power behind throne since Roman armies were mostly controlled by generals who were also barbarians.

The Fall of the Roman Empire

This section discusses the fall of the Roman Empire in the West and how it was brought about by Ricimero's absolute authority.

Ricimero's Absolute Authority

• Ricimero exercised absolute authority over the Roman Empire in the West for 17 years.

• He named and dismissed emperors to his own will, leading to the downfall of the Western Roman Empire.

• After Orestes located his son Romulus Augustus on the throne, barbarian mercenaries demanded a third of Italian lands from him. When he refused, he entrusted the matter to Odoacro, leader of the Germanic tribe of Herulos.

• Before Odoacro's siege, Romulus Augustus had no choice but to give up his emperor title. Odoacro then obtained the title of patrician and ruled throughout Italy as vicar of the emperor of East Rome.

The End of Rome City

• In 537 AD during a sacking by Goths, Rome city was destroyed along with its aqueducts that supplied water. This led to scarcity and up to 90% loss in population.

• The Western Roman Empire gradually became home to several Germanic tribes such as Vandals in Africa, Visigoths in Spain and south Gaul, Suevos in southeast Galia, Burgundios in Britannia, Saxons together with Herulos who were based in Italy.

Transition Towards Modern Civilization

• With new customs, ideas and institutions introduced by these tribes after they took over power from Romans; this marked a transition towards construction of pillars that form our modern civilization.

• The fall of the Western Roman Empire was a transition towards a new phase of imperialism.