There are a lot of theories and factors about the Roman Empire dissolution. 

As you know, there are many controversies about the time of the Roman Empire dissolution or collapse. 

Many said the collapse started in 31 or 27 BC, til 1806 and 1917 AD. It has a long list with different criteria and views. 

Roman Empire Dissolution

In this video, let us find out and learn about the factors that contributed to the Roman Empire Dissolution. Here you will finally understand the reasons behind this legendary Empire’s downfall. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

1. Barbarian Tribe Invasion 

Perhaps this is the most accurate theory for Western Rome’s dissolution. It pins the fall due to military losses sustained against the outside forces. 

In fact, for centuries, Rome had tangled with the Germanic tribes. However, the 300s groups of “barbarians”, like the Goths, must progress beyond the Empire’s borders. 

The Romans weathered the Germanic uprising in the late 4th century. However, in 410, King Alaric sacked Rome successfully. With that, the Roman Empire spent the next decades under threat before the “Eternal City” raid in 455.

Eventually, in 476, Odoacer, a Germanic Leader, staged the rebellion and overthrew the Emperor. Because of that, no Roma emperor would rule from the post in Italy. It led to many citations, and 476 was the year the Roman Empire suffered a huge blow. 

2. Rising of the Eastern Empire and Roman Empire Dissolution

Did you know that the fate of Western Rome was partly sealed in the later part of the 3rd century? It was when the Emperor divided the Empire – the Eastern Empire and the Western Empire. 

The Eastern Empire seated Byzantium and the Western Empire in Milan. This division has made the Empire to be easily manageable. Yet these divisions later drifted apart. The West and East failed to work together and beat outside threats. 

Unfortunately, the two empires always argued over military aid and resources. As the issues widened, the Eastern Empire became very wealthy, while the Western fell into an economic crisis. 

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3. Economic Crises 

Also, the factors about the Roman Empire Dissolution were money issues and economic crises. Overspending and too many wars had lightened the financial crisis. 

The Empire also experienced a labor deficit. Available workers and cultivable lands became scarce. That’s why taxes must be reduced. This resulted on having economic problems as Rome relied on slaves to get the job done. Other explanations included the depletion of soil because of over-cultivation. 

Heavy taxation, as well as inflation, increased the gap between the wealthy and the poor.   With the hope of preventing the taxman, many of the members of the wealthy classes fled the countryside. 

Furthermore, from the 3rd to 6th century, various political and economic crises put too much burden on the Empire. There were too much inflation, invasions of barbarians, civil wars, the devastation of farms, and more. 

Because of that, it puts too much challenge on people who can’t produce crops because of the problems. 

4. Role of Christianity 

Another factor that contributed to the Roman Empire’s dissolution was Christianity. It was when Christianity was the state of religion, churches in Rome reduced the state’s resources by getting larger pieces of land and just keep the income for their own. With that, society should support many members of the Church order, like nuns, monks, and hermits.  

Also, the psychological impact of Christianity contributed to the Roman Empire’s dissolution. It emphasized personal salvation and the next life, as well as weakening the traditional Roman values. 

5. Biological Interpretations 

Another understanding about the Roman Empire Dissolution is based on its biological model. According to it, nations are like the human beings. They are born and grow into maturity. 

They are believed to reduce strength and just pass away. Nothing stays the same, and everything should go through the national approach. 

And what’s interesting is that the decline and decay were inevitable products of prosperity and growth.

6. Environmental Issues 

Environmental factors also contributed to the dissolution of the Roman Empire. The theory concept is about the rising and falling of Rome to environmental factors.

When the Roman Empire was still on the rise, it agreed with the environmental affluence of the Mediterranean basin from the third century until the mid-parts of the 2nd century AD. 

This period is known to be very suitable for environmental conditions, called the “Roman Climate Optimum”, that led to growth of population and the economic prosperity. 

The theory’s proponents also state that conditions of the environment began to deteriorate in 150 AD. It was when the climate turn out to be so dry and cold, which could affect agriculture, while epidemics hit the Empire and further reduced the economy’s size and population. 

The last wave increases the global volcanic activity from the fifth to eighth century AD. This was when the Roman called “Little Ice Age” was created and contributed to the Roman Empire’s dissolution. 

7. Political Instability and Government Corruption  

The absolute size of Rome made it very difficult to govern inconsistent and ineffective leadership to emphasize the problem.

Well, you know that being a leader is a dangerous job. Yet during the 3rd and 2nd centuries, the situation almost became a death sentence. 

The civil war led the Empire into tragedy, and about 20 men took over the throne just 75 years after the murder of the predecessor. 

The Emperor’s bodyguards were assassinated and came up with new sovereigns. It was even auctioned once, and the political rot extended the Roman Senate, which failed to temper the Emperor’s excesses. And as the situation worsened, many citizens of Rome lost their trust in their leadership.

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Wrapping Up 

So to wrap it off, there are many reasons why the Roman Empire ended. Imagine it lasted two and a half centuries. The fall was indeed slow and very painful.

Now that you know the reasons for the Roman Empire’s dissolution hope this will serve as a lesson to everybody that no matter how powerful an empire could be if there’s no unity, it will cause the crashing of an empire.