The collapse of the Western Roman Empire
Ned Tidmarsh
At the peak of its power, the Western Roman Empire 1 dominated vast amounts of Europe, Africa and Asia, ranging from Portugal to Turkey and from North Africa to Britain. Its power was at its zenith in the 2 nd century as it coexisted with the Eastern Empire following the reign of Theodosius 2 . However, by AD 480, when cooperation with the Eastern Empire ceased and the last emperor Romulus Augustulus was replaced by Odoacer 3 , the Western Empire lacked control of many provinces. The Germanic ÂbarbariansÊ had overrun Rome and left a conglomerate of German ruled states. How had the most successful, militarily dominant and advanced empire of its time been felled by Germanic peoples? Answering this question helps one to understand the flaws that have troubled many empires throughout history. The causes of collapse can be summarized as: the Germanic invasion, political instability, social causes and economic weakness. Social causes comprising, for example, the effect of slavery on Roman moral fibre and the decay of society are cited as vital to the collapse by historians such as Edward Gibbon 4 and political instability, including succession, certainly deflected focus from the Barbarians. Both afflicted the Eastern Empire though and that did not collapse but evolved into the Byzantium Empire and continued into the 15 th century. The vital difference lies with economic problems exacerbated by unwise 1 For the purpose of this essay, we are to conflate the collapse of the Roman Empire and what some call the takeover of the Empire by the Barbarians. 2 When he died, his two heirs split the Empire into two halves which would be ruled separately but both would work together. 3 Odoacer was a German soldier who became king of Rome in 476. 4 Gibbon Edward [1776], The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
administrative reforms and geographical differences: the western empire was open to attack from the Barbarians and when attacked it was unable to defend itself 5 . Therefore it appears that the combination of economic weakness and Barbarian invasion were central to the EmpireÊs 6 collapse. Although it was the Barbarians who sparked the Roman collapse, the failing economy of Rome was pivotal in allowing this to happen. Since the reign of Augustus the Roman military relied on professional soldiers rather than on a militia or armed peasantry. This meant vast expenditure on pay as well as on supply and transport. With a large empire the forces needed to secure the borders increased. The army grew from 250,000 to 600,000 between the reigns of Augustus and Diocletian (c. 300 years); by AD211 80% of the budget was spent on the military 7 . During times of economic prosperity such as during the expansion into North Africa, the necessary sums could be raised. Finances were assisted by plunder and loot from the army expeditions and, with security at home; people were able to pay the necessary taxes with relative ease aided by the expanding markets created by empire building. This prosperity did not last though. The Empire had expanded as far it could, the Atlantic, Eastern Empire and the Sahara stopped further expansion and there were no new markets for trade. Without new markets, profit was harder to achieve through trade and citizens set up barter societies. The Roman government even tried to restrict people moving to the country 5 The East though was protected by its geographical location from the Barbarians and only served to lose Greece and Thrace meaning it still had a secure tax base, which the West lacked. 6 From here on ÂEmpireÊ means the Western Empire. 7 Duncan-Jones Richard [1994], Money and Government in the Roman Empire .
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