Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

¶ … Roman Empire could be related to its downfall. The Roman Empire, as stated by the greatest historian Edward Gibbon, "...comprehended the fairest part of the earth and the most civilized portion of mankind..." (Goode, 1998); its disintegration was caused largely by the underlying parasites, than what surfaced in historical records. Modern scholars have taken up the task of questioning some previously avoided reasons that set forth a quiet process of decline before it actually took place.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In the 5th Century, Italy was thrown in discord by the invasions of Goths (410) and later by Vandals leaving the empire devastated. The Mediterranean was robbed of her 5 centuries of peace as raiders and traders now took over her. Troubles continued through the next century, in shape of prolonged and lamentable wars between Goths and the forces of surviving East Romans or the Byzantines with their capital, Constantinople. With only a transitional victory of the Byzantinians, Italy was once again invaded by Germanic people, the Lombards. However, these people failed to capture the whole region and thus Italy was striped into divisions and extended contests henceforth.

THE DECLINE OF ROMAN EMPIRE.

Many historians and archeologists have toyed with the decline of the Roman Empire. There have been arguments if it was a modernistic transformation of Roman Empire giving way to coming times or an overwhelming upheaval, reducing the glory of the Empire into centuries of Dark Age. However, an abrupt decline in Roman will, courage and culture as reflected by archeological findings, could not be effectively substantiated by modern thinkers who believe the 'decline' was actually a voluntary transformation.

Most noticeably, the Roman Empire had evolved a system of government that valued civic virtue; this was squarely accountable for her brilliance and splendor. Therein she allowed optimum participation of learned and capable pupil in both society and politics; it was this fact more than any other factors that rendered Rome, a great empire; indeed, it is the eclipse of this civic virtue that resulted in the decay of the same. Formerly, Rome had conquered Cathrage and had spread over Spain into the Middle East, absorbing the rich heritage of ancient Egypt and Greece which was by all means beyond her. Such was the way in which she propounded with overwhelming glory. The genius behind these achievements was her governmental success; coupled with a blend of patriotism and civil virtue that took her places in time. This quality of appropriate utilization of individual talents was complimented by democratic way of holding offices. Which meant that office holding was purely done electively and annually ensuring the representation of popular and capable pupil. Such enthusiastic public involvement in the state matters resulted in patriotism, devotion and love for the heritage.

Romans had just the right formula required to run a government, which was: "The struggles of the patricians and plebians had firmly established the first and equal balance of the constitution, which united the freedom of the popular assemblies with the authority and wisdom of the senate." (Gibbon, 1900). This was accomplished by avoiding imperial power. Being a monarchy originally, it was overthrown and transformed into a republic with responsible and sensitive citizens coming forth and taking pains for the welfare of the society as well as smooth running of the polity. According to historians, the murder of Emperor Commodus marks the decline of the Roman Empire. What followed was a series of incompetent men who threw the empire in hands of discord and decay. There was a visible disappearance of public participation which eroded civic virtue and patriotism among the people. Able men and women vanished from the government services. As Gibbon explains:

"Their personal valor remained, but they no longer possessed that public courage which is nourished by the love of independence, the sense of national honor, the presence of danger, and the habit of command. They received laws and governors from the will of their sovereign, and trusted for their defense to a mercenary army."(Gibbon, 1990).