How did The Roman Empire Start to Collapse
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Date: 2025-03-30
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Comments and reviews: 20
knowledgia
An interesting fact is that the Franks were not only connected to the Western Roman Empire, but also to the Eastern Roman Empire. For example, the wife of Emperor Arcadius was Aelia Eudoxia, the daughter of the Frankish commander of the Roman army, Bautho, and the mother of Emperor Theodosius II and Empress Pulcheria.
In the West, in 358, Emperor Julian the Apostate made the Salian Franks citizens of the empire, their legal status being called (dediticii. Later, the Frankish king Childeric I, for his loyalty, was subsequently granted the office of dux (governor) of the province of Belgica II by one of the last Roman emperors, as mentioned in a letter from Bishop Remigius of Reims to King Clovis I, written in the late 490s. In 508, a Byzantine embassy arrived in Tours to see Clovis, informing him that Emperor Anastasius I had elevated him to the rank of patrician and recognized him as the Roman governor of the province of Gaul. Anastasius also sent him royal insignia as a sign of formal recognition: a chlamys, a purple tunic, and a diadem. By this act, Byzantium expressed its approval of Clovis's anti-Gothic policy and his acceptance of the Christian faith. For the Christian population of Gaul, this meant additional confirmation of the legitimacy of the Frankish government!
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An interesting fact is that the Franks were not only connected to the Western Roman Empire, but also to the Eastern Roman Empire. For example, the wife of Emperor Arcadius was Aelia Eudoxia, the daughter of the Frankish commander of the Roman army, Bautho, and the mother of Emperor Theodosius II and Empress Pulcheria.
In the West, in 358, Emperor Julian the Apostate made the Salian Franks citizens of the empire, their legal status being called (dediticii. Later, the Frankish king Childeric I, for his loyalty, was subsequently granted the office of dux (governor) of the province of Belgica II by one of the last Roman emperors, as mentioned in a letter from Bishop Remigius of Reims to King Clovis I, written in the late 490s. In 508, a Byzantine embassy arrived in Tours to see Clovis, informing him that Emperor Anastasius I had elevated him to the rank of patrician and recognized him as the Roman governor of the province of Gaul. Anastasius also sent him royal insignia as a sign of formal recognition: a chlamys, a purple tunic, and a diadem. By this act, Byzantium expressed its approval of Clovis's anti-Gothic policy and his acceptance of the Christian faith. For the Christian population of Gaul, this meant additional confirmation of the legitimacy of the Frankish government!
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knowledgia
Tacitus wrote: So long has Germany withstood the arms of Rome. During this long interval many mutual wounds have been inflicted. Not the Samnite, the Carthaginian, Spain, Gaul, or Parthia, have given more frequent alarms; for the liberty of the Germans is more vigorous than the monarchy of the Arsacidae. What has the East, which has itself lost Pacorus, and suffered an overthrow from Ventidius, to boast against us, but the slaughter of Crassus But the Germans, by the defeat or capture of Carbo, Cassius, Scaurus Aurelius, Servilius Caepio, and Cneius Manlius, deprived the Roman people of five consular armies; and afterwards took from Augustus himself Varus with three legions. Nor did Caius Marius in Italy, the deified Julius in Gaul, or Drusus, Nero, or Germanicus in their own country, defeat then without loss. The subsequent mighty threats of Caligula terminated in ridicule. Then succeeded tranquillity; till, seizing the occasion of our discords and civil wars, they forced the winter-quarters of the legions, and even aimed at the possession of Gaul; and, again expelled thence, they have in latter times been rather triumphed over than vanquished.
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Tacitus wrote: So long has Germany withstood the arms of Rome. During this long interval many mutual wounds have been inflicted. Not the Samnite, the Carthaginian, Spain, Gaul, or Parthia, have given more frequent alarms; for the liberty of the Germans is more vigorous than the monarchy of the Arsacidae. What has the East, which has itself lost Pacorus, and suffered an overthrow from Ventidius, to boast against us, but the slaughter of Crassus But the Germans, by the defeat or capture of Carbo, Cassius, Scaurus Aurelius, Servilius Caepio, and Cneius Manlius, deprived the Roman people of five consular armies; and afterwards took from Augustus himself Varus with three legions. Nor did Caius Marius in Italy, the deified Julius in Gaul, or Drusus, Nero, or Germanicus in their own country, defeat then without loss. The subsequent mighty threats of Caligula terminated in ridicule. Then succeeded tranquillity; till, seizing the occasion of our discords and civil wars, they forced the winter-quarters of the legions, and even aimed at the possession of Gaul; and, again expelled thence, they have in latter times been rather triumphed over than vanquished.
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faenethlorhalien
Tbh, developing a culture of making enemies with all your neighbors (mind you, at a time in which owning that land would mark the difference between starving or surviving, so it's understandable; we live in a world blessed by modern fertilizers and those were not a thing until the 20th century, and developing a militaristic culture in society in which the brute, the violent and the cruel were venerated as more masculine and, therefore, more deserving of ruling - as if being a damn brute would make on a better ruler; hint: no - is obviously a highway towards losing your empire and losing yourself. Take note, America, the end of the American empire has just started and it will be slow, but sadly unstoppable, unless you turn back and embrace northern European-style social democracy.
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Tbh, developing a culture of making enemies with all your neighbors (mind you, at a time in which owning that land would mark the difference between starving or surviving, so it's understandable; we live in a world blessed by modern fertilizers and those were not a thing until the 20th century, and developing a militaristic culture in society in which the brute, the violent and the cruel were venerated as more masculine and, therefore, more deserving of ruling - as if being a damn brute would make on a better ruler; hint: no - is obviously a highway towards losing your empire and losing yourself. Take note, America, the end of the American empire has just started and it will be slow, but sadly unstoppable, unless you turn back and embrace northern European-style social democracy.
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Donthaveacowbra
One reason why empires fall is that the internal pressure is always high. Since you establish rule by might, the moment you have a leader who is incompetent there is pressure to overthrow them. Thus you either get them overthrown, or, they purge comeptency which just hastens the decline that way. This is why long living empires generally need a position revered such that removal is. less accepted. Ironically this is true even with democracies. Trump is purging comeptency and in the effort to hold on to power he will be the cause of his own demise.
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One reason why empires fall is that the internal pressure is always high. Since you establish rule by might, the moment you have a leader who is incompetent there is pressure to overthrow them. Thus you either get them overthrown, or, they purge comeptency which just hastens the decline that way. This is why long living empires generally need a position revered such that removal is. less accepted. Ironically this is true even with democracies. Trump is purging comeptency and in the effort to hold on to power he will be the cause of his own demise.
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jerkfck
The empire was weakened because of the diversity. There was no root empire when you scatter your holdings across such a vast plain with such differences in culture. The barbarians that last raided Rome and finally overtook it weren't really met with much resistance, as the empire was a former shell of itself by that point. In fact, they were welcomed in certain circumstances, whether it be out of kindness or need of a savior from a dying empire that did nothing but take and give nothing in return.
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The empire was weakened because of the diversity. There was no root empire when you scatter your holdings across such a vast plain with such differences in culture. The barbarians that last raided Rome and finally overtook it weren't really met with much resistance, as the empire was a former shell of itself by that point. In fact, they were welcomed in certain circumstances, whether it be out of kindness or need of a savior from a dying empire that did nothing but take and give nothing in return.
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mysticaltemplar73
Eerily similar to the US. Division within the empire, defacing the currency with money printing, taxation (Left taxes and Right tariffs. The only thing left is civil war, maybe not soon by inevitably with divisions widening. This could either be by bloodshed or secession but either way a Divided United States, exactly with the forefathers, with great vision, had feared when they warned us IN the name of their empire.
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Eerily similar to the US. Division within the empire, defacing the currency with money printing, taxation (Left taxes and Right tariffs. The only thing left is civil war, maybe not soon by inevitably with divisions widening. This could either be by bloodshed or secession but either way a Divided United States, exactly with the forefathers, with great vision, had feared when they warned us IN the name of their empire.
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Afrologist
7: 30 Proof that battle casualties are more than statistics. Rome lost some of its most veteran units in Mursa Major, along with a solid chunk of noble sons & expert cavalry. Personally, this event is criminally overlooked in terms of the later apathy Romans would have in joining their own military, hence the later reliance on foreign mercs/Foederati that would partially doom them once the Huns started invading.
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7: 30 Proof that battle casualties are more than statistics. Rome lost some of its most veteran units in Mursa Major, along with a solid chunk of noble sons & expert cavalry. Personally, this event is criminally overlooked in terms of the later apathy Romans would have in joining their own military, hence the later reliance on foreign mercs/Foederati that would partially doom them once the Huns started invading.
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knowledgia
Really insightful breakdown of Rome’s collapse! The mix of internal chaos, like the succession struggles after Constantine, and external pressures from tribes and the Sasanians paints such a vivid picture. Julian’s brief pagan revival and Theodosius I’s final reign are fascinating turning points. Awesome way to tie economics, religion, and military losses together!
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Really insightful breakdown of Rome’s collapse! The mix of internal chaos, like the succession struggles after Constantine, and external pressures from tribes and the Sasanians paints such a vivid picture. Julian’s brief pagan revival and Theodosius I’s final reign are fascinating turning points. Awesome way to tie economics, religion, and military losses together!
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jeffdege4786
Hannibal destroyed the economic structure of Rome. He wiped out the independent farmers. Which were replaced by slave plantations with absentee land owners.
Agricultural production began a centuries long decline. Politically, Rome seemed to be powerful, because it was looting larger and larger areas, but it was rotting from the center.
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Hannibal destroyed the economic structure of Rome. He wiped out the independent farmers. Which were replaced by slave plantations with absentee land owners.
Agricultural production began a centuries long decline. Politically, Rome seemed to be powerful, because it was looting larger and larger areas, but it was rotting from the center.
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CARL_093
reasons romes down fall
Invasions by Barbarian tribes. .
Economic troubles and overreliance on slave labor. .
The rise of the Eastern Empire. .
Overexpansion and military overspending. .
Government corruption and political instability. .
The arrival of the Huns and the migration of the Barbarian tribes.
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reasons romes down fall
Invasions by Barbarian tribes. .
Economic troubles and overreliance on slave labor. .
The rise of the Eastern Empire. .
Overexpansion and military overspending. .
Government corruption and political instability. .
The arrival of the Huns and the migration of the Barbarian tribes.
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brandonboggs5461
It really fell bc the eastern empire and westen empire split and the western empire couldnt sustain itself with the revenue coming in without Egypt, Syria, Constantinople, etc. And they lacked manpower from being at war FOREVER, outsiders coming in, snd good old corruption of the senate and emperors
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It really fell bc the eastern empire and westen empire split and the western empire couldnt sustain itself with the revenue coming in without Egypt, Syria, Constantinople, etc. And they lacked manpower from being at war FOREVER, outsiders coming in, snd good old corruption of the senate and emperors
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HistoryfortheAges
Video has some really good history in it! I have a full playlist on the Roman Empire. I have been teaching the History of Western Civ as a college professor for almost 30 years. If anyone wants an overview of the entire Roman Empire feel free to take a look!
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Video has some really good history in it! I have a full playlist on the Roman Empire. I have been teaching the History of Western Civ as a college professor for almost 30 years. If anyone wants an overview of the entire Roman Empire feel free to take a look!
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duxae1617
The Late Roman military was insanely competent and rarely lost battles against barbarians, vast majority of its losses were against other romans. There are many reasons the Roman Empire fell but it being defeated on the battlefield is not among them.
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The Late Roman military was insanely competent and rarely lost battles against barbarians, vast majority of its losses were against other romans. There are many reasons the Roman Empire fell but it being defeated on the battlefield is not among them.
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greenwave369
This is one of the worst and most bogus videos I have seen on this subject. This woke nonsense is so dumb. Rome collapsed because their senate was bought out Persian and other influences, just like what is happening right now in the US
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This is one of the worst and most bogus videos I have seen on this subject. This woke nonsense is so dumb. Rome collapsed because their senate was bought out Persian and other influences, just like what is happening right now in the US
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Just-wondering301
they became liberal, lost gender rolls and became a lazy amorphous society that was over thrown by its own military which was filled with non roman conscripts who revolted.
Similar to what’s happening now.
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they became liberal, lost gender rolls and became a lazy amorphous society that was over thrown by its own military which was filled with non roman conscripts who revolted.
Similar to what’s happening now.
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samtheman9002
Loss of Tradition, Religion, collapse of the economy, leaders and bureaucrats more corrupt then criminals, endless wars against Barbarians and wars in the Middle East, degenerate culture and hedonism. Sound familiar
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Loss of Tradition, Religion, collapse of the economy, leaders and bureaucrats more corrupt then criminals, endless wars against Barbarians and wars in the Middle East, degenerate culture and hedonism. Sound familiar
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tenzinalexander
If Commodus would have followed up on his father's Marcomanni wars it could be possibli that Rome would have lasted a other 100 years for the Romans really devastated the tribes on their borders. Just my theory
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If Commodus would have followed up on his father's Marcomanni wars it could be possibli that Rome would have lasted a other 100 years for the Romans really devastated the tribes on their borders. Just my theory
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MCorpReview
Nothing wrong w being pagan Caesar Trajan all we’re. Heck no religious freedom so capable. so valentinan was elected by senate not proclaimed by army. Varion be likeI didn’t do nothingughI ain’t c nothing
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Nothing wrong w being pagan Caesar Trajan all we’re. Heck no religious freedom so capable. so valentinan was elected by senate not proclaimed by army. Varion be likeI didn’t do nothingughI ain’t c nothing
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tacocruiser4238
Constantine didnt do his sons any favors by picking a fight with the Persians shortly before his death. Constantius II deserves alot of credit for defending the eastern empire against the Persians.
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Constantine didnt do his sons any favors by picking a fight with the Persians shortly before his death. Constantius II deserves alot of credit for defending the eastern empire against the Persians.
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celdur4635
It was the plagues on top of civil war. And the increased professional armies, no longer could rome randomly conscript soldiers. Or Rome itself could've fielded several armies of 50 000 men strong.
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It was the plagues on top of civil war. And the increased professional armies, no longer could rome randomly conscript soldiers. Or Rome itself could've fielded several armies of 50 000 men strong.
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