Rome Essay

While the Cybil’s curse is correct in predicting Rome’s eventual decadence, this depravity was in no way the fundamental cause of its demise. In actuality, the fall of the Roman Empire can be attributed to massive social change, crippling economic issues, and pressure on its vast borders by other rising powers.

When Constantine made Christianity the official religion of Rome, he contributed to the empire’s downfall. The previous religious system of Roman gods and goddesses reinforced the power of the emperors, because rulers could claim to be chosen by the gods. When Rome converted to Christianity, however, they could no longer legitimately assert that they were backed by a higher power. Also, Christianity’s promise of a better life after death may have diminished the individual’s drive to succeed. If life on earth is seen merely as a transition period, then what one accomplishes in a lifetime is not nearly as important. Such an attitude would have had an effect on the economy as well.

Near the end of Rome’s thousand years of dominance, economic uncertainty plagued the empire. Inflation was rampant, with Diocletian’s attempt to lower prices having had the opposite effect. In an attempt to counteract this, Emperors like Nero took to simply commissioning the minting of more money. Debasing the currency means that coins lose their value, becoming important only for the amount of silver and gold they contain. By the last years of the empire, Roman coins contained only miniscule percentages of these precious metals. Additionally, the luxurious lifestyles of the emperors depleted the imperial coffers, leaving Rome unable to deal with the economic crisis. Furthermore, Rome’s main revenue was taxes, and with the borders being gradually eaten away, tax revenue was greatly decreased.

Most of the blame for Rome’s fall can be placed on outside pressures. At its peak, the Empire extended over most of Europe, and much of the Middle East. Without efficient transportation, borders of this size would be impossible to defend. When the immensely effective warrior Huns migrated into Europe, they displaced the many Germanic tribes living on the outskirts of the Roman Empire. In turn, these people began ravaging towns and cities inside the Roman border, gradually reducing the Empire bit by bit. Lastly, Rome was threatened from the East by the rising power of Parthia. Due to the other issues facing Rome at the time, Rome no longer had the military strength to defend against the Parthians and assert themselves as the great world power they once were.

Rome was certainly a self-indulgent society. Rulers spent massive amounts of much needed money on luxuries such as colossal entertainment facilities and extravagant temples. The fall of the Empire, however, cannot be blamed on this decadence. The fault for Rome’s demise lies with poor management, cultural division, and defensive failure, not with the depravity of a select few.