When discussing the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire one has to see that this occurred over many years and had many different facets. Each issue has to be addressed independently with the understanding that they simultaneously combined to the dissension within the Empire and the falling of the borders that had been established during its height. By the end of the second century AD, the empire encompassed most of the Mediterranean, including Spain, France, most of Britain, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Egypt, and Northern Africa.

The beginning of the end for this great empire can be traced as far back as Julius Caesar and his crossing of the Rubicon with his army in order, according to him, to defend the Republic. After he accomplished this task, he was declared dictator for life, became a monarch in every way except by name that would continue on until the end of Western Roman Empire. He was assassinated on March 14th, 44 BC, his death was avenged, two years later he was proclaimed a god, and the republic was pronounced restored. By this time, though, the republic was wounded forever, slowly to lose sight of its

This was the state of affairs when Diocletion took charge in 285 AD. He was able to successfully drive back the barbarians and restore order the empire, but it was a new one completely ruled by in a tyrannical and imperial fashion. But there was no escape from the relentless regimentation of the state that pervaded all aspects of life. This was the end result of the abdication of political freedom and the pursuit of materialism and the welfare state became more and more of a dictatorship. This new state still had enough power to hold off the barbarians at the frontiers for another century. In 324, Constantine the Great won the place of emperor under the sign of the cross, created tolerance for Christianity, and moved the capital of the empire to Byzantium, which he re-named Constantinople. Therefore Rome was no longer the center of the empire.

The political workings of Rome changed dramatically after the time of Marcus Aurelius mainly due to the military becoming more involved in the placement and removal of emperors as well as the steady decline in economy. By the second century, many cities were spending themselves into debt. Not only was there an adverse balance of trade, Rome was importing vastly more luxuries and exporting mainly currency, the taxed citizens were also supporting immense public works, buildings, bathhouses, and such. There were also the costs of the feasts, holidays, processions, and the games and spectacles of the amphitheatre, not to mention the dole that was handed out to the entire lower class. Slavery did not help this because it affected the free labor economy and its ability to be competitive within the market. Added to this was the same plague as above which meant there fewer people to tax. No one perceived that rising inflation and taxatio

Some topics in this essay:
Marcus Aurelius, AD Rome, Roman Empire, Originally Roman, Julius Caesar, Constantinople Rome, Alaric Goths, Angles Saxons, , Northern Africa, marcus aurelius, roman empire, political workings, workings rome, 285 ad, ad empire, political workings rome,