ChatterBank4 mins ago
The fall of Rome
Ok, I know this is probably a big question but it's something i've never got. So for various reasons the power that was the roman empire collapsed and barbarians destroyed it.
But what practicially happened? Surely all those citizens that did enjoy a 'civilized' life were't killed or just put up with this new lifestyle?
I can't imagine how people could simply live amongst these ruins of a time so much more advanced then what they're currently living and not attempt to re-assimilate it.
How could it take hundreds (?) of years untill the middle ages and even the they didn't match up to the advancement of the Romans?
Please help me get my head around this!
Answers
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The Roman Empire relied upon either the booty from conquered territories (ending with the end of Roman territorial expansion) or upon a pattern of tax collection that ultimately drove small-scale farmers into destitution and onto a dole that required even more exactions upon those who could not escape taxation, or into dependency upon a landed �lite exempt from taxation. Financial needs of sustaining the empire and it's expansion (conquering, building and civilising) continued to increase, but the means of meeting them steadily eroded. After the fall of the empire in the west, there was no single entity to finance and continue the percieved 'extravagances' of the civilised romans.
Ask yourself this question civilisation is collapsing around you...there are lots of Saxons with Axes coming towards you and the army has just run away..do you...
a) stay where you are and try to rebuild society single handed.
b) RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!!!
This sort of scenario is illustrated very well in Romeros Zombie films....watch the original Dawn of the Dead.