Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: SedVictaCatoni
I'm afraid I've wandered somewhat from the original intent of this thread, but I would point out that the Rome of Constantine and beyond, while nominally integral within itself, comprised only half of the former Empire. The Western Empire began to dissolve in the middle of the 3rd century AD when Rome abandoned Dacia to the Goths.

By the time Constantine began his reign, the Roman military could no longer sustain itself and was forced to hire mercenaries to defend its borders. This contributed to a further weakening of an economy crippled by civil war, and forced the Emperor to institute drastic economic reforms that only delayed the inevitable end. With the confederation of many of the barbarian tribes, and given its dwindling resources, Western Rome could no longer protect its borders. The end was assured by the start of the Fourth Century, although the Empire struggled on after that, even managing some semblance of its former glory whenever it could stop bickering long enough to raise an effective army.

While it is simplistic to attribute the fall of Rome to moral decay, it is simply revisionist to pretend that it didn't play a role. Constantine's reign marked the last flare of the Roman candle before the flame was extinguished permanently.

48 posted on 01/11/2004 11:22:20 AM PST by IronJack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies ]


To: IronJack
While it is simplistic to attribute the fall of Rome to moral decay, it is simply revisionist to pretend that it didn't play a role. Constantine's reign marked the last flare of the Roman candle before the flame was extinguished permanently.

You have done an admirable job of summarizing the military and economic factors leading to the Empire's decline after what Rostovtzeff termed the "Crisis of the Third Century", but you haven't given any indication of what part you believe moral decay played in the collapse of the Western Empire. As I pointed out, many contemporary Romans considered the spread of Christianity to be "moral decay", for the reasons which Gibbon noted - detachment from secular affairs, monasticism, etc.

52 posted on 01/11/2004 5:00:52 PM PST by SedVictaCatoni (You keep nasty chips.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson