Breakup of The Roman Empire PDF

Preview

Summary

Breakup of The Roman Empire...

Description

Running Head: BREAKUP OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

The breakup of The Roman Empire Name Institution Affiliation Date

1

BREAKUP OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

2

The breakup of The Roman Empire The reign of Rome across the Mediterranean and Europe lasted for almost a millennium. However, cracks started to appear by 200AD, and by 400AD, the empire was struggling due to the vast area under its control. The empire finally collapsed in 476 AD. The two significant leaders who preceded the fall of the empire were Majorian in 457AD and Julius Nepos in 474AD. Majorian, a former general in the Roman army, overthrew Emperor Avitus, whereas Julius Nepos deposed Glycerius and installed himself as the leader of the western empire without fighting and bloodshed (Wikipedia, 2019). However, the forces of Magister Militurn repelled against Julius Nepos in 475AD, which led to his escape to Dalmatia. The first problem leading to Rome eventual breakup was the challenge facing Majorian, which was to recover Gaul and strengthen his rule over Italy. However, other tasks, including the recovery of Africa and Hispania, were too ambitious and were to be implemented later. The western emperor Avitus had claimed control over Hispania in 455AD when the Visigoths had successfully invaded the territory. The plan for Majorian was to recover the territory and utilize it as a strategic location for launching an offensive recovery of the province of Africa (Wikipedia, 2019). These territories were considered to be critical grain supply areas to the city of Rome; losing them meant food pressure would bite Rome. Besides, as Christianity diffused, there was social ruin such as the lifting of the practice that banned marriage among girls to safeguard wealth in aristocratic families. The tradition had led to the decline of the population in Rome, caused the spread of illicit affairs and other social evils. Ricimer plotted and orchestrated the disposition of Majorian by disbanding his army.

BREAKUP OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

3

On the other hand, Julius Nepos ruled just before the eventual break of Rome, his reign lasting only one year. With the task of cleaning up an already messed up Rome, Nepo was shocked when Atilla turned his army against him after the handover of Pannonia to the Huns. Eventually, Nepo left for Ravenna leaving the west on its own for some time before finally going back to Dalmatia. He was ultimately murdered in 480AD paving the way for the last emperor Zeno who had a legal claim of the Roman empire until the Charlemagne rule (Wikipedia, 2019). The difficulties in governing the vast empire significantly contributed to the breakup. Without efficient systems but constant conflicts, the empire did not change and grow in unison, causing differences and eventual collapse.

BREAKUP OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE References Wikipedia. (2019). Julius Nepos. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Nepos Wikipedia. (2019). Majorian. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majorian

4...