Explore an insightful and original discussion of the causes of the
fall of the Roman Empire
In Why Rome Fell: Decline and Fall, or Drift and Change?, celebrated
scholar of Roman history Dr. Michael Arnheim delivers a fascinating and
robust exploration of the causes of and reasons for Rome's fall in the
West. Steeped in applications of elite theory to the later Roman Empire,
the author discusses several interconnected issues that influenced the
decline of Rome, including monarchy, power structure, social mobility,
religion, and the aristocratic ethos.
Incisive comparisons of the situation in Rome to those in the Principate
and the Byzantine Empire shed light on the relative lack of
"indissoluble union and easy obedience" (in Gibbon's phrase) in the
later Roman Empire. Instead, the book reveals the divided loyalties of a
fractured society that characterized Rome in its later years. Why Rome
Fell also includes:
- A thorough introduction to the transition from the ancient to the
medieval world, including discussions of monarchy, Diocletian and his
relationship to the aristocracy, and Constantine's reforms
- Comprehensive explorations of the rise of the Roman Christian empire
and Constantine's role
- Practical discussions of conflicting theories of what caused the fall
of the Roman empire, including the Pirenne thesis, the malaria
hypothesis, Gibbon's 'decline and fall' theory, and the role played by
religion
An indispensable resource for students, scholars and the general reader
with an inquiring mind about history, Why Rome Fell deserves a place
on the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in a sophisticated and
original take on historical continuity and change.
