decline and fall of the Roman Empire

The decline and fall of the Roman Empire was a gradual process caused by internal strife, economic problems, and external invasions. Over centuries, political instability, corruption, and high taxes weakened the government. Economic issues included reliance on slave labor and debased currency, leading to inflation. Simultaneously, barbarian tribes from outside the borders, such as the Visigoths and Vandals, exploited weaknesses, attacking and conquering parts of the empire. By 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire had effectively collapsed, while the Eastern Byzantine Empire persisted. This decline was not a single event but a complex decline marked by political, military, and economic challenges.