Required Daily #35

Edward Gibbon describes many reasons why the Roman Empire fell like it did. First of all, the main reason why the empire flourished was how the people had virtues they followed and they were like the main principles of Rome. The freedom of the people in the republic was declining greatly because of the recent wars Rome fought in. The emperors of Rome were beginning to become corrupt and the military was becoming very unorganized, and as a result, barbarians came to Rome in large groups. Gibbon goes on to say that Christianity was one thing to blame for the decline of Rome and the virtues that the Romans once used were now becoming unnoticed in society. He says that Rome was not aware and did not care about the enemies they had even though they were in danger and tyranny was starting to take over in Rome. He says the military was starting to crumble and the Barbarians really started to take control of Europe with their war-like tactics. Gibbon is trying to say that Rome declined because of themselves as a whole and Rome pretty much destroyed itself.

Arnold Toynbee’s view on the fall of the Roman Empire focuses greatly on Christianity and little else. He believes the rise of Christianity led to the decline of the empire. He often argues with Gibbon’s view on the decline of the empire and talks about his own view. He talks about how Christianity did not fit well with the Roman civilization because the Romans had different beliefs and were not ready to convert. He gives many specific examples of how Christianity related to the lives of the Romans and he often gave examples of the religion in Rome, including their beliefs and practices. He talks a lot more about Christianity then Gibbon but Gibbon gives many other reasons on the fall of the Roman Empire. They both explain their points of view in a lot of detail and it is easy to see what they felt about the Roman Empire.