Michael Grant’s book, The Fall of the Roman Empire, A Reappraisal, examines the causes behind the decline and eventual collapse of the Roman Empire. Grant identifies six factors that played a role in this downfall: failure of the army, social divisions, erosion of trust, broken alliances, disengagement by certain groups, and subversion of efforts.
The author wrote this book as an homage to Edward Gibbon and his influential work, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which greatly influenced Grant. Through his analysis in this book, Grant offers a comprehensive understanding of Rome’s fall while drawing connections to contemporary events.
According to Grant, Constantine the Great’s adoption of Christianity was the main reason for the downfall of the Roman Empire. From 324 to 337 AD, while ruling as emperor, Constantine not only embraced Christianity but also gave Christians special privileges and protection through a decree. This led to significant changes in Roman society as biblical teachings shifted focus from militarism to pacifism. At the same time, Rome saw a decline in its citizens’ dedication to moral values, leading to deteriorating ethics and living standards.
The decline of Rome can be attributed to multiple factors, including a lack of employment opportunities for skilled workers. The expenses involved in maintaining the military to safeguard the expanding empire caused a scarcity of jobs for skilled individuals, leading to a reliance on government assistance among the plebeians. Consequently, this cycle of poverty resulted in a loss of trust in the government. Furthermore, Romans had to endure plagues, earthquakes, and famines alongside ongoing wars and revolts, resulting in a significant deterioration in the overall quality of life for all members of society.
Despite various contributing factors, the primary reason for the decline of the Roman Empire was a lack of sufficient infrastructure to sustain its extensive growth. Rome encountered difficulties in defending its territories, leading to increased invasion attempts. Additionally, other nations exploited Rome’s vulnerable government. The empire also faced challenges due to a shortage of allies, worsening the issue of foreign invasions.
Grant demonstrates exceptional skill in this book, effectively conveying a vast amount of information in a way that is easy to understand and thorough. The author remains impartial throughout the text and uses helpful visuals. A particularly remarkable chapter called “Ally against Ally” explores different Roman leaders and their alliances, showing how later rulers dismantled these connections. Importantly, Grant extensively examines the relationship between Rome and Greece, highlighting the power dynamics of conqueror and conquered (p. 191).
Overall, this book provides a comprehensive and enlightening exploration of Roman history. The author, Grant, demonstrates a profound understanding of the subject matter through the information presented. One notable aspect is the skillful incorporation of contemporary historical events and their parallels with those in the Roman Empire. Moreover, the book effectively outlines the factors that contributed to Rome’s downfall, making it appealing to both casual readers and scholarly researchers.
