Why did Rome fall - History Today article

[Imperial Dave]

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/head-head/why-did-rome-fall

Lights blue touch paper and then legs it....

[stevenneate]

It can't have fallen as it's very much alive to us. Maybe just under new management?

[Imperial Dave]

 

[Jim Webster]

Loved the phrase 'The Empire was an exercise in managed devolution'

We have lived through a similar process with the managed devolution of the soviet empire, so now, a rump state with a smaller population than Bangladesh, and a smaller GDP than Brazil claims to be a world power

Following the managed devolution argument, it might just be possible to point out that Carthage didn't really fall, because in 400AD a lot of the population still spoke Punic, and were dominating the Empire wide theological debate under Augustine of Hippo, and whoever controlled Carthage decided whether Rome ate or not. 


Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Empires fall, cities burn, people are killed, enslaved, or flee. But in their falling, empires create an industry of post hoc justifications and explanations of the situation 

[Imperial Dave]

I've fallen at least once whilst in Rome...

[Duncan Head]

I've fallen at least once whilst in Rome...

"When in Rome..."

Did you decline beforehand?

[Imperial Dave]

I think i tripped over a vestal virgin

[Cantabrigian]

I think i tripped over a vestal virgin

That's nothing.  I once tripped over a plaque on the deck of HMS Victory.

[Nick Harbud]

Keep your eye on that one Nelson!

   

[Duncan Head]

I think i tripped over a vestal virgin

Not many of those left - was probably a vestigial virgin.

[Erpingham]

I think i tripped over a vestal virgin

Not many of those left - was probably a vestigial virgin.

Didn't they all leave for the coast?

[Imperial Dave]

I think i tripped over a vestal virgin

Not many of those left - was probably a vestigial virgin.

Boom tish...

[Cantabrigian]

Didn't they all leave for the coast?

Because the coast is where you can get a Darker Shade of Ale?

[Imperial Dave]