The fall of the Western Roman Empire was a long and ugly saga, which lasted over centuries, and not just one dramatic moment. By 500, the Roman Empire was already divided into two parts, and the west was facing many challenges from within and without. A powerful super power fell apart slowly and steadily, and to the attacks of foreigners.

Economic difficulties were a major factor. The empire placed heavy taxes on the farmers and merchants, giving rise to inflation, as the emperors debased the currency to finance their armies and government. The trade networks were broken, cities were reduced to their size and large estates became self-sufficient, functioning much like feudal states. The many small landowners went into debt, and lost their farms. In the interim, the government swelled in size and corruption, taking whatever it could.

Military issues added to the problems. Barbarian mercenaries became more and more a part of the once disciplined Roman legions and less loyal to Rome. They were recruited from the local community, which often meant that they changed teams as they pleased. The outside world continued its assaults. In the late 300s, Germanic tribes, such as the Visigoths, came from the east and crossed the Danube. Rome itself was lost, and in 410, the city was once again overwhelmed when the Visigoths led by Alaric raided the city. Other groups soon followed: Vandals raided Gaul and Spain and made their way into the north African region, blocking grain imports. Attila and his Huns destroyed the Balkans and northern Italy. Each invasion subtracted a bit of land and supplies.

The empire was in anarchy at the very top. The Emperors rose and fell rapidly, and were frequently stabbed in the back or overthrown by Generals. After the separation of the empire in 395, the west became poorer and more vulnerable, the east, based at Constantinople, remaining relatively stable and wealthy. Western rulers were unable to collect taxes and keep the roads and defenses.

By the mid-400s, the western portions were out of the hands of the central government. Britain, Gaul, Spain, and Africa were mostly conquered or were under local kings. Romulus Augustulus, a young emperor, was deposed by a Germanic chieftain, Odoacer, in 476. This is usually regarded as the end, but the lives of ordinary people slowly changed. In some areas, Roman laws and Latin were retained for a period of time, and in others a mixture of old and new methods were used.

The reasons behind them are still subject to debate. Could be the moral decay, climate change, lead poisoning, too many problems? In reality it was likely a combination. The Roman concept of a durable empire lived on, in the eastern part of the empire as Byzantium, for another thousand years. In the west, however, the fall opened the window to the Middle Ages, in which new kingdoms emerged from the ruins, and eventually formed the contours of modern Europe. It is a reminder to us that even great forces can lose their strength when they are unable to evolve and change.