In a well-organized essay of five to six pages, please discuss the collapse of the Roman Empire. In your essay, please discuss the role each of the following played in the empires collapse:
barbarian invasions
the socio-economic and political influence of the Roman army
internal structural difficulties, i.e., the imperial government, the cost of administration, etc.
the rise of Christianity.
As always, determine which cause was most or at least more important than the others were.
This assignment differs from the first. While the first essay was exclusively analytical, this essay will combine research with analysis. Please include a discussion of at least two historical sources and two scholarly treatments (do not use survey textbooks; do not use more than one item from the internet!)
The research for this essay should include both factual research and a brief summary of the view taken by the historians you have chosen.
The analytical challenge in this essay is also two-fold. You should not only determine for yourself what the most important factor in Romes collapse was, but also should determine whether or not the historians you have chosen judged correctly. Crucial, therefore, to writing a successful essay is
the development of a thesis which meets both of the analytical challenges, and
the crafting of factual arguments which support your thesis.
