The fall of the Western Roman Empire : an archaeological and historical perspective

The decline of the Roman Empire has been a subject of fascination and debate for centuries. In this original new work, Neil Christie draws on numerous sources, interweaving the latest archaeological evidence, to reconstruct the period's landscape and events. In the process, he rethinks some of historians' most widely held and long-established views: Was the Empire's disintegration caused primarily by external or internal factors? Why did the Eternal City of Old Rome collapse in the West, while the 'New Rome' of Constantinople endured in the East? What was destroyed and what remained of Roman culture after successive invasions by Vandals, Goths, Huns and other 'barbarians', and what was the impact of the new Christian religion? As Christie expertly demonstrates, the archaeology of the late Roman period reveals intriguing answers to these and other questions. Taking an innovative, interdisciplinary approach that combines traditional historical methods and a unique familiarity with the Empire's physical remnants, he uncovers new aspects of Rome's military struggles, its shifting geography, and the everyday lives of its subjects. Written in a clear, accessible style, The Fall of the Western Roman Empire is a perfect introduction for newcomers to the subject, and essential reading for undergraduate students and specialists in archaeology and ancient history. Chapter 1 The Fall Of The Late Roman West: Contexts Of Change Ad 200-500 8 -- Introduction 8 -- The Marcomannic Wars 9 -- The Third-century Crisis 14 -- State Revival And Realignment: Into The Late Empire 20 -- Constantine's Empire 26 -- New Conflicts And New Responses: Ad 350-95 30 -- Rome And The West In The Last Century Of Roman Rule (ad 395-476) 35 -- Chapter 2 Defending The Late Roman West: I. Armies, Commanders And Enemies 51 -- Introduction 51 -- Armies And Commands 53 -- Barbarians And The Roman Army 56 -- The Barbarian/romano-german Generals 60 -- Federates And Federate Settlements 64 -- Allies: Lands And Commands 68 -- Arms Factories In The West 70 -- Weaponry And Tactics 73 -- An Evolving Military Beast 75 -- Chapter 3 Defending The Late Roman West: Ii. Frontiers, Forts And Towns 77 -- Introduction 77 -- Rome And The Frontiers 77 -- Working Frontiers: Two Case Studies 79 -- Extended And New Frontiers 91 -- Hiding Behind Walls? 102 -- Chapter 4 Towns And Urban Society In The Late Empire 112 -- Introduction 112 -- Living In Towns: The Roman Order 114 -- Late Antique Urbanism 117 -- Roman Entertainment And Leisure -- Fates And Fortunes 130 -- Changes And Continuities Of Urban Spaces 140 -- Chapter 5 Three Capitals Of The West: Rome, Milan, Ravenna 142 -- Introduction 142 -- Rome: A Capital In Transition 143 -- Milan: New Capital, New Role 149 -- Ravenna: A Christian Capital 183 -- Charting Power Change 156 -- Chapter 6 Pagans And Christians In The Late Roman West 156 -- Introduction 158 -- Conflict And Loss: Charting The Fate Of Non-christian Cults 159 -- Elites, Bishops And The Church 170 -- Christianisations Of Space 173 -- Christianising The Frontier Provinces -- Conversions In The North 179 -- Monks And Pilgrims 188 -- Christianity Affirmed 190 -- Chapter 7 Communications, Trade And Land 191 -- Introduction 191 -- Trade And Transport I: Land, Maps, Roads 192 -- Trade And Transport Ii: Ships, Waterways, Ports 195 -- Food. Trade And The State 199 -- Landscape Changes 205 -- Chapter 8 The Ends Of Rome In The West 210 -- Introduction 210 -- Sub- And Post-roman Britain 211 -- St Severinus In Noricum 216 -- New Powers On Lost Borders: Bavarians And Moors 218 -- The Ostrogoths In Italy 220 -- The New In The Old 222 -- Conclusions: An Empire Lost And Transformed 225 -- Introduction 225 -- An Historical Decline And Fall 225 -- An Archaeology Of Decline? 229 -- Notes 232 -- Bibliography 251 -- Index 296. Neil Christie. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [251]-295) And Index. ANCIENT HISTORY: TO C 500 CE. There are possibly more explanations for the fall of the Roman Empire than for any other event in history: from the theory that links the widespread use of lead in utensils and glass with mental impairment (and hence incapacity for rule) to the sequoia tree theory, which purports to show through reduced ring growth in these ancient trees how the period coinciding with the fall of empire was one of hardship and death. The more bizarre theories are entertaining but devoid of explanatory power. The question still remains: why did the empire fall? As Christie suggests, the question is misconceived, for rather than collapse there was in the west a process of transformation and in the east the empire continued, scarcely less 'Roman' than before even though Rome itself was not a component This book offers a fresh assessment of the Western Roman Empire's ostensible decline. Neil Christie presents a compelling argument that the Roman Empire did not dissolve; rather it was simply transformed in the West and persisted in the East.