How Did the Roman Empire Fall - and Did It Really End?

After the Roman general Stilicho died, the Visigoth king Alaric attacked and captured Rome in the year 410 CE. This was a huge shock — Rome had been the powerful center of the empire for centuries. The city was looted (this is called a sack), and this marked the start of a big change: the Western Roman Empire was beginning to fall apart and become ruled by barbarian groups.

Why did the world’s economy catch a cold?

Picture the world economy in the 1920s as a huge fairground. Clever inventors had built lightning-fast assembly lines and modern farms, so stalls were packed with shiny new cars, radios and mountains of wheat. Thinkers like Karl Polányi, John Kenneth Galbraith, Eugen Varga, Nikolai Kondratyev, Paul Samuelson and Milton Friedman later tried to explain what happened next—but first came the noise and glitter. Sellers expected customers forever; nobody noticed the fairground was running out of eager buyers.

What Kind of Authority Did Syracuse Have Under Hiero II?

During the reign of Hiero II (270–215 BCE), Syracuse was a strong and independent Hellenistic kingdom located in eastern Sicily. While it wasn’t formally called an empire, Hiero held considerable power and influence in the region. His capital, Syracuse, was the largest and richest Greek city on the island. He ruled over the southeastern part of Sicily, especially the areas around the capital, and his influence reached far into the interior of the island.

Why Did the Jews Rebel Against Rome — and What Happened to the Temple?

The First Jewish–Roman War, also called the Jewish War, was a major rebellion by the Jewish people of Judea against the Roman Empire. It lasted from 66 CE to 73 (or 74) CE and is best known for the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

What Was Life Like in the Roman Empire During the 2nd Century?

Farming was still the most important part of the Roman economy in the 2nd century. People mainly grew crops, and over time, they started growing new kinds of fruit from the East, like cherries and peaches. Growing vegetables and garden plants also became more common. However, farmers mostly continued to use the same old tools and methods instead of inventing new ones.