How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower

In AD 200, the Roman Empire seemed unassailable. Its vast territory accounted for most of the known world. By the end of the fifth century, Roman rule had vanished in western Europe and much of northern Africa, and only a shrunken Eastern Empire remained. What accounts for this improbable decline? Here, Adrian Goldsworthy applies the scholarship, perspective, and narrative skill that defined his monumental "Caesar" to address perhaps the greatest of all historical questions—how Rome fell. It was a period of remarkable personalities, from the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius to emperors like Diocletian, who portrayed themselves as tough, even brutal, soldiers. It was a time of revolutionary ideas, especially in religion, as Christianity went from persecuted sect to the religion of state and emperors. Goldsworthy pays particular attention to the willingness of Roman soldiers to fight and kill each other. Ultimately, this is the story of how an empire without a serious rival rotted from within, its rulers and institutions putting short-term ambition and personal survival over the wider good of the state. How Rome Fell is a brilliant successor to Goldsworthy's "monumental" ("The Atlantic") "Caesar."

“"Goldsworthy . . . claims the empire's fatal move was to make the centre of authority--Rome and its experienced senatorial government--irrelevant. . . . Goldsworthy's expertise guarantees his clearly and powerfully articulated thesis will open up the debate all over again."--Peter Jones, Telegraph "Meticulously researched, complex and thought-provoking."--Diana Preston, The Washington Post Book World (Best of 2009 Review) "Goldsworthy gives a vivid account. . . . [he] tells us clearly and well--and without attempts at literary majesty--about the series of events that brought Rome's western empire to a state of collapse."-- Wall Street Journal "On a more profound level, Goldsworthy has depicted the grim process by which the Res Publica, the common good of the Roman many, was sacrificed for the self-preservation of the Imperial few, leading in due course to the destruction of all."-- California Literary Review "As in Caesar , Goldsworthy excels at recounting important battles. Where many accounts only briefly cover the Battle of Adrianople in 378, Goldsworthy provides a detailed discussion of the battle itself and the aftermath of the catastrophic Roman defeat. Descriptions of military maneuvering and organization are not unduly technical for the lay reader and are supplemented by accessible charts and maps."--Daniel Larison, The American Conservative "Goldsworthy's writing is easy to follow, sometimes almost conversational in tone without being overly colloquial. How Rome Fell is both enjoyable and thought-provoking."--Carolyn Nelson, The Journal of Military History " How Rome Fell is an interesting and compelling analysis. It is definitely worth the price to obtain and the time to digest, even if you are not a student of classical history."--Brandon Crocker, The American Spectator "A very important book for anyone interested in Roman history."-- The NYMAS Review "[A] masterful survey."-- The New Criterion ". . . weaves a compelling narrative that has enough new research to keep even well seasoned 'Romanphiles' satisfied."-- Washington Times "Goldsworthy is one of the most productive, most readable of contemporary military historians of ancient Rome. . . . Excellent chronology, glossary, bibliography."--P. B. Harvey Jr., Choice "A very important book for anyone interested in Roman history."--A. A. Nofl, strategypage.com ". . . hugely informative sections on military, economic, and sociological issues . . . terrific book."--Tony Lewis, Providence Sunday Journal "Goldsworthy is not the first historian to note the self-destructiveness of Roman imperial and military institutions. He has, however, provided one of the most penetrating and well-written analyses of how this dysfunction led to the fall of the Roman Empire."--Daniel P. Murphy, Magill's Literary Annual 2010 Selected as one of the Best Books of 2009 in the World History category, Diana Preston, Washington Post Book World "Adrian Goldsworthy is one of the new generation of young classicists who combines scholarship with storytelling to bring the ancient world to life."--Simon Sebag Montefiore”

"Goldsworthy . . . claims the empire's fatal move was to make the centre of authority-Rome and its experienced senatorial government-irrelevant. . . . Goldsworthy's expertise guarantees his clearly and powerfully articulated thesis will open up the debate all over again."-Peter Jones, Telegraph

"Meticulously researched, complex and thought-provoking."-Diana Preston, The Washington Post Book World (Best of 2009 Review) "Goldsworthy gives a vivid account. . . . [he] tells us clearly and well-and without attempts at literary majesty-about the series of events that brought Rome's western empire to a state of collapse."-Wall Street Journal

Selected as one of the Best Books of 2009 in the World History category, Diana Preston, Washington Post Book World "Adrian Goldsworthy is one of the new generation of young classicists who combines scholarship with storytelling to bring the ancient world to life."-Simon Sebag Montefiore

Adrian Goldsworthy was educated at St. John's College, O

Adrian Goldsworthy was educated at St. John's College, Oxford, where he completed his doctorate in ancient history, xford, where he completed his doctorate in ancient history, specializing in the military history of the Greek and especispecializing in the military history of the Greek and especially Roman periods. He is the author of "The Roman Army at Wally Roman periods. He is the author of "The Roman Army at War 100 BC-AD 200", "In the Name of Rome: The Men Who Won thear 100 BC-AD 200", "In the Name of Rome: The Men Who Won the Ro

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