According to Gibbon, the Roman Empire succumbed to barbarian invasions in king-size part due to the gradual loss of civic justice among its citizens.[3] They had become weak, outsourcing their duties to defend their Empire to barbarian mercenaries, who then became so numerous and ingrained that they were able to take over the Empire. Romans, he believed, had become effeminate, unwilling to live a tougher, manly soldiery lifestyle. He further blames the degeneracy of the Roman army and the praetorian guards. In addition, Gibbon argued that Christianity created a belief that a let on life existed after death, which fostered an indifference to the present among Roman citizens, therefore sapping their desire to sacrifice for the Empire. He also believed its comparative pacificism tended to hamper the traditional Roman martial spirit. Finally, like other(a) Enlightenment thinkers, Gibbon held in contempt the Middle Ages as a priest-ridden, superstitious, dark age.
It was not until his own age of priming and rational thought, it was believed, that human history could resume its progress.[citation needed]
Gibbon sees the uncreated catalyst of the empires initial decay and eventual collapse in the Praetorian Guard, instituted as a special class of soldiers permanently encamped in a commanding position within Rome, a seed planted by Augustus at the establishment of the empire. As Gibbon calls them at the outset of Chapter V: The Praetorian bands, whose unchaste fury was the first symptom and cause of the decline of the Roman empire... He cites repeated examples of this special force abusing its power with smuggled results, including...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com
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