When did the Roman Empire fall (your thoughts)?

[Flavivs Aetivs]

We also have to look at the "crisis period" of the 4th century. After the battle of Adrianople, the Western Empire never really recovered. What we see is a central state run by "late Romans" whose fathers were Vandal and Gothic. If we account for the leadership directly following that unfortunate battle and subquent death of Theodosius, we can see Fritigern, Alatheus, and Safrax, as those responsible for the decline and fall that ocurred exactly 100 years later.

And the sad fact is-- it didn't have to happen... if it were not for the greed and mismanagement of Lupicinus and Maximus Magnus. :whistle: In that backlash-battle, we can even view Fritigern and his comrades as the "good guys." And that is testament to Roman incompetence that extended forward from that date until the last whimper. :|

Adrianople was the Eastern Empire, the West wasn't directly affected by it until the 390's