When did the Roman Empire fall (your thoughts)?

[starman2012]

And why did Pompey lose with his vastly superior force? Because Caesar's troops were battle-hardened veterans with ten years experience.

Or because Caesar was a better general.

The civil wars of the fourth century were more destructive than any from the preceding centuries. Bigger wars = bigger losses.

I don't think civil wars necessarily degraded combat power, provided there were ample replacements. Logdunum must've been very rough on the Severan army but it took Parthia's capital not one year later.

The worst idea came after Stilicho was executed. Olympius had the federate troops' families massacred which promted the soldiers to switch allegiance to Alaric.

It was awful dumb to alienate them. Without stilicho's troops, the West seemed helpless before alaric. Its losses were his gains.