When did the Roman Empire fall (your thoughts)?

[starman2012]

I was under the impression that he purposefully avoided the city. So, I learn something. Thanks Tim!

Why didn't you hit the "thank you" button in my post? So far I've gotten just 3.

In my above lengthy explanatory text I did note the rise of the Severan Emperors, who open the tumultuous era,

By "tumultuous era" you mean the third century crises? Things didn't really go to pieces until some time after the death of Alexander in 235.

Speaking only of the western part of the Empire, this disintegrated only well after the Roman oligarchies left it aside concentrating in the rich-producing East. The fall of Rome was actually the well-expected result of total abandonment of the city decades if not a century and a half before.

From what I've read the aristocracy in the west was "incredibly wealthy" c 400 CE. Rome itself was still rich in the fifth century, or it wouldn't have been such a lucrative target for Alaric and the Vandals.