The Roman military can be viewed as one of the greatest army ever. However, 

around the end of the Fourth and the beginning of the Fifth Century, the military 

began to deteriorate. Many things contributed to the military cause of the fall 

of the Roman Empire. These things include military problems within the army, 

military tactics and decisions, and barbarian attacks. Some of the military problems

was the low funds for the army and problems in recruiting soldiers. A problem in the

tactics and decisions was that the military often recruited barbarians for the Roman 

Army. These barbarians could not be trusted. The barbarian attacks helped deteriorate 

the army in which there were constant attacks on the Empire. In fact, the city of 

Rome was sacked many times! 

     Below is an outline as to the military causes for the decline of the Roman Empire. 

Click here to go to the outline. Click on any of the subheadings to get more information 

about that area. Click here to go to the Works Cited Page.

 I.   Introduction: The Roman Army’s decisions, tactics and problems that
                    contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.

 II.  Military Problems
      A. Low funds for the army 

      B. Recruitment Problems
 III.	Military Decisions and Tactics
      A. Recruitment of Barbarians for low pay

      B. Men tried to avoid the draft

      C. Government forced people to join the Roman Army
 IV. 	Barbarians Begin to Take Over the Empire
      A. Barbarianized Army

      B. Barbarians take advantage of the unorganized army

      C. Barbarians engaged in battles with the Romans

      D. Pressure from the Huns in the east

      E. Invasion by Germanic tribes and Huns

      F. The Western Empire falls to the barbarians
 V. 	Conclusion: Poor military decisions and how it led to the defeat of the
                 Roman Empire by the barbarians
Click here for the "Works Cited page.

Click here for more information (links).