The Fall of the Roman Empire

The epic story of the inevitable fall of Rome's glory

In The Fall of the Roman Empire, Peter Heather skillfully weaves a captivating tale of an ancient and long-lasting superpower that crumbled within the short space of a century. Its downfall was not instigated by massive rebellions or towering foes but by a small group of German-speaking asylum-seekers who audaciously defeated a vast Roman army and killed an Emperor, slowly eroding the bedrock of an empire that stood tall for over four hundred years.

Heather's engaging narrative exposes the intricate dynamics that culminated in the empire's fateful decline. This extraordinary story pierces the glamour of the gilded imperial court, and delves into Rome's interactions with Europe's barbarians, who, after centuries of contact, gradually weakened and eventually dismantled the empire.

Hailed as 'triumphant' and 'fascinating', The Fall of the Roman Empire offers a masterful blend of meticulous analysis and vivid storytelling, providing fresh insights into an enigmatic chapter of history that continues to captivate the minds of historians and enthusiasts alike.

Auteur

Peter Heather

Résumé
In AD 378 the Roman Empire had been the unrivalled superpower of Europe for well over four hundred years. And yet, August that year saw a small group of German-speaking asylum-seekers rout a vast Imperial army at Hadrianople, killing the Emperor and establishing themselves on Roman territory. Within a hundred years the last Emperor of the Western Empire had been deposed. What had gone wrong? In this ground breaking book, Peter Heather proproses a stunning new solution to one of the greatest mysteries of history. Mixing authoratative analysis with thrilling narrative, he brings fresh insight into the panorama of the empire's end, from the bejewelled splendour of the imperial court to the dripping forests of &quote;Barbaricum&quote;. He examines the extraordinary success story that was the Roman Empire and uses a new understanding of its continued strength and enduring limitations to show how Europe's barbarians, transformed by centuries of contact with Rome, eventually pulled it apart. 'a colourful and enthralling narrative . . .an account full of keen wit and an infectious relish for the period. Independent On Sunday provides the reader with drama and lurid colour as well as analysis . . . succeeds triumphantly. Sunday Times a fascinating story, full of ups and downs and memorable characters Spectator bursting with action . . .one can recommend to anyone, whether specialist or interested amateur. History Today 'a rare combination of scholarship and flair for narrative' Tom Holland