Michael Arnheim - Why Rome Fell

Dr. Michael Arnheim

Barrister at Law

Sometime Fellow of St John’s College

Cambridge, UK

FIRST EDITION

This edition first published 2022

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Arnheim, M. T. W. (Michael T. W.), author.

Title: Why Rome fell : decline and fall, or drift and change? / Michael Arnheim.

Description: Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2022. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021038734 (print) | LCCN 2021038735 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119691372 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119691396 (pdf) | ISBN 9781119691389 (epub) | ISBN 9781119691341 (obook)

Subjects: LCSH: Rome--History. | Rome--Historiography. | Rome--Politics and government.

Classification: LCC DG209 .A76 2022 (print) | LCC DG209 (ebook) | DDC 945.6/32--dc23/eng/20211015

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021038734LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021038735

Cover image: Jugate busts of Constantine (laureate) and Sol Invictus (radiate) on seven-solidus gold coin minted in 313 CE (Public domain)

Cover design by Wiley

Set in 11.5/14pt STIXTwoText by Integra Software Services, Pondicherry, India

POSUI DEUM ADIUTOREM MEUM

To the Sacred Memory of My Beloved Parents

Dr Wilhelm Arnheim (1901–75)

A wise medical doctor and true polymath, with the driest sense of humor

and

Mrs. Vicky Arnheim (1905–90)

A brilliant musician, gifted teacher,dedicated social organizer,

Great cook, and loving mother

and

To the sacred memory of my beloved grandmother, “Oma”

Mrs. Martha Arnheim (1875–1965)

An eternally cheerful and optimistic, courageous spirit,

who taught me German, and whose wonderful humorous tales

Of the old Germany will remain with me always.

1 Cover

2 Title page Why Rome Fell Decline and Fall, or Drift and Change? Dr. Michael Arnheim Barrister at Law Sometime Fellow of St John’s College Cambridge, UK FIRST EDITION

3 Copyright

4 Dedication

5 About the Author

6 Preface

7 Introduction

8 PART I: TRANSITION FROM THE ANCIENT TO THE MEDIEVAL WORLD AND BEYOND 1. Rome: From Monarchy to Monarchy 2. Diocletian: Hammer of the Aristocracy 3. Constantine the Reformer 4. The Christian Empire 5. Continuity and Change 6. Two Models of Government

9 PART II: CONFLICTING THEORIES Prologue to Part II 7. Varieties of History 8. Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 9. The Malaria Hypothesis 10. The Role of Religion 11. The Pirenne Thesis 12. “Late Antiquity“ 13. Assassination or Accommodation?

10 PART III: ENVOI 14. Conclusion

11 Glossary

12 List of Primary Sources and Abbreviations

13 Select Bibliography

14 Index

15 End User License Agreement

1 Cover

2 Title page Why Rome Fell Decline and Fall, or Drift and Change? Dr. Michael Arnheim Barrister at Law Sometime Fellow of St John’s College Cambridge, UK FIRST EDITION

3 Copyright

4 Dedication

5 About the Author

6 Preface

7 Table of Contents

8 Begin Reading

9 Glossary

10 List of Primary Sources and Abbreviations

11 Select Bibliography

12 Index

13 End User License Agreement

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