Question: How did each civilization fall despite being so mighty at their peak of power?
Ancient Rome Ancient Rome fell in 476 A.D., but the Byzantine Empire emerged from it's eastern half at the time of it's descent. One of the major reasons for Rome's descent was the rise of the Byzantine to the east. Economic troubles also contributed to the fall of Rome. Over expansion of the empire didn't help, because while resources were mainly strained outside of the border trying to gain land and provinces, there were barely any resources on home soil protecting from invaders. This is one example of the political instability throughout Rome at the time of it's fall. Christianity was also a problem for Ancient Rome. Ancient Rome's descent was well in the works by 476 A.D.
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Ancient Greece Although there are many theories as to why Ancient Greece fell, it is believed by most that Ancient Greece was conquered by Ancient Rome in 146 B.C.Throughout the Hellenistic period, Greece was on it's way to demise. When Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C., the Hellenistic period began, and the decline began. The only true accomplishment that occurred during the Hellenistic time period was Euclid's writing the Elements, a mathematic writing that lasted for centuries. As Ancient Rome gained power, Ancient Greece fell apart. Ancient Greece was conquered in lack of a strong and powerful leader.
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Comparison
The falls of both the Ancient Roman and Ancient Greek civilizations were solely based off of lack. For the Ancient Romans, it was a lack of effort to evenly distribute their army, and lack of effort in general. They figured that they had so many conquests and accomplishments, that they put themselves into auto-pilot, and did whatever they wanted. Over time, they became more and more lazy, and eventually tripped up and were taken over.The Ancient Greeks, however, had a much more graceful downfall. Their greatest leader, Alexander the Great died, and the civilization never fully recovered, Both civilizations had a downfall that was never avenged.