This paper discusses how the success of the Roman Empire could be related to its downfall. The Roman Empire, as stated by the greatest historian Edward Gibbon, ".comprehended the fairest part of the earth and the most civilized portion of mankind." (Goode, 1998); its disintegration was caused largely by the underlying parasites, than what surfaced in historical records. Modern scholars have taken up the task of questioning some previously avoided reasons that set forth a quiet process of decline before it actually took place.

             HISTORICAL BACKGROUND.

             In the 5th Century, Italy was thrown in discord by the invasions of Goths (410) and later by Vandals leaving the empire devastated. The Mediterranean was robbed of her 5 centuries of peace as raiders and traders now took over her. Troubles continued through the next century, in shape of prolonged and lamentable wars between Goths and the forces of surviving East Romans or the Byzantines with their capital, Constantinople. With only a transitional victory of the Byzantinians, Italy was once again invaded by Germanic people, the Lombards. However, these people failed to capture the whole region and thus Italy was striped into divisions and extended contests henceforth. .

             THE DECLINE OF ROMAN EMPIRE.

             Many historians and archeologists have toyed with the decline of the Roman Empire. There have been arguments if it was a modernistic transformation of Roman Empire giving way to coming times or an overwhelming upheaval, reducing the glory of the Empire into centuries of Dark Age. However, an abrupt decline in Roman will, courage and culture as reflected by archeological findings, could not be effectively substantiated by modern thinkers who believe the 'decline' was actually a voluntary transformation.

             Most noticeably, the Roman Empire had evolved a system of government that valued civic virtue; this was squarely accountable for her brilliance and splendor.