The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE was a gradual process caused by multiple interconnected factors:

## Political Instability
- **Crisis of leadership**: Frequent assassinations and civil wars, with over 20 emperors in 50 years during the 3rd century
- **Division of the empire**: Split into Western and Eastern halves in 285 CE, weakening unified governance
- **Corruption**: Widespread bribery and incompetent leadership undermined effective administration

## Economic Decline
- **Debasement of currency**: Severe inflation from reducing silver content in coins
- **Heavy taxation**: Crushing tax burdens to fund the military and bureaucracy
- **Trade disruption**: Constant warfare damaged trade routes and commercial networks
- **Loss of agricultural production**: Wars and instability reduced farming output

## Military Problems
- **Overextension**: Borders became too vast to defend effectively
- **"Barbarization" of the army**: Increasing reliance on foreign mercenaries who lacked loyalty to Rome
- **Technological stagnation**: Failure to innovate while enemies adopted new tactics

## Barbarian Invasions
- **Gothic migrations** (376 CE onwards): Pressure from the Huns pushed Germanic tribes into Roman territory
- **Sack of Rome**: Multiple sackings (410, 455 CE) shattered Roman prestige
- **Loss of territories**: Gradual loss of provinces to Germanic kingdoms

## Social and Cultural Changes
- **Rise of Christianity**: Shift from traditional Roman values and civic religion
- **Loss of civic virtue**: Decline in traditional Roman military and public service values
- **Population decline**: Plagues, warfare, and economic hardship reduced population

These factors reinforced each other in a downward spiral that ultimately led to the deposition of the last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, in 476 CE.