The Fall of the Roman Empire

A rare combination of scholarship and flair for narrative. With this book, a powerful searchlight has been shone upon the shadow-dimmed end of Rome's western empire' - Tom Holland a brilliant mixture of rapid flowing narrative and deeply thought analysis - Paul Cartledge

A major new narrative account of one of history's greatest and most epic mysteries: the strange death 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.