Does the Roman Empire Still Exist Today? It May - Even in Your Neighborhood

There are many theories about why the RomanThere is one theory, that is often over looked. This
Empire collapsed. Some say that their economy, whichtheory holds that the Roman Empire is still alive, and
was largely driven by tributes from conqueredthriving today, stronger, wealthier, and more influential
kingdoms and smaller empires, expanded to the pointthan ever. And it was all due to a shift in policy back to
where their income was far surpassed by their312, when Constantine converted to Christianity. Some
spending. In short, they spent more in Rome than theybelieve that when Christianity became the official
received through their conquests.religion of the Roman Empire, holding the seat of
Others will argue that their military stronghold over theirpower of the Roman Catholic Church, it changed its
surrounding areas expanded too much to be effective,strategy.
leaving Rome itself open to enemies who wereThe new Holy Roman Empire slowly shifted from a
waiting at their front door for such an opportunity.military and political organization into a religious one.
When the Gauls sacked Rome in 387 AD and thenFrom conquering people with weapons and
again by the Visigoths in 410 AD, it became clear todestruction, it took a subtler tactic, of persuading minds
Roman authorities that their city was not asand societies. As the power held by the Emperors of
impenetrable as they had previously thought.Rome slowly shifted into the hands of the Pope, the
Many scholars argue regarding the exact date of theRome slowly made its transition.
fall of the Roman Empire. Many agree it happenedSoon the Roman Catholic Church would do what the
relatively early, claiming 476 as the official date. OthersRoman Empire never could. Control all of Europe, and
claim it happened much later, in 1453 at the fall ofsend ships with priests and men with guns out across
Constantinople.the vast oceans to conquer and convert millions.