By the second century AD, the Roman Empire measured nearly 3,000 miles from east to west and nearly 2,000 miles from north to south, with a total area of ​​approximately half of the total area of ​​the Roman Empire. Continental United States. Its population at this time, at its peak under Augustus, had increased from 50 million to 70 million. At the time, only the Chinese Empire had a population comparable to that of the Roman Empire, and no other human group under a single government was as large as these two. The era of “decline and fall” began with the death of Marcus Aurelius. in 180 AD, when the great era of the Pax Romana ended. There is evidence from scholars who wrote hundreds of volumes on the problems facing the empire, suggesting that several weakening forces were at work. By the middle of the third century, the combination of dwindling resources, political divisions, and growing barbarian strength caused the Roman Empire to begin its demise. The empire seemed on the verge of collapse, as a result. of civil wars as barbarian tribal confederations devastated the empire from Gaul to the Black Sea, as well as Spain and Greece pillaged by barbarian warbands. A resurrected Persian kingdom overthrew the Parthian kingdom in the east, and these same rulers sought to revive the great empire of previous centuries. Persia, at the expense of Rome, ravaged the provinces of the Middle East. With these events taking place, the entire empire seemed on the verge of collapse. Rescue of the failing Roman Empire finally came, in 284 AD, when the ruler Diocletian came to power. Unlike the rulers who preceded him, he had the insight and luck to survive, as a determined visionary in the middle of a paper in the service of the new rulers, the Germanic kings. History normally has its way of providing proof of the way things are really supposed to be. Critics might conclude that the “fall of Rome” could have been avoided. Of course, "if a bullfrog had wings, it wouldn't hit its tail when it jumped," in other words, it is what it is. Naturally, the “fall of Rome” could have been avoided. I firmly believe in destiny, and when you look at all the barbaric and economic problems the Romans faced, it would have been nothing short of a miracle for them to overcome these adversities. For me, the fall of Rome was really meant to happen, and I didn't take it lightly, but life went on. It was truly a fascinating journey for all who participated, into the trenches of an era that truly shaped the world for centuries. Works Cited A Brief History of the WESTERN WORLD