The Fall of Rome

‘A skilled storyteller, Holmes presents a riveting account of the wars, intrigues and personalities that contributed to Rome’s decline, with entire chapters devoted to single battles.’ Kirkus Reviews

WHY DID ROME FALL?

In this gripping retelling of one of the most momentous chapters in history, Nick Holmes presents a new interpretation of an old story. The fate of Rome was decided not just by emperors, soldiers and barbarians but also by an environmental disaster.

A catastrophic megadrought on the Asian steppes in the fourth century AD forced the migration of entire peoples - Huns, Goths, Vandals and others - west into the Roman Empire. They met an empire weakened from war with Persia. Rome’s misfortunes multiplied as it made tactical errors on the battlefield. Civil war, religious unrest and political incompetence compounded a worsening situation. The result was one of the greatest disasters in the ancient world - the sack of Rome by the Goths in AD 410.

This is the second book in a multi-volume series on the Fall of the Roman Empire. The first book, The Roman Revolution, describes ‘the crisis of the third century’ and Rome’s adoption of Christianity. The third book, due out later in 2023, will continue with the fall of the western empire and the rise of Attila the Hun.

Praise for The Roman Revolution and other books by Nick Holmes
“An enlightening and lively interpretation of an important but neglected historical period.” Kirkus Reviews about The Roman Revolution.
“Clear, succinct and compelling…” AudioFile Magazine about The Byzantine World War.
“A thrilling blend of historical rigor and dramatic storytelling.” Kirkus Reviews about The Byzantine World War.