English articles (a, an, the) Exercise 3

Decline and Fall of Roman Empire

complexity of problem of decline and fall of the Roman Empire is made evident by wide variety of causes that are emphasized in varying degrees by different authors.

Fortunately, concise formulation of Edward Gibbon serves as widely accepted basis for modern discussion of problem.

According to Gibbon, empire reached its peak during administration of two Antonines.

After that, however, extent of Roman conquest became too great to be managed by Roman government, and decline began.

military government was weakened and finally dissolved as barbarians were allowed to constitute ever-growing percentage of Roman legions.

victorious legions began to dominate and corrupt government, weakening it at time when it most needed strength to overcome other problems.