fall of the Roman Empire

**The Wandering Scholar** · 02-08-2008, 17:04

I understand lead was used in many things but lead to be a cause of the fall of the roman empire?

**macsen rufus** · 02-08-2008, 18:06

"Lead poisoning killed the Romans" is probably the world's oldest Urban Myth... no doubt lead is a health hazard, but lead plumbing was also used in plenty of other times and places without societal collapse. I'd put a lot more trust in imperial over-extension, decadence, barbarians/migrations and internal political instability

**The Wandering Scholar** · 02-08-2008, 21:45

our huh? Are you a Roman?

**Upxl** · 02-11-2008, 00:40

Now here's is a fine site to brush up on Rome's history

link

**Spartan198** · 02-11-2008, 01:10

Well,I don't know about the lead poisoning or morality issues,but one reason Rome fell was that the empire grew too big for the Roman army to police. Splitting the empire was somewhat of a partial cure,as the Eastern Roman Empire lived on for another millenium or so.

**Gaius Scribonius Curio** · 02-11-2008, 03:59

Major reasons were overextension, political infighting, morality and decadence, and barbarian tribes running west from the 'Scourge of God' among others.

Pretty much I agree with Rufus.