Everything Everywhere Daily · Wednesday, August 26, 2026
The third century saw Rome weaken due to civil wars, invasions, and political instability, leading to the construction of the Aurelian Walls for defense. Emperor Constantine's founding of Constantinople in 330 AD shifted the empire's political focus away from Rome, and subsequent sacks by the Visigoths in 410 AD and Vandals in 455 AD accelerated its decline, with population crashing by the end of the fifth century.
“The Aurelian Walls constructed beginning around 271 reflected Rome's changing circumstances.”
“But Constantine also founded a new imperial capital at Constantinople in 330.”
“In 410, the Visigoths under Alaric entered and sacked Rome.”
“By the end of the fifth century, the population had crashed from 500,000 to 100,000.”