It begins with the expansion of major religions, especially Christianity and Islam; reaches its peak in the Middle Ages with the rise of the Church, theology, and religious institutions
Will Durant recounts the last major attempt to revive paganism in the Roman Empire through Julian, nephew of Constantine. After Constantine's death, the empire was divided among his sons, leading to civil war. Julian, raised as a Christian, turned to paganism in his youth. Appointed Caesar of Gaul, he defeated the Germans and restored the province. In 360 he was proclaimed emperor and sought to restore paganism: reopening temples, cutting state support for the Church, and organizing a "church" of paganism. He waged war against Persia but was killed in 363. His death ended the final serious effort to restore the old religion and accelerated Christianity's complete victory.
A detailed examination of the internal and external factors that led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire between 325 and 476 AD. This article analyzes the threatened borders, the role of barbarian invasions by Goths, Vandals, and Huns, the efforts of saving emperors, the economic and social decline of Italy, and the successive sacks of Rome, based on Will Durant’s historical narrative.
