Just over 2000 years ago Rome was one of the most important cities in the world. With its numerous emperors and armies it had gained control of a vast area of ​​modern Europe known as the Roman Empire. Historians have linked several factors that led to the end of the Roman Empire, mostly associated with each other. Some of the reasons were the arrival of Christianity, lead poisoning and poor public health, political corruption with high military spending, high unemployment with increased inflation and taxation in the economy. It was a combination of these factors that ultimately led to the final fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD when the last emperor Augustulus Romulus was overthrown by a Germanic guard called Odoacer. Rome was a republic for almost 500 years where Julius Caesar was one of the most important generals until his assassination in 44 BC. Following Caesar's death a civil war broke out in which Roman generals fought among themselves until Octavian, Caesar's nephew , won in 27 BC He became the first Roman emperor and changed his name to Caesar Augustus and ruled until 14 AD He was declared God after his death. It was he who established the first Praetorian Guard as his bodyguard and it was with their support that he was able to tell the senate what to do. During his reign, Jesus was born in Palestine, which was occupied primarily by Jews, who believed there was only one God unlike the Romans who believed in many gods. Jesus gathered many followers who believed that he was the son of God and these people called themselves Christians. Tiberius, Caesar Augustus' stepson, took over as emperor after his death, he was the second emperor and thereafter many successful generals who used their armies to seize power became emperors. Many of these......middle of paper......Irish Educational Society, 2004.Gill, NS "The Fall of Rome. Why it fell." Ancient History About.com. January 31, 2012 .Heather, Peter. The fall of the Roman Empire. 2011. Sedivey. "The Decline of the Roman Empire". tripod.com. February 18, 2012 ."The collapse of the Roman Empire." Impero-Romano.net. February 18, 2012 ."The fall of ancient Rome." 2012. history learning site.co.uk. February 17, 2012 ."The fall of the Roman Empire." Rome.info. January 31, 2012 ."The fall of the Roman Empire." Explore theme.com. February 17 2012 .