Plight of Rome in the Fifth Century AD

"This volume examines the collapse of the western Roman Empire, and argues that the significant drop in war booty, agricultural productivity, and mineral resources from the early fifth century were are at the root of this collapse. As well as using literary sources, this volume focusses on the archaeological evidence available for the period, and argues that there is a noticeable decline in booty, economic product (arable and pastoral), and gold and silver mining, all of which was needed to underwrite urban building programmes, generate essential tax revenue to maintain military capability, and of course feed the population of Rome and support the imperial bureaucracy"--Provided by publisher.