Offers opposing views on the demise of the ancient Roman empire and some of the contributing factors.

Introduction : Rise and fall of ancient Rome -- Rome's near demise and temporary restoration -- Empire on the brink of collapse / A.H.M. Jones ; Emergence of the grimmer later Empire / Chris Scarre ; Constantine ensures the triumph of Christianity / John J. Norwich ; Problems and struggles of Constantine's successors / Michael Grant -- Disintegration of the western Empire -- Empire is permanently divided / Arthur E.R. Boak & William G. Sinnegin ; Huns terrorize Europe / Stewart Perowne ; Vandals sack Rome / Justine D. Randers-Pehrson ; Last western Roman emperors / J.B. Bury ; Rome's eastern sector survives as the Byzantine Empire / Mark Nadis ; Survival of Roman culture in the West / Charles Freeman -- Factors contributing to Rome's fall -- Gibbon opens the debate on Rome's fall / Edward Gibbon ; Western empire's economy deteriorated / F.W. Walbank ; Christianity undermined Rome's patriotic and military spirit / Michael Grant ; Army became undisciplined and ineffective / Pat Southern & Karen R. Dixon ; Barbarians overran the western Empire / J.B. Bury ; Rome's decline helped ensure the triumph of Western civilization / Chester G. Starr.