By: James Quinn Jul 30, 2009 “The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight.” - Edward Gibbon – The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire After ruling much of the known world for centuries, Rome fell due to a nu