[gothic-l] Goths and the Crash of the West Roman Empire

[Bertil Haggman]

Tore and Ingemar,

Am continuing my Quigley based report on the downfall
of the West Roman empire. Its ideology was loosing allegiance
everywhere. Morale was evaporating. The economic system
was declining. The political system was finding it increasingly
difficult to get its orders obeyed. The social system was disintegrating.

New technology was needed and was available. Deep plowing with
properly harnessed draft animals by persons who would have
an interest in doing a good job because any additional output
arising from increased care would accrue to themselves. The
technology, however, was much better adapted to the well-watered
soils north of the Alps. The Mediterraenean soil was to thin and
watered seasonally for wintergrowing.

New military technology was also available: strong horses, stirrups,
and horseshoes, but this was an expensive technique in terms
of grain consumption. The areas north of the Alps were much better
suited with their productive grain fields and more adequate grasslands.
Much better than the faltering soils south of the Alps.

Looking forward to your comments.

Gothically

Bertil


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Access Your PC from Anywhere
It's Easy. It's Fast. - Free Download
http://us.click.yahoo.com/AxtVhB/6XkDAA/_ZuFAA/wWMplB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

You are a member of the Gothic-L list.  To unsubscribe, send a blank email to <gothic-l-unsubscribe at egroups.com>.

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/