Historian A: Edward Gibbon – Economic Perspective "Gibbon argues that economic decline was a key factor in Rome's fall. He highlights heavy taxation, inflation, and economic stagnation as weakening the empire's ability to sustain its military and infrastructure. According to Gibbon, the financial strain led to social unrest and diminished the empire's capacity to defend itself, making economic issues central to the collapse. He emphasizes that economic decay undermined Rome's strength over several centuries."

Historian B: Mary Beard – Social and Political Perspective "Beard contends that the fall of Rome was primarily due to social and political factors, such as internal corruption, leadership crises, and shifting cultural values. She suggests that economic problems were a symptom rather than the cause of decline. For Beard, the weakening of civic identity and political instability led to Rome's inability to adapt, which was more decisive in its fall than merely financial issues."