According to Edward Gibbon, in his classic work, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, there were five major causes for the decline and fall of the Roman empire. 1. The breakdown of the family and the increase of divorce. 2. The spiraling rise of taxes and extravagant spending. 3. The mounting desire for pleasure and the brutalization of sports. 4. The continual production of armaments to face ever increasing threats of enemy attacks. 5. The decay of religion into many confusing forms, leaving the people without a uniform faith. It is very significant that these factors exist today.