The downfall of the Western Roman Empire is attributed to a combination of internal and external factors, with economic instability being central among them. Heavy taxation, reliance on slave labor, and inflation weakened the economy, leading to a decline in trade and agricultural productivity. Simultaneously, political corruption, poor leadership, and infighting among elites eroded state authority. Externally, invasions by barbarian tribes, such as the Visigoths and Vandals, exploited Rome's weakened defenses, culminating in the sack of Rome in 410 AD. These multifaceted pressures, exacerbated by a failure to effectively manage societal changes, ultimately led to the empire's collapse in 476 AD.