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The idea that Rome fell was fabricated by Greek scholars a century after it supposedly occured. It was a propagandistic tool to justify their invasion. The fall of Rome was caused by Greeks invading Gothic Italy and plunging it into the dark ages. The dark ages were then ended when the Franks took over Italy.
The rule of the Goths and the Franks were a rennaisance. No one in Italy complained when Odoacer took over the throne. No one lamented that the Roman Empire were supposedly gone now, rather, live in Rome continued on as normal. Instead of the weak Augustulus, who was just a tool of his father, a general of Germanic descent now happened to rule over them. The roman Senate continued to hold their sessions as normal until the Greek invasion devastated Italy. The fact that the germanic character of the western roman leadership was the target of Greek Propaganda does not hold up, as other people of "Roman Descent" previously held position of Imperial Power. The truth of the matter is that none of those germanic leaders, be it Odoacer or Theoderic were any less roman than the latinised greek leadership of the east.
Certainly, the legend of the “Fall of Rome” does not hold up to scrutinity, and closer research showcases its political and propagandistic origins. It wasn't until the 12th century that this legend was picked up on in the west, by the very same humanists that used Carolingian Manuscripts to showcase that very pre-germanic Roman Empire's supposed glory.
