4. The Shrinking of Urban Life
The collapse of Roman order triggered a dramatic depopulation of cities. Insecurity, economic turmoil, and the breakdown of services drove many to abandon urban centers for rural areas, seeking safety and sustenance. Urban culture, with its vibrant markets and public spaces, rapidly declined. Infrastructure—roads, aqueducts, and public buildings—fell into disrepair, as described by World History Encyclopedia. This retreat from city life marked a profound change in European society.
