8. The Plight of the Roman Aristocracy
The collapse of Rome brought profound upheaval for the Roman aristocracy. Once-powerful families saw their political influence wane and their properties seized or destroyed. Many nobles fled to the safety of the Eastern Empire, while others retreated to isolated rural estates, seeking security far from the chaos of the cities. As JSTOR Daily notes, the old elite’s world unraveled, forever changing the social fabric of Europe.
