to cease the thrown and its governing power. They began “ neglecting its duty of defending its borders and disrupted the eternal life of the Empire.”(10) Although they continued to fight in well framed units, their overall will to train and discipline required for fighting was almost unnoticeable. Emperors continued to play a negative role in the allotment of foreigners to take control. In Piganiol's essay he mentions that the, “emperors disarmed the citizens and trusted the defense of the empire to mercenaries.”(11) Valens was a clear example of the corruption in the higher class of the empire. He was active in suppressing the lives of officers, whereby he defrauded men of their portions, clothes and military equipment. Favoritism towards the barbarian units of the army, corruption towards the state and its people, gives ample reason why such a revolt in the Roman army occurred. Towards the end of the empire the Roman army's qualities deteriorated. The legions failed to defend borders, the army began to consist predominately of the peasants (citizenship issue). The change in the soldiers attitude explains in the lack of loyalty to Rome and the lack of leadership in military leaders. In conclusion, the Roman army defeated itself. It began as a powerhouse but by some uncontrollable and ignorant errors it collapsed. It was violated internally by the emperors and their soldiers and externally by the barbarous tribes. The lack of soldier loyalty to Rome, began with the lack of Rome loyalty towards soldiers. By allowing citizenship to almost anyone it negated the importance the higher class society had in Rome. Almost anyone could be a Roman soldier, almost anyone could have access to arms and almost anyone could use these arms in their favor. The allowance of the German entrance in the army introduced doubt in the mind of the veteran soldiers. Therefore, Rome hurt itself. One does not know if it could have continued...
