The Fall of the Roman Empire During the 1st and 2nd centuries the Roman army was continuously expanding and gaining strength, bringing power and fame to its Empire. But as time passed one of the most powerful and well- organized armies of the world started to fall bringing down with it, one of the most well-known Empires in history. The Roman army needed 30,000 new recruits every year. Yet, because of the low pay offered there were not too many volunteers. And because of the aristocratic government of that time, the average citizen felt that since he had no say in government that he had no reason to defend his empi