Explore the tumultuous period of barbarian invasions and the decline of the Roman Empire in this 30-minute lecture from The Great Courses. Delve into Professor Damrosch's analysis of successive waves of invaders, focusing on the Huns led by Attila and their impact on Europe. Examine the Battle of Chalons, the sacking of Milan, and the subsequent founding of Venice. Investigate the role of the Vandals in further weakening the Empire and the final fall of the Western Roman Empire under Odoacer. Learn about the rise of monasticism in Egypt and its spread throughout Europe. Consider Gibbon's perspectives on these events, including his biased views on monasticism and the rapid succession of nine Roman emperors in just two decades. Reflect on 18th-century Western European attitudes and philosophical concerns about scientific advancements, and understand how the fall of the Eastern Empire set the stage for comprehending the Western Empire's decline.