Decline & Fall of the Roman Empire
The rich senatorial aristocrats in Rome itself became increasingly influential during the fifth century; they supported armed strength in theory, but did not wish to pay for it or to offer their own workers as army recruits.
The ineffectiveness of Roman military responses from Stilicho onwards has been described as "shocking", with little evidence of .. adequate training, discipline, pay, or supply.
The fifth-century Western emperors, with brief exceptions, were individuals incapable of ruling effectively.
Any of this ring any bells?