How bad was the fall of the Western Roman Empire for the common people?

by MissNixit

I've grown up with this idea that the fall of Rome was the end of the world, but is that really true? Was it total anarchy for however long, or is our understanding of that period warped?

chocolatepot

While there is always more to be said, there was a recent thread about the "fall of Rome" and its effect on everyday life:

How was knowledge ‘lost’ after the fall of Rome?

I would particularly point to the responses written by /u/bitparity and /u/grashnak, and would recommend the thread linked in one answer, with responses by bitparity and /u/Tiako.