On the contrary, it was after the system began breaking down that the empire was no longer able to disperse the incoming tribes the way it had for centuries pri

On the contrary, it was after the system began breaking down that the empire was no longer able to disperse the incoming tribes the way it had for centuries prior and needed them to behave as vassals due to the lack of means both to effectively impose leadership and to govern effectively. This coincides with a more general increase in the number and autonomy of provinces throughout the empire for similar reasons.