Later Roman Empire

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Bust of Decius - Palazzo Nuovo - Musei Capitolini - Rome 2016 (3) (cropped)

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Venice – The Tetrarchs 03

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0 Gaius Flavius Valerius Constantinus - Palatino

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Later Roman Empire refers to the period in the history of the Roman Empire following the crisis of the third century, which ended with the ascension of Diocletian in 284 AD, and lasting until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. This era is characterized by significant transformations in the empire's political, military, economic, and cultural structures, leading to the establishment of the Byzantine Empire in the East, which continued to exist until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

History

The Later Roman Empire began with the reign of Diocletian, who implemented a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing the empire. These reforms included the division of the empire into the Tetrarchy, with two senior emperors (Augusti) and two junior emperors (Caesares) ruling different regions. This system was intended to address the empire's vast size and the numerous challenges it faced, including external invasions, internal rebellions, and economic instability.

Diocletian's reforms also extended to the military, with the creation of a more mobile field army (comitatenses) and stationary border troops (limitanei). Economically, he attempted to control inflation through the issuance of a new currency and the Edict on Maximum Prices. Despite these efforts, many of Diocletian's economic reforms were unsuccessful in the long term.

The Tetrarchy eventually collapsed, leading to a period of civil wars, which ended with the victory of Constantine the Great at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. Constantine's reign marked several significant changes, including the conversion of the empire to Christianity, the foundation of Constantinople as a "New Rome," and the establishment of a single emperor ruling the entire empire.

Following Constantine's death, the empire was again divided among his sons, leading to further internal conflicts. However, the empire remained relatively stable and prosperous during the 4th century, especially in the East.

The situation deteriorated in the 5th century, with the Western Roman Empire facing increasing pressure from Germanic tribes, including the Visigoths, Vandals, and Ostrogoths. The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD and the Vandal capture of Carthage in 439 AD were significant blows to the empire's prestige and power. The Western Roman Empire officially came to an end in 476 AD when the last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed by the Germanic chieftain Odoacer.

Culture and Society

The Later Roman Empire saw significant cultural and societal changes, including the spread of Christianity, which became the state religion under Theodosius I. The Christianization of the empire had profound effects on Roman society, art, and architecture, leading to the construction of numerous churches and the repurposing of pagan temples.

The period also witnessed the continuation and adaptation of Roman law, with the compilation of the Corpus Juris Civilis under Justinian I in the 6th century, which would have a lasting impact on European legal systems.

Legacy

The legacy of the Later Roman Empire is complex, marking both the decline of ancient Roman civilization in the West and the transformation into the Byzantine Empire in the East. The Byzantine Empire preserved many aspects of Roman law, culture, and administration, serving as a bridge between the ancient and medieval worlds.