Western Roman Empire

Western Roman Empire

The Western Roman Empire was the western division of the Roman Empire which existed from 395 AD until its fall in 476 AD. This period is traditionally known as the Migration Period, or the Dark Ages, because the fall of the empire was associated with significant social, cultural, and economic changes.

History

The Western Roman Empire was established in 395, following the death of Theodosius I, the last emperor to rule a united Roman Empire. The empire was divided between his two sons, with Honorius receiving the western half, which included Italy, Gaul, Hispania, and Africa. The eastern half, including Greece, Egypt, and Asia Minor, went to Arcadius.

The Western Roman Empire faced significant challenges from the start, including economic instability, military pressure from Germanic tribes, and internal political struggles. Despite these challenges, the empire managed to survive for nearly a century.

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

The fall of the Western Roman Empire is traditionally dated to 476 AD, when Odoacer, a Germanic chieftain, deposed Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor in the west. Odoacer ruled Italy as a king, marking the end of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages in western Europe.

Legacy

The fall of the Western Roman Empire had profound effects on the history of Europe. It marked the end of ancient history and the beginning of the Middle Ages. The empire's fall also led to the fragmentation of western Europe into a number of small, independent kingdoms, setting the stage for the political landscape of the Middle Ages.

See also

• Eastern Roman Empire
• Fall of the Western Roman Empire
• Migration Period
• Dark Ages