The End of the Western Roman Empire - Mia Grant

 The End of the Western Roman Empire

Constantine had reunited the Roman Empire and restored a semblance of order. After his death, however, the empire continued to divide into western and eastern parts as fighting erupted on a regular basis between elements of the Roman army backing the claims of rival emperors. By 395, the western and eastern parts of the empire became virtually two independent states. In the course of the fifth century, the empire in the east remained intact under the Roman emperor in Constantinople. At the same time, the administrative structure of the empire in the west collapsed and was replaced by an assortment of Germanic kingdoms. The process was a gradual one, beginning with the movement of Germans into the empire.

 

Although the Romans had established a series of political frontiers along the Rhine and Danube Rivers, Romans and Germans often came into contact across these boundaries. Until the fourth century, the empire had proved capable of absorbing these people without harm to its political structure. In the late fourth century, the Germanic tribes came under new pressure when the Huns, a fierce tribe of nomads from the steppes of Asia, moved into the Black Sea region, possibly attracted by the riches of the empire.


One of the groups displaced by the Huns was the Visigoths. They moved south and west, crossed the Danube into Roman territory, and became Roman allies. But the Visigoths soon revolted. The Roman attempt to stop them at Adrianople in 378 led to a crushing defeat for Rome.


Increasing numbers of Germans now crossed the frontiers. In 410 the Visigoths sacked Rome and then moved into Spain and Gaul. The Vandals poured into southern Spain and Africa and ravaged Rome in 455. By the middle of the fifth century, the western provinces of the Roman Empire had been taken over by Germanic peoples who were in the process of creating independent kingdoms. At the same time, a semblance of imperial authority remained in Rome. The real power behind the throne, however, tended to rest in the hands of important military officials known as Masters of the Soldiers. These military commanders controlled the government and dominated the imperial court.

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