From the 3rd century, the empire suffered from internal division and external pressure. It split into East and West in 395 CE, and the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE.
The Crisis of the Empire (3rd Century)
- Era of soldier emperors: civil wars in which about 20 emperors changed in 50 years
- Invasions by Germanic tribes, economic exhaustion, and the spread of epidemics
- Emperor Diocletian rebuilt the empire by establishing rule by four leaders
The Division into East and West and the Fall of the Western Roman Empire
After the death of Emperor Theodosius in 395 CE, the empire split into East (capital: Constantinople) and West (capital: Ravenna).
The Western Roman Empire weakened as invasions by Germanic tribes continued. In 476 CE, Odoacer, a Germanic commander of mercenaries, deposed the last emperor, and the Western Roman Empire fell.
The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire continued until 1453.
After the death of Emperor Theodosius in 395 CE, the empire split into East (capital: Constantinople) and West (capital: Ravenna).
The Western Roman Empire weakened as invasions by Germanic tribes continued. In 476 CE, Odoacer, a Germanic commander of mercenaries, deposed the last emperor, and the Western Roman Empire fell.
The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire continued until 1453.
Key Points
- Division into East and West in 395 CE: the Eastern (Byzantine) Empire and the Western Roman Empire
- Fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE = the end of antiquity and the beginning of the Middle Ages
- The Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire survived until 1453
Practice Questions
- State the year in which the Western Roman Empire fell.
- Where was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?
- State the name of the Germanic commander of mercenaries who brought down the Western Roman Empire.
Answers
- 476 CE
- Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul)
- Odoacer